Just What *IS* D&D?
Dungeons and Dragons, usually shortened to D&D or DnD, is a game first published by Wizards of the CoastTM in 1974 that has become much more prominent and popular in the last few years. Originally a fairly niche gaming genre, the popularity of Dungeons and Dragons has skyrocketed in recent years thanks to its appearances in popular shows such as Gravity Falls, Stranger Things, Onward and internet actual play D&D shows such as “Critical Role” and “Dimension20”. Depending on your exposure to pop culture, you might know a good bit about D&D – or perhaps you only know it as that roleplaying game presumably involving dungeons and/or dragons. Well, here we are going to go over the game a little bit and see what has made it so enticing to generations of players throughout the years.
First, let’s get clear on what D&D actually is:
D&D is a role playing, cooperative game where players take on the persona of a made up character (called a player character, or “PC”), most often in a fantasy setting, and are given the chance to confront different obstacles and enemies in order to progress through the story. These characters can range from simple fighters, to magic-wielding wizards, to sneaky rogues, all depending on how the player wants to play the game. The player can decide to use wit and skill to emerge triumphant, either through puzzle-solving or combat, or they can rush head on into situations and figure things out as they go. Both methods of playing are equally fun and valid, so long as everyone has fun.
One designated player, however, stands apart from the rest, laden with the power and responsibility to lead the other players through their stories to a satisfying conclusion. This player is the Dungeon Master or DM, sometimes called the Game Master or GM. It is their job is to set the scene, narrate the story, and present the situations for the other players to experience. In addition to this, it is their job to play all of the other characters in the story (called NPCs or non-player-characters). The Dungeon Master’s job is not an easy one, but it is incredibly rewarding to see your players get excited over storylines and villains that you have created.
So what makes the game so popular? What has given it longevity?
The game is incredibly flexible and accessible. While there are standardized rules and basic campaigns that can be played exactly as written, the main draw of D&D is that you can make the game your own. You can tell whatever story you want in whatever kind of world you want. Some D&D games will be epic fantasy adventures where a team of heroes have to defeat a major villain or monster, while others will be sneaky heist stories where the players have to infiltrate an impossible tower to steal a priceless magical artifact. Some campaigns will focus on comedic stories about a group of lovable losers whose circumstances demand that they become heroes, and some will focus on grimdark and horror. And some campaigns will incorporate all these genres at the same time. The only limits are the preferences of the players as a group. Anyone can play, and there are as many ways to customize a D&D game as there are types of players.
DnD is also relatively inexpensive. If you’ve ever visited a tabletop gaming shop you will know that there are beautiful bespoke maps, campaign guides, deluxe dice sets, and fancy mini-figurines available for purchase, but all that you REALLY need to play the game is a set of dice, a character sheet that is freely available online, a pencil, and your own imagination! Rule books are, of course, helpful for more complex issues, but all of the core rule documents are available for free online, and there are many other free resources created and shared by fans of the game. There are even free dice-rolling apps that are available for both android and apple phones if you do not have the money or space to store dice. While buying detailed minis and that set of extra shiny new dice can be fun and enhance the experience, the real fun of Dungeons and Dragons is free for all and exists entirely within the theater of the mind and the connections you make with the other players. Which brings me to the real reason D&D has been so popular throughout the ages: Cooperation.
At its core, D&D is a game that celebrates collaborative storytelling and the importance of surprise.
The GM might offer the players a loose story structure or a more meticulously planned out plotline (often in the form of pre-written campaigns) but the narrative can often go in completely unexpected and interesting directions so that no two games will ever be exactly the same. There are two elements that contribute to this game diversity: player character choices and dice rolls.
Every time a player wants to attempt something, even something as simple as opening a door, they have to roll dice to see if they succeed. Players have a set of skills and stats that are assigned numbers based on how they created their characters before the game, and these stats give bonuses or penalties to skill checks. To determine success or failure, the players will roll a 20-sided die, then add or subtract whatever bonuses or penalties they have for that skill. Based on the results, the DM explains how the action resolves. Between the risk of random dice rolls and the multitude of ways one can fail or succeed, there is always a new situation to encounter, a new way to succeed or fail, and a new way to overcome challenges. This not only makes for engaging storytelling, but it encourages all participants to really think outside of the box when it comes to problem solving and telling their own stories.
In the 50 years since D&D was first published, the game has become a staple of pop culture, and a global phenomenon. It is a game that has opened up endless possibilities and provided an unmatched outlet for creativity. Whether it’s being played by big name celebrities or at a kitchen table, D&D is a game for everyone, where you can be anyone. The only limitations are your own imagination. And occasionally those pesky dice.
I hope this has proved informative and helpful. And if it has at all piqued your interest, what should you do? How do you get started? Well, one great place is your library! D&D themed events are not uncommon, so be sure to check our calendar of events to find one!
You can also look at some of the following resources:
- D&D Basic Rules .pdf from the Wizards of the Coast website
- How-to-play page from Wizards of the Coast D&D site, DnDBeyond.com
- A more in-depth look at the basic rules, also on DnDBeyond.com
