As far as table top games go, Dungeons & Dragons is the grandfather of them all. Having been enjoyed for decades by young and old alike, D&D offers you the opportunity to escape into a magical world filled with intrigue and mysticism. D&D is more than a hobby – it’s a way of life for some, and has spawned a whole subculture of fans and captured imaginations across the world.
Here’s our guide on how to start a D&D hobby with your friends.
1. Get started
D&D is full of intricacies, and for that reason, getting into the game when you’ve never played before can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are only a few things you really need in order to play: a rule book, dice and pencils and paper. All these things are available in easy to use starter packs for the uninitiated, but once you become a more experienced player you can take your gameplay further and paint your own 3D D&D figurines to enhance your gameplay. Once you roll the dice, you’ll be setting off on an adventure you’ll never forget.
2. Begin your first campaign
The gameplay of D&D is centered around campaigns, which are the stories that contain all of the action and adventure that you signed up for. The rules of campaigns can be tailored so that you can do pretty much anything you want to do within the game, giving you endless possibilities to carry out your mission. However, there’s a lot of detail that goes into building the perfect campaign and it might be a little too much for first timers. Luckily, there are many pre-written adventures and pre-made characters out there for you, including one that comes with the starter set.
3. Up the ante and become the dungeon master
The dungeon master, or DM, is the player who narrates and guides the gameplay, however, this doesn’t mean that you need to know all the rules. In fact, very few DMs know every intricate detail of the game, and that’s what makes it so different each time you play. If you’re imaginative and enigmatic, becoming a DM might be the perfect opportunity for you to explore your love of storytelling. The best way to start your path to becoming a DM is to begin by using the pre-written campaigns to develop your storytelling and world building style. After that, it will come naturally.
4. Savor your friendships
One of the best aspects of D&D is that it brings people together. Because campaigns run for several weeks or even months at a time, you will end up spending quality time with your D&D group and your friendships will be super strong because of it. The game play might be awkward when you first start playing, but that’s only because everyone is learning. However, once you settle into the swing of things, you’ll find that your D&D community is like a second family.
Dungeons & Dragons has been captivating the imaginations of players for a long time, and there’s no time like the present to start playing. You might have been thinking about starting a campaign for a while now, but weren’t sure where to start. By following our handy guide on getting started in D&D, you’ll be slaying dragons in no time.
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