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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 (41)

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

J.P. avatar

J.P.

New review

Ran 371 sessions / Played 83 sessions

While D&D 5e is still the grandaddy of all RPG's, the quality of the content published by Wizards of the Coast has been sub-par the last few years. There are some great home-brewed games and worlds out there, which in my opinion is what keeps the game vibrant and relevant. Hopefully WotC gets back to its roots of providing good, quality material for its core fans. As it stands currently, it requires heavily home-brewed rules to even make the game approach the balance needed to allow for the challenging/rewarding experience that players want. I.e. it takes a LOT of work to make things work in the game. I tend to stick to updating old modules to current rules, which has made for some fun adventures. While I still have some love for the system, mostly due to its trailblazing for RPGs in general, it has lost its way, in my opinion.

J.R. Liggans avatar

J.R. Liggans

New review

Ran 149 sessions / Played 2 sessions

Absolutely classic system that sets a good framework for creativity from the players and the dungeon master!

Dimos avatar

Dimos

New review

Ran 292 sessions

What can I say about D&D 5e? It took everything good from previous editions and combined them into the best edition of the RPG. The new 2024 rules made the necessary changes to transform into an even better edition. It's the easiest RPG to jump into as a new player and the easiest for a DM to go even rules-free if they want to. Some of my best memories go hand in hand with the greatest RPG the world has ever met. I totally recommend it for new and veteran RPG players and wannabe DMs.

Skuliver avatar

Skuliver

New review

Ran 167 sessions

D&D 5e has so much content and it does not really play well together. It also seems to be about uber powerful builds and grinding combat versus fast and deadly action with deeper role play. It had a lot of marketing boost behind it, but it is not the best game out there unless you want a very specific type of game. Also WotC are don't deserve any more had earned nerd money. Support small press and indy game creators over corporate BBEGs

Craig avatar

Craig

New review

Ran 522 sessions / Played 24 sessions

I love DnD! It gives GMs room to create the style of game that suits them, whether you want a combat heavy game, a tactical game, a roleplaying game or even a mix of everything! I've been playing it for a very long time now and don't see that changing anytime soon. The rules are detailed enough to have a solid base to create your game with while still giving plenty of room to create your own mechanics or improvise.

Andrew M. "Fish" Popowich avatar

Andrew M. "Fish" Popowich

New review

Ran 10 sessions

Ten years in, still a classic. RPGs generally cover the space between three pillars: Combat, Social Interaction, and Exploration and the granddaddy of them all makes it look easy. 5e (both 2014 and 2024 editions) makes it easy to get going quickly to strap on a sword, practice your dad jokes and pickup lines, and choke down a ration or two. Whether you're playing through updated classic modules or seek out new spaces where no hero has gone before, DnD will get you there. High fantasy with a low barrier to entry makes it hard to say no.

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

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: Dungeon of the Mad Mage | Ghosts of Saltmarsh | 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 | Dragons of Stormwreck Isle | Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden | Curse of Strahd | Waterdeep: Dragon Heist | Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

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