What Do You Need to Play D&D? A UK Beginner's Shopping List (2026)

What do you need to play D&D? Less than most people think. For a first game you just need a few friends (one running the game as Dungeon Master), the rules, dice, a character sheet each, an adventure and a pencil. You can get all of those for free. This UK shopping list separates the essentials from the extras and shows what each step up adds, from a free first session to a full shelf of books.

Amazon buttons are in the comparison at the top of this guide, and again in The picks. Prices change, so they are not printed here. Sellers below were checked on Amazon.co.uk on 14 November 2026, at about 09:10 GMT.

Quick answer: the essentials

1. People: one Dungeon Master (DM) and a few players
2. The rules: the free 2024 rules on D&D Beyond
3. Dice: one set per player, or a free dice app
4. A character sheet for each player
5. An adventure for the DM to run
6. Pencils, an eraser and scrap paper

Cost to start: nothing with free resources, a player’s own dice and tray, or an all-in-one starter box. Amazon UK sellers were checked on 14 Nov 2026. Prices are not printed here.

The short answer: six things you need to play D&D

People: a DM and players

One person is the Dungeon Master, who describes the world, plays the monsters and runs the adventure. Everyone else controls a single character. The official Heroes of the Borderlands starter box is designed for 3–5 players including the DM, a typical group size for a first game. Two people can play too: the D&D Essentials Kit includes sidekick rules for one DM and one player, as we explain in our guide to which D&D starter set to buy.

The rules

You don’t need to buy a rulebook to start. D&D Beyond, the official D&D toolset, offers the 2024 D&D Free Rules, covering the character creation rules from the 2024 Player’s Handbook with 12 classes, 12 subclasses, 4 species and 4 backgrounds. Older beginner guides often list the Player’s Handbook as essential, but for a first game, the free rules are enough.

Dice

Each player ideally has a seven-dice set, though a free dice-rolling app works fine. A shared bundle is the cheapest way to cover a whole group. For what each die does and which set to buy first, see our beginner’s guide to D&D dice.

A character sheet each

Every player needs somewhere to record their character. D&D Beyond’s free Character Builder walks you through creating one and gives you a digital sheet, or you can pick from its free roster of ready-made characters. If you prefer paper, there is an official pad of sheets (below).

An adventure for the DM

The DM needs a story to run. D&D Beyond lists several free adventures that take one or two sessions, including Frozen Sick, Intro to Stormwreck Isle and Peril in Pinebrook (written for younger players). A starter box gives you a more structured adventure with maps and handouts.

Pencils, an eraser and scrap paper

Hit points and equipment change constantly, so use a pencil. Scrap paper is handy for notes, maps and the names of everyone you meet.

Can you play D&D without buying anything?

Yes. The free 2024 rules, a digital or ready-made character sheet, a dice app and one of D&D Beyond’s free short adventures are enough for a first session. You just need a free D&D Beyond account to claim them.

What you give up is the physical kit (maps, tokens, real dice) and the step-by-step structure of a starter box, which teaches a new DM as they go. Plenty of groups start free, then buy a box or dice once they know they enjoy it.

What does it cost to start playing D&D in the UK?

Sellers on Amazon.co.uk, checked 14 November 2026, approx. 09:10 GMT. Third-party book sellers change often. Prices are not printed here, because they move.

Kit	What’s in it	Step
Free kit	Free rules, digital sheet, dice app, free adventure	Nothing to buy
Player kit	A seven-dice set and a folding tray; add a Character Journal if you like paper	Dice and a tray for one player
Group starter	Heroes of the Borderlands starter box	One box for a new group
“We’re hooked” kit	2024 Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual, bought separately	The three core books, once the group is staying

Buying for someone starting out? Our D&D gifts guide has ideas at every budget.

The free kit

Free rules, the free Character Builder or a ready-made character, a dice app and a free adventure. It’s enough to see whether your group enjoys the game.

The player kit

A set of dice and a tray to roll them in.

• Nebula 7-piece dice set – sold by CREEBUY-UK, dispatched by Amazon.
• SIQUK folding dice tray – sold by FEQO EU, dispatched by Amazon. The listing describes a PU-leather tray with a velvet lining that snaps together at the corners and folds away.
• Character Journal (optional) – sold by Amazon. Five detailed 5e character sheets plus lined and graph pages for notes.

The group starter

D&D Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands – sold by Amazon. The current official starter box uses the 2024 rules. The listing describes three adventure booklets, character class boards, handouts, dice, maps, tokens, a combat tracker and cards, with hour-long sessions, so a group needs nothing else to begin. See how it compares with other boxes in our guide to which D&D starter set to buy.

For two players, the D&D Essentials Kit (2014 rules) adds sidekick rules for one DM and one player. It was listed through Amazon Global Store, an import service, when we checked.

The “we’re hooked” kit

Once a group knows it’s sticking with D&D, the three 2024 core books are next: the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual. Bought separately on 14 November, all three were from third-party sellers. Details are below.

What books do you need to play D&D?

None to start: the free rules cover a first game. Here is what to buy, and in what order, once you’re committed.

As a player: the 2024 Player’s Handbook

The listing describes 12 classes, 48 subclasses, 10 species, 16 backgrounds, 75 feats and nearly 400 spells: far more choice than the free rules. It was from third-party seller VJBookStore, dispatched by Amazon, on 14 November. It was higher than the day before, so check the price and seller when ordering.

Prefer paper sheets? The official 2024 Character Sheets pad, sold by Amazon, holds 50 double-sided sheets in an illustrated folder.

As a DM: the Dungeon Master’s Guide, then the Monster Manual

The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is the better first DM book. The listing describes advice for running games, ready-to-use maps and over 300 treasures and magic items. It was from third-party seller 4 Kingdoms Books when we checked.

