Welcome, friend. If you’re here, you’ve likely heard whispers of dragons, dice, and the strange magic of storytelling around a table. Maybe someone invited you to a game. Maybe you caught a Critical Role clip. Or maybe you’re just curious what all the fuss is about. Either way, this beginner’s guide to D&D 5e is your lantern in the dark, lighting the way to adventure.
Whether you want to play a noble paladin, a tricksy rogue, or a wizard who drinks too much and argues with their cat familiar (we’ve all been there), we’ll walk you through exactly what you need to know to get started.
🧭 Your First Steps into D&D
Before you draw your sword or start flinging firebolts, let’s make sure your boots are laced tight. These beginner-friendly guides walk you through everything you’ll need to build your first hero and get rolling with confidence:
- 🧬 How to Choose a D&D 5e Race – From elves to orcs and everything in between
- 🌿 Understanding Subraces in D&D 5e – Add depth to your ancestry
- 💪 D&D 5e Ability Scores – What Strength, Dexterity, and the rest really mean
- 🎒 Starting Equipment Guide – Get geared up the smart way
- 📜 Choosing a Background – Give your character a story worth telling
- 🎭 Creating a Character Hook – Add that spark of personality
- 🧰 DM Survival Kit – For the brave souls behind the screen
What is Dungeons & Dragons 5e?
In short: D&D is a game where you and your friends tell a story together. One of you (the Dungeon Master, or DM) describes the world and plays all the monsters and townsfolk. The rest of you play heroes navigating that world, solving problems, defeating enemies, and making choices that shape the tale.
D&D 5e is the most recent and beginner-friendly version of the game—and it’s easier to learn than you might think.
For a full breakdown, check out our guide: What is Dungeons & Dragons 5e?
What You Need to Play
To play D&D, you really only need three things:
- A set of dice (or a dice roller)
- A character sheet (you can print one or fill it digitally)
- A group of friends, or an online community
That said, there are loads of extras that make the game smoother and more fun. If you’re planning to DM or just want to be prepared, check out our curated tool list here: The Kegslayer’s Official DM Survival Kit
Creating Your First Character
Character creation is a mix of imagination, strategy, and dice rolls. Here’s a quick path through the basics:
Choose Your Race
This is your character’s ancestry—elf, dwarf, halfling, or something stranger. Each race comes with different traits and bonuses.
Read our full breakdown here: How to Choose a D&D 5e Race
Understand Subraces
Some races have sub-options (like wood elves or hill dwarves). These add flavour and mechanics to your backstory.
Learn more: Understanding Subraces in D&D 5e
Assign Your Ability Scores
These six numbers define how strong, smart, and sneaky your character is. They affect everything from sword swings to spellcasting.
Get the full explanation: D&D 5e Ability Scores
Pick Your Starting Gear
Are you a sword-and-shield type? Or more the “pocket full of daggers and a disguise kit” type?
Your class (fighter, wizard, rogue, etc.) and background determine what gear you start with. Here’s a guide to get you kitted out: D&D 5e Starting Equipment
Choose a Background
This adds history, skills, and flavour to your character. Were you a street urchin? A failed merchant? A haunted noble?
Backgrounds help the story come alive: D&D Character Backgrounds
Add a Character Hook
This is the little secret or spark that brings your hero to life. A lost love, a mysterious tattoo, a cursed lute…
Get inspired: How to Create a Character Hook for D&D
Finding or Starting a Game
You don’t need a local tavern to find a party anymore. Online tools, Discord servers, and apps like StartPlaying make it easier than ever to join a group.
You can also gather a few friends and run a Starter Set campaign. (Keep an eye out for the 2025 set: Heroes of the Borderlands)
Not sure how to begin? We have a full post on How to Find a D&D Group and a Session Zero checklist to help align your group’s goals.
Tips for Your First Session
- Say what you want to try—you don’t need to know the rules
- Talk with your group and your DM
- Lean into the story and make bold choices
- Mistakes make great moments (and memories)
And above all else? Have fun. The rules are just a jumping-off point. The real game lives in the laughter, the chaos, and the shared story around the table.
What Next?
Once you’ve dipped your toe into the dice pool, there’s a whole world of character building, storytelling, and DMing to explore. Check out our guides in The Bar and The Hearth for more.
You’re not just learning to play D&D. You’re joining a world of adventurers.
So pull up a chair. Roll some dice. And welcome to the Tavern.
