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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 (46)

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

Ned avatar

Ned

New review

Ran 1151 sessions / Played 13 sessions

D&D 5e has been the staple for me for years. The system is not perfect by any means, it has a lot of flaws, but its community and 3rd party content are fixing a lot of issues, when the designers do not. Even though it's marketed as suitable for many play styles, it is not really. Heroic fantasy is its prime category where it shines the most. The further you go from that, the more things you discover that don't fit very well and that you have to homebrew a lot to make it work. It is fairly rules-heavy, but not at an extreme amount. I would have given it 5 stars if the designing studio had a different company above their heads, as most of its problem derive from decisions outside the design compartment.

Allison - Ajax DM avatar

Allison - Ajax DM

New review

Ran 1227 sessions

I love Dungeons & Dragons, love my players and love the game - so much that it's my full-time profession and passion. I run D&D 5e games using the original rules or the new 2024 rules. And while I've run other game systems, I always come back to D&D. If you're new to D&D, find a Dungeon Master (DM) who's good at working with new players. If you're an experienced D&D player who is looking to learn the 5e or 5e 2024 rules, look for someone who has experience teaching others. What's great about D&D is you can learn as you play!

Colby avatar

Colby

New review

Ran 352 sessions

D&D 5e is the first game I ever ran, and I've been running at least one campaign using the system at all times since 2015. It's an amazing update to the legacy of D&D, and comparing it to previous editions, it is my favorite by far! That said, if you're new to it, know that it is only the best system in one way: name recognition. If you're looking for a well-balanced tactical monster fighting game, Pathfinder 2e does that better. If you want quick, nimble storytelling, Dungeon World is better.

Tyler  avatar

Tyler

New review

Ran 652 sessions / Played 7 sessions

D&D is a great system for beginners and experienced players alike. I started out playing D&D and still run most of my games in this system. I love how it gives players a great base starting point and then we can use that to expand and make the game our own. Rules are flexible and adding homebrew rules or doing rule of cool is easy to do with out breaking the game. With several classes to pick from and fun subclasses you can have years of fun with this system.

NothingsImPaulssible avatar

NothingsImPaulssible

New review

Ran 811 sessions

"Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is the original and ultimate tabletop roleplaying experience. For me, it’s been truly life-changing. I've lived countless lives at the table—seeking glory, slaying monsters, and gathering wealth in both coin and friendships. As a player and DM, I've experienced the magic of storytelling from every angle because of this game. Its streamlined rules make it accessible for newcomers, while its depth keeps veterans coming back for more. It tows a good balance between narrative and mechanics while allowing for creativity, creating a space for unforgettable characters and epic adventures. Whether solving mysteries, battling foes, or sharing heartfelt moments, D&D 5e is the gateway to a truly magical experience. A must-play for anyone who craves collaborative storytelling at its finest!"

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.

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 | Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus | Curse of Strahd | Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden | Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

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