Are you itching to start a Dungeons & Dragons campaign but need more players? You might be looking around at your friend group, pondering who would do the best character voice or who would be a tactical combat master. But before you go that far, you should get them interested in the game first.

For those who play board games or video games DnD could be an easy sell. Others, however, might be put off by the big rulebook. Or they could think that roleplaying is cringe. The best argument is having them play a session. How do you do that? Here are some fun, friendly, and casual ways to get your friends to play Dungeons & Dragons.

DnD Night At A Local Bar

It’s more common these days to find a DnD event at your local bar. I’ve been the Dungeon Master for such nights at the Alamo Drafthouse in Los Angeles. These are fun because they’re a low commitment, beginner-friendly affair. The vibe is like game night with drinks and snack food available. 

This is a great option for new players because the adventures are typically simple, with characters and cheat sheets for rules provided. And even if your friends aren’t entirely enthused about the game aspect, there’s still the draw of a night out at the bar. 

Local Game Store Learn-To-Play Events

One of the best places to learn DnD is at your local game store, right where you buy your Pokemon cards or Lorcana cards. Most stores will have some kind of regular beginner night. Many will also have dedicated kid-friendly sessions for those who want to bring the whole family. These are also some of the lowest cost ways to introduce people to DnD as they’re either free or only have a small cost for admission. 

This option is good for those who care more about the game than the social aspect. You can make friends with strangers, but there’s not the rowdiness of a bar or crowded convention. Most people you’ll meet are, obviously, gamers and fellow geeks. 

Video Game Or Streaming Show

A popular jumping on point for today’s DnD player is experiencing it via a video game or streaming series. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a huge recent example for video games, and Dimension 20 is bringing players to the hobby by showing its link to improv comedy. This lets them test the waters before committing to actually playing. 

Getting friends into DnD via a show or video game is a great way to appeal to people who don’t play board games or tabletop RPGs. It shows them that the rules really aren’t that different from a video game (BG3 literally uses DnD rules). It also teaches them that roleplaying games are more akin to goofing off with friends than talking like Shakespeare. 

StartPlaying Games

This very website is filled with professional Dungeon Masters who introduce people to DnD for a living. They can accommodate a whole group, help integrate a solo player to a group, and teach the game in a friendly manner. Our DMs use convenient online tools so you can play from all over the world on your own schedule. You won’t have a easier time getting friends into DnD than with a StartPlaying DM. 

If you’re looking to start fresh, use our short Learn to Play search quiz to be paired with a DM. If you’re an experienced player wanting a more tailored experience, check out our custom search to browse all kinds of games.