Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Dungeons & Dragons 5e is the most popular tabletop role-playing game on the market. With its simplified rules, diverse settings, and player-driven customizability, it’s easy to see why! Perhaps you’ve dreamed of slinging arrows like Legolas, crushing enemies like Conan, or attacking angry chickens like Link—you can make that a reality in D&D 5e! There are three main aspects to a game of D&D: combat, exploration, and roleplay. Different games will feature different balances of these depending on how the people like to play but it’s up to you and your Dungeon Master (DM) to craft a world that you love! Whether it’s the Forgotten Realms, Critical Role’s Wildemount/Exandria, your own steampunk-themed world where wizards ride dinosaurs, or anything in between—your imagination truly is the limit!

Originally created by Wizards of the Coast

Details

4-6 Players
d20
5th Edition

Themes

Fantasy
High Fantasy

Current Version

5th Edition

Release Date

Originally Published: 1974, 5th Edition Released: 2014, 5th Edition Updated: 2024
System Reviews (32)

See what other Game Masters and players are saying about Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Ross avatar

Ross

New review

Ran 3 sessions

The industry standard, this game is the most popular, but not the best I've played. An excellent introduction to the hobby, I personally feel sad about the fact that many player's TTRPG hobby begins and ends with this game, when so many other systems have so much more to say. Too many people bend over backwards trying to make this system do some things poorly that other systems do smoothly- homebrew is not always the answer.

DM DethStruck avatar

DM DethStruck

New review

I love it due to nostalgia and market saturation.

Adam Hennebeck avatar

Adam Hennebeck

New review

Ran 3 sessions

Dungeons & Dragons is a timeless classic that continues to captivate imaginations. Its rich world-building, diverse character options, and engaging storytelling make it a fantastic way to spend time with friends. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a curious newcomer, D&D offers endless possibilities for creativity and fun.

Bo avatar

Bo

New review

Ran 229 sessions

Dungeons & Dragons has stood the test of time as the most popular RPG in a Fantasy setting there are many many RPG's out there but D&D has a wealth of adventures to explore that match them all. The lastest addition is just another version and all the previous versions have their own fantastic merits. Play one play them all.

Wayne Ingram avatar

Wayne Ingram

New review

Ran 297 sessions

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e) is a standout tabletop RPG system, offering a near-perfect blend of simplicity, flexibility, and accessibility. Whether you’re a newcomer curious about the hobby or a seasoned player seeking streamlined gameplay, 5e delivers on its promise of creating engaging and memorable adventures. The advantage/disadvantage system is revolutionary. By replacing stacks of situational modifiers with a straightforward "roll two dice and take the better or worse result," the game is kept fast-paced and easy to manage. This keeps players engaged in the narrative without bogging them down in math or rule-checking. D&D 5e emphasizes storytelling and narrative creativity. Its rules are robust enough to provide structure but open-ended enough to encourage improvisation and roleplay. This balance allows DMs and players to craft unique scenarios without the weight of excessive "crunch" dragging down the experience. With clear rules and intuitive mechanics, D&D 5e offers a "pick-up-and-play" level of simplicity. The Player’s Handbook provides everything needed to dive in, making it perfect for groups of mixed experience levels or those just starting their tabletop journey. While the streamlined nature of 5e is one of its greatest strengths, it can sometimes falter when deeper complexity is required. The system occasionally struggles to fully engage with the intricate actions-and-consequences loops that make tabletop RPGs so unique. For those craving mechanical depth, this simplicity may leave them wanting more. There are areas where the rules lean too heavily on flexibility, leaving DMs to "fill in the blanks" or make adjustments outside of the official rules. This can lead to challenges in ensuring consistency and balancing encounters, particularly for newer DMs. Despite its few shortcomings, D&D 5e remains the best entry point into the world of tabletop roleplaying games. It’s a system designed to inspire creativity, spark imagination, and foster collaboration, and it succeeds brilliantly in these goals. For groups seeking accessible, narrative-driven adventures with plenty of room to grow and adapt, Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is an absolute must-play. It may not satisfy every craving for complexity, but it provides a solid and endlessly enjoyable foundation for epic storytelling.

