RPG Starter’s Guide: Which Dungeons & Dragons Book Do You Need First?

Dungeons & Dragons has become more than just a game — it’s a cultural phenomenon, a gateway to storytelling, and a creative outlet for millions worldwide. But with so many books and boxed sets available, one of the biggest questions for new adventurers is: Where do I start?

At The Hidden Lair, we help new players take their first steps into the world of role-playing games all the time. Let’s break down the essentials, so you can figure out which D&D book (or set) is right for you.

The Core Rulebooks: The Backbone of D&D

There are three primary hardcover books that form the foundation of Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition (5E). Think of these as the building blocks of the game:

The Player’s Handbook (PHB)

If you only buy one book, make it this one. The Player’s Handbook is the gateway for players into the world of D&D. Inside, you’ll find:

• Character Creation Rules: Choose from classic fantasy races like elf, dwarf, and dragonborn, then pick your class — wizard, fighter, rogue, cleric, and more.

• Equipment and Magic Items: Weapons, armor, and the gear that brings your hero to life.

• Spells: Hundreds of spells covering everything from fireball to healing word.

• Core Rules of Play: How combat works, how skill checks are made, and how to interact with the world around you.

If you’re a player, the PHB is your roadmap. While the Dungeon Master (DM) may own all three books, players can comfortably join a campaign with just this one.

The Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG)

Behind every great D&D campaign is a Dungeon Master, the person who creates