What is needed to play D&D?

1. One or a few maps: This is the place where the miniatures go. It is used to signify your terrain. There are rocks, trees, lakes, mountains, caves, ect...that can be used by the players for knowing where they are in relation to their surroundings. These maps also have small hexagons that are used to determine movement rates as discussed in the How To Play D&D page.

2. DM's handbook: This book allows the Dungeon Master to basically make the game happen. It contains all of the information needed to simulate a virtual environment such as the D&D world. The DM's handbook is essential for playing the game.

3. Players handbook: This book is used by the players to choose their character and get all the available information on that character. It also teaches all the details of how D&D works, and is 320 pages long. It just goes to show you how much it takes to play this game; but don't be discouraged. The group I play in only uses a little more than half of that book's rules and it still works.

4. Monsters manual: This is used by the DM to choose which creatures are fighting you. It also has all the needed information about the creatures.

5. Miniatures: These are small metal or plastic figures of different characters, They are used simply to represent each player.

6. Dice: The dice used in D&D are not normal dice at all. For information on them, see the Facts About D&D page


These things can be found in almost any sci-fi, video game, and comic stores...That is...all except for the maps. Ever since TSR Inc. stopped producing maps, it's been harder and harder to find them, and they're getting more expensive. You can also buy blank miniatures, which are just all one color, so u can customize and paint them to fit your preferations. Also, many other books on D&D have been produced to further the experience of the game, but are not necessarely required for the game, such as the novels staring the D&D famous/infamous Dark Elf, Drizzt.


How to get supplies if you're a cheap bastard

Map: Use a large, white wipe board(marker-erasable) with a ruler to measure distances for movement rates, and some different coloured markers to distinguish altitude. You could also use this -Blank Hexagon Map- You can laminate this and write on it with erasable markers.

Miniatures: Use War Hammer, Hero Quest, or any miniatures you have lying around, they are much less expensive, in greater numbers, and easier to find. You could also buy the blank D&D miniatures, but they're not THAT much cheaper than painted ones.

Books: Try to find copies of them on the internet, you can probably download the ebooks from torrent sites and older versions of them on the official site (see links on homepage) Otherwise, there's no way around having to buy them.

Dice: Get the ugly coloured ones that don't come in packages. Prices range from 10 cents to 5$ for these kind.