The 2024 Monster Manual comes next, listing over 500 monsters, including more than 75 new ones. It was from VJBookStore when we checked. Starter boxes and published adventures include the monsters you need at first, so this can wait.

2014 or 2024 books?

The 2024 books revise the 2014 fifth-edition rules. If you’re starting fresh, buy the 2024 versions; if you’re joining a group, ask which they use. Our starter set guide explains the difference.

Should you buy the three-book bundle?

Not at the prices checked on 14 November 2026. That day, Amazon’s bundle of the 2024 Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual cost more than buying the three books separately. The trade-off: the bundle is sold by Amazon itself, while the separate copies came from third-party sellers whose prices change daily.

What do you need to start DMing?

A new DM needs four things:

• An adventure. A starter box is easiest because it teaches you as you go. Our guide to which D&D starter set to buy compares the boxes, and the free D&D Beyond adventures above cost nothing.
• The rules. The free 2024 rules first, then the Dungeon Master’s Guide when ready.
• A way to track initiative and hit points. Paper works, or use D&D Beyond’s free Encounters tool to track initiative order and hit points.
• Optional extras: a DM screen and a battle mat (below).

For inspiration between sessions, see our pick of fantasy books for new game masters.

Optional extras, and when they’re worth it

Battle mat and wet-erase pens

Worth it if your group likes drawing combat maps. Many groups play in “theatre of the mind”, describing positions instead.

• Path Gaming double-sided battle grid mats, 36 x 24in – sold by PathGaming, dispatched by Amazon. Two mats with one-inch squares and four terrains. Four dry-erase markers are included, and the listing says the surface also takes wet-erase markers.
• STAEDTLER Lumocolor 316 non-permanent pens, 4 colours – sold by Amazon. Water-soluble ink that wipes off with a damp cloth, per the listing.

Miniatures

Not required. Tokens, coins or board-game pieces do the same job. Heroes of the Borderlands includes tokens.

DM screen

Nice to have, not essential. It hides the DM’s notes and rolls. The official 2024 Dungeon Master’s Screen had no Amazon UK seller on 13 or 14 November, so here is an alternative:

• DM screen with customisable inserts – sold by LYNX EU, dispatched by Amazon. Four faux-leather panels taking A4 inserts plus the pre-made reference inserts supplied.

Dice tray

Cheap and worth it. It keeps dice on the table. The SIQUK tray in the player kit is the one named above; more options are in our beginner’s guide to D&D dice.

Condition markers

Only for tables using miniatures. Rings that sit over a miniature’s base to show conditions like poisoned or stunned.

• DND Miniatures Condition Markers (96 rings, 24 conditions) – sold by LYNX EU, dispatched by Amazon.

For the whole table: a 42-dice bundle

• QMAY DND Dice, 6 x 7 sets – sold by Changlele, dispatched by Amazon. Six full sets, so a new group or DM can hand dice round.

For younger fans

• Dungeons & Dragons Pocket Expert (DK) – sold by Amazon. A pocket-sized fact book about the D&D world, from classes to monsters, which DK describes as written for young D&D fans.

What do you need to play D&D online?

Mostly free tools: a voice or video call, digital character sheets from D&D Beyond’s free Character Builder, and a dice roller. Some groups use a virtual tabletop for maps. D&D Beyond’s Maps tool is free only during a 30-day Master Tier trial; after that it requires a paid subscription.

What to bring to your first session

• A character (or a ready-made one) on paper or on D&D Beyond
• Dice, or a dice app on your phone
• A pencil, an eraser and scrap paper
• Snacks to share, and a willingness to say “yes, and…”

Safety note: dice are small parts and a choking hazard for children under 3.

FAQs

What do you need to play D&D for the first time?

A DM, a few players, the free rules, dice (or an app), a character sheet each, an adventure and a pencil.

Can you play D&D without buying anything?

Yes. D&D Beyond’s free rules, Character Builder and free adventures, plus a dice app, cost nothing.

What books do you need to play D&D?

None to start. Later, players add the 2024 Player’s Handbook, and DMs the Dungeon Master’s Guide then the Monster Manual.

What dice do you need to play D&D?

One seven-dice set per player, or a dice app. Our beginner’s guide to D&D dice explains the rest.

Do you need miniatures to play D&D?

No. Many groups use theatre of the mind, tokens or coins.

Can you play D&D without a map or board?

Yes. A map helps in combat, but describing the scene works too.

Can you play D&D without a DM?

Standard D&D assumes one person runs the game, though some groups take turns as DM between adventures. A starter box makes the job easier for a first-timer; see our starter set guide.

How many people do you need for D&D?

Heroes of the Borderlands is designed for 3–5 players including the DM. Two can play with the Essentials Kit’s sidekick rules.

How much does it cost to play D&D?

Nothing, if you use the free resources. A starter box is the all-in-one option, and the three 2024 core books are the later purchase, bought separately when we checked on 14 November 2026. Prices are not printed here, because they change.

What do I need to start DMing D&D?

An adventure (a starter box is easiest), the free rules, and a way to track initiative and hit points.

What do you need to play D&D online?

A voice or video call, D&D Beyond’s free digital character sheets and a dice roller. A virtual tabletop is optional.

How we put this list together

This list is based on research, not hands-on testing. Spirits of Eden did not test these products. We used D&D Beyond’s free-resources page, Wizards of the Coast and Amazon UK listing details, and established beginner guides. Prices, sellers and stock were checked on Amazon.co.uk on 14 November 2026.

---

Dungeons & Dragons and D&D are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast. Spirits of Eden is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast.