‘’You enter a dark cavern. The floor is damp,and the air smells like mildew. Ahead, you hear something growling. What do you do?’’
You’ve probably asked yourself this question before: What is DnD? And believe it or not, every single one of us asked ourselves the same thing, when we first heard about it. My first time hearing about it was in ‘The Big Bang Theory’, where Sheldon and his friend got together multiple times to play DnD. And then I started researching and I immediately knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. You can be a part of the DnD world as well. All you have to do is keep reading this post!
What Is DnD?
Dungeons & Dragons, or just ‘DnD’ for short, is a tabletop roleplaying game – also known as a TTRPG. It is a game where you and your friends live out a story together, with your imagination being the only limit. It takes place in a fantasy world, which is usually created by the person leading your game. And unlike regular board games or video games, DnD doesn’t have a fixed goal or a winner. The only goal is to have fun!
How To Play DnD?
Playing when you don’t even know what is DnD, can seem intimidating at first. A lot of information starts coming your way and you could feel like it’s just too much. But once you start it’s really not that complicated.
Each of the players controls a character with its own story. Usually the players create their own characters, but sometimes you can take control of an already existing character. One person is the Dungeon Master – or just the ‘DM’ for short. They guide the story and narrate what happens in the world around you. They also control all the side characters and enemies you might run into while progressing. Whenever you have a question about how something works or you just need help, you can ask the DM to help you out.
Your every interaction with the world has its consequences. Will you sneak your way past the guards? Will you fight them? Or maybe you’ll try to talk your way out of the situation. The choice is always yours and the outcome of your choices depends on your dice throws. The more ‘difficult’ your choice is to execute, the higher you will have to roll, for it to succeed.
Who Can Play DnD?
Oh, and the best thing is? Anyone can play DnD! Fou don’t need to be a fantasy nerd, actor, or an actual wizard. All you need to get started is:
- A few friends (but you can make 1-on-1 games work too!)
- Some dice (or a free dice roller app)
- A character sheet with all the information about your character (many online tools like D&D Beyond help with this)
- A little curiosity and creativity
You can gather around a table with your friends, or you can all hop into a Discord call and play online. There are many virtual tabletops like Roll20, which help with online play.
Final Thoughts
DnD is not just a game. It can be a doorway to incredible stories, unforgettable moments, and deep new friendships. I’ve made some of my best friends because of DnD, so I can truly say it is worth giving it a try.
And if you’re still asking ‘What is DnD really?’, then the best way to find out is to whip up a character, grab some dice, gather your friends, and start playing!