Why you should get into Dungeons and Dragons
Kael Butler – 17th April 2020
Right now, millions of people are at home, either stressed out of their minds or desperately looking for something to do. Many have turned to Netflix, video games and even exercise. Sadly, while these pastimes are effective, they can also get old after a while. I propose to you a game that you can play, that will allow you to reconnect with your friends, take your mind off the world around you and easily pass hours without noticing. Dungeons and Dragons.
Now I’m sure there’s a significant chance that I’ve just made you laugh to yourself and think, “Isn’t that game for basement-dwelling hyper nerds?”. Well… Kinda. But it’s far more popular than you think. With celebrities like Vin Diesel, James Franco and even Elon Musk playing it from time to time. It is also referenced in countless movies, games and tv shows, most notably in the D&D episodes of the hit show Community. And now that everyone is forced to dwell in their own basements, this is a good of a time as any to enter the world of Dungeons and Dragons.
Image thanks to NerdistBut what is Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) you may ask, well it’s a role-playing game, where players create their own fantasy characters and set off on adventures that are set by the Dungeon Master (or DM). People love video games that allow you to customise your character, but with each example, there are always limitations. With D&D however, the sky is the limit. Everything about your characters appearance, gender, personality and backstory are decided by you. The game is typically played with 3-5 players and one Dungeon Master. The Dungeon Master oversees leading the players through a story, throwing locations, characters and battles at them. Basically, steering the ship when it comes to the campaign. The players must guide their characters through said situations. Picking what their character will say, do and how they will react to certain situations.
Image thanks to Game TruthThere are a few things you need before you can get started, However. You will need a full set of dice, including a D4, D6, D8, D12 and D20. Each of these dice have different functions in-game, but they all boil down to deciding the success of your chosen actions. You will also need the Player’s Handbook, in order to understand the rules of the game, as well as making your character. Finally, you will need a character sheet, where you will write the details of your character, their equipment and stats. The DM will need the Players Handbook, Monster Manual and Dungeon Master’s Guide, in order to begin.
Image thanks to Wizards of the CoastAt first glance, that is a lengthy, daunting and expensive list of essential items that you need to buy, just to play one game. Thankfully, almost every resource you need can be found digitally. There are countless apps for rolling dice, PDF versions of every D&D book, digital character sheets and countless comprehensive guides to the world of D&D. In my experience, the three most useful websites are Orc Pub, D&D Beyond and 5e Tools. These Sites will help to alleviate the barrier to entry, allowing you and your friends to get right to the fun stuff. You can also use services such as Discord, or Tabletop Simulator in order to talk to, collaborate and make jokes with all your friends.