GM DANIEL avatar

GM DANIEL

New review

Ran 47 sessions / Played 2 sessions

D&D 5e is by far the most recognizable TTRPG in the space. It’s designed to be fun and relatively easy to pick up, making it a great starting point. While there are plenty of systems with a more specific focus, D&D 5e gives you a solid 101 in most aspects of tabletop roleplaying. The base game offers a ton of options for both new and experienced players, as well as for GMs. On top of that, the community has poured so much love into this game—there’s an overwhelming amount of content from third-party publishers you can add. If you need something for your game, chances are it already exists. As a GM, especially if you’re running a narrative-focused game, there’s no shortage of third-party rules and options that have been tested and refined to work seamlessly with the base system. So dive in, learn the rules (or tweak them to fit your style), and explore the ever-growing community that’s building something amazing together. When you’re ready, take what works for you, change what doesn’t, and craft a game that’s just right for your table.

How to play D&D 5e

The core mechanic of Dungeons and Dragons is rolling a 20-sided die, adding bonuses and modifiers from your character’s abilities, and trying to beat a target number. Players build their characters by choosing a fantastical species, class, abilities, skills, equipment, and magic spells, then embark on adventures to advance their wealth and power. D&D also has a robust tactical combat system for fighting monsters and other adversaries, plus rules for delving dungeons and exploring the wilderness.

Map makers

Cze and Peku

Cze and Peku are well-known in the TTRPG community for their vibrant and highly detailed battle maps. They specialize in fantasy, sci-fi, and modern settings, offering maps for everything from dungeons to sprawling cities. Their Patreon provides a variety of map styles, along with grid and gridless options, making them perfect for both virtual tabletops and print. With frequent updates, they’re a go-to for immersive game experiences.

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Tom Cartos

Tom Cartos is a renowned creator of highly detailed, multi-level battlemaps for tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons. His work enhances gameplay by providing immersive environments that captivate players. Tom offers a diverse range of maps, including fantasy and modern settings, available through his website and Patreon. Patreon supporters gain access to weekly map sets, asset packs, and monthly adventures, with higher tiers offering additional benefits such as DungeonDraft integration and limited commercial licensing.

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Venatus Maps

Venatus Maps specializes in creating clean, modular battle maps for virtual tabletops. Their work covers a wide range of environments, from haunted forests to ancient ruins, with meticulous attention to detail. Venatus Maps also offers map packs designed for specific adventures, making it easier to plug them into existing campaigns.

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Heroic Maps

Heroic Maps delivers high-quality, printable battlemaps that cater to both fantasy and sci-fi settings. Known for their versatility, Heroic Maps provide a mix of atmospheric dungeons, vivid landscapes, and detailed interiors. Their offerings include modular designs that can be pieced together for expansive settings, perfect for GMs looking for flexibility in map design.

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Community artists

Tyler Jacobson

Tyler Jacobson is a renowned fantasy artist whose work has graced the covers of several D&D 5th Edition books, including the 2024 Player's Handbook. His dynamic and detailed illustrations capture the essence of D&D's expansive universe.

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Wylie Beckert

Wylie Beckert is known for her intricate and atmospheric artwork. She contributed the alternate cover art for the 2024 Player's Handbook, showcasing her unique style that adds depth and intrigue to the D&D world.

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Ekaterina Burmak

Ekaterina Burmak is a Ukrainian artist celebrated for her vibrant and detailed illustrations. She provided the cover art for "Light of Xaryxis," a component of the "Spelljammer: Adventures in Space" boxed set, bringing the cosmic adventures of D&D to vivid life.

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Justin Gerard

Justin Gerard is a fantasy illustrator whose work has been featured in various D&D publications. He created the cover art for "Boo's Astral Menagerie," another part of the "Spelljammer: Adventures in Space" set, capturing the essence of D&D's diverse creatures.

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Frequently asked questions

Modules / Adventures

Dragons of Stormwreck Isle | Dragon of Icespire Peak | Stranger Things Starter Set | Dungeons & Dragons Vs Rick & Morty | Hoard of the Dragon Queen | The Rise of Tiamat | Princes of the Apocalypse | Out of the Abyss | Storm King's Thunder | Tales from the Yawning Portal | Tomb of Annihilation | Waterdeep: Dragon Heist | Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage | Ghosts of Saltmarsh | Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus | Candlekeep Mysteries | The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos | Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep | Acquisitions Incorporated | Journeys through the Radiant Citadel | Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen | Keys from the Golden Vault | Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk | Tyranny of Dragons | Vecna: Eve of Ruin | Quests from the Infinite Staircase | Lost Mine of Phandelver | Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden | Curse of Strahd

Explore classes

Barbarian | Bard | Cleric | Druid | Fighter | Monk | Paladin | Ranger | Rogue | Artificer | Sorcerer | Warlock | Wizard

Virtual table tops

Roll20 | Foundry Vtt | Dnd Beyond | Dnd Beyond Maps | Fantasy Grounds