Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
How to play Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
A fast, practical overview. Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is the world's most popular tabletop roleplaying game, where players create heroic adventurers and explore fantastical worlds filled with magic, monsters, and mystery. Using a d20-based system, players roll a twenty-sided die plus modifiers to determine the outcome of attacks, skill checks, and saving throws.
Beginner checklist
Say what you do and what you want to happen (intent).
Use the system's core roll mechanic to resolve uncertainty.
Apply consequences quickly to keep scenes moving.
Between sessions, record advancement so changes are consistent.
How rolls work
D&D 5e resolves rolls with a d20: roll 1d20, add your ability modifier and proficiency bonus if it applies, and meet or beat a Difficulty Class (or the target's Armor Class for attacks). Advantage and disadvantage have you roll two d20s and keep the better or worse.
Pick the check: ability, skill, attack, or saving throw.
Roll 1d20 (two with advantage/disadvantage), add your modifiers.
Meet or beat the DC (or AC) to succeed; a natural 20 on attacks is a critical hit.
Stealth check, DC 15: Dexterity +3 and proficiency +2 means you succeed on a d20 roll of 10 or higher.
Key facts
12 classes: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
9 races (SRD): Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, Dragonborn, Gnome, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Tiefling
6 ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
d20 system: Roll d20 + modifier vs. Difficulty Class (DC) or Armor Class (AC)
Proficiency bonus: Scales from +2 to +6 across levels 1-20
Advantage/disadvantage: Roll 2d20 and take higher or lower instead of flat modifiers
Derived stats: HP, AC, Initiative, ProficiencyBonus, Speed, HitDice, PassivePerception
Play examples
Intent, roll, consequence
State what you want, roll only when the outcome is uncertain, and apply a consequence that changes the situation.
Change approach instead of rerolling
If you fail, don't spam attempts. Change position, get help, spend resources, or accept a cost to keep the scene moving.
Common mistakes
Rolling too often.
Roll when the outcome matters and uncertainty is real; otherwise just do the thing.
Stalling on failure.
On failure, change the situation (cost, complication, new threat) and move forward.
Character creation
Choose a Race
Choose a Class
Determine Ability Scores (Standard Array, Point Buy, or 4d6 drop lowest)
Describe Your Character (name, alignment, background, personality)
Calculate Derived Stats (HP, AC, initiative, proficiency bonus)
Choose Equipment and Spells (if applicable)
Choose Proficiencies and Languages
What to track during play
What to open next
Prefer definitions? Browse terms in the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition glossary.