If you’re shopping for someone who’s just getting into Dungeons & Dragons, but you don’t know where to begin, you’re not alone. Plenty of parents, friends, and gift-givers find themselves trying to pick out the “right” gear without knowing the first thing about how the game works. This guide breaks down what D&D actually is, the basic items every new player needs, and a few recommended accessories that make great gifts, from beginner-friendly dice sets to trays, storage boxes, and tools for anyone curious about running their own adventures.

Getting Started with Dungeons & Dragons: what you need to know and how to pick the perfect gift

What is Dungeons & Dragons?

If the phrase “Dungeons & Dragons” conjures up images of knights and dragons, you’re partly right. D&D is a table‑top role‑playing game in which each player creates a unique character who lives in a magical world populated by elves, goblins, unicorns and ...of course... dragons. One participant takes on the role of the Dungeon Master (DM), writing the story of that world and portraying every other creature in it. Players work together as a party, using their characters’ abilities to overcome challenges such as monsters or traps. Dice are rolled to determine whether a character’s actions succeed or fail, so the game becomes a collaborative story where luck and imagination are equally important.

Unlike traditional board games, D&D is played around a table (or virtual table) without a fixed board; battle maps and miniatures are sometimes used to help players visualize combat. A typical game session lasts between three and six hours, and campaigns can continue from week to week, creating ongoing stories that can last for months or even years.

What you need to play

One of the best things about D&D is how little you need to get started. All that’s really required is the rules, a character, some dice and plenty of imagination. Wizards of the Coast provide a free PDF of the basic rules and even publish Starter Sets that contain pre‑made characters, a set of dice, a copy of the rules and a short adventure. When you’re ready to dive deeper you can purchase the Player’s Handbook, which expands on character options and rules.

In addition to rules and dice, you’ll need the following:

Optional extras include miniatures, a Dungeon Master’s Guide for aspiring DMs and a DM screen to keep notes hidden.

Picking your first dice set

A standard D&D dice set includes seven polyhedral dice: a four‑sided (d4), six‑sided (d6), eight‑sided (d8), ten‑sided (d10), percentile die (d% or a second d10), twelve‑sided (d12) and twenty‑sided (d20). You’ll roll the d20 most often for attacks, saving throws and ability checks.

Material choices

The material of your dice affects price, weight and feel. Dice Dungeons’ beginner guide describes the pros and cons of common materials:

Tips for choosing your first set

• Start simple: choose a resin or acrylic set; they’re reliable and inexpensive.
• Think about readability: high‑contrast numbers are easier to read quickly.
• Pick a set you’ll actually use: dice aren’t just tools; the ritual of rolling should feel fun.
• Consider extras: having spare d6s or d20s helps when rolling for damage or advantage/disadvantage. (DMs sometimes get extra sets for players who are just getting started.)

As you gain experience you may want to upgrade. Many players collect multiple sets for different characters or moods; metal and gemstone dice provide a special feel, and class‑themed dice (like Dice Dungeons’ Arsenal collection) are tailored to particular adventurers.

Useful accessories: trays, boxes and more

Rolling handfuls of dice onto a kitchen table can be noisy and can damage delicate surfaces. Dice Dungeons sells several accessories designed to protect your table and your dice. One clever option is the Scroll Dice Holder and Rolling Mat. It combines a dice case and rolling mat in one: the scroll holds up to two sets of metal or resin dice, and the inner cover features the Dice Dungeons castle logo while the outer side is a weathered faux‑leather surface that doubles as a play mat. When rolled up and buttoned, it resembles an ancient scroll; a strong clasp keeps the scroll closed so your dice stay secure during transport. It’s an attractive gift for players and can even be used to store tokens or markers for other games.

Dice Dungeons also offer dice boxes! Small tins or metal cases lined with foam that keep your favorite set safe when tossed into a backpack. If you prefer something fancier, wooden chests and vaults are available too. Finally, consider picking up a rolling tray: collapsible hexagonal trays with padded interiors are perfect for metal and gemstone dice and fold flat when not in use, making them easy to pack for game night.

For aspiring Dungeon Masters: Quest Decks

If your giftee dreams of running games, Dice Dungeons’ Quest Decks: The Notice Board is an excellent tool. The deck contains 45 unique quest hooks; each card offers a posted notice that adventurers might stumble upon, providing ready‑made side quests. The cards are designed to seamlessly integrate into any RPG campaign and to deepen player engagement by presenting intriguing scenarios. Because the quests are exclusive to this deck, they add fresh adventures your group won’t find elsewhere.

The cards are standard playing‑card size (2.5 × 3.5 inches).

Closing thoughts

Starting out in Dungeons & Dragons doesn’t require much... just the rules, a character and a set of dice. With an affordable resin dice set, a simple rulebook and a character sheet, your child can join their friends and begin weaving fantastical stories. As they continue playing, you can surprise them with upgrades: a heavier metal or gemstone dice set, a rolling tray or scroll dice holder to protect their dice and table, and even a Quest Deck to help them run their own adventures. Whether your young adventurer is a player or an aspiring Dungeon Master, these gifts will enrich their journey and show that you support their imagination and creativity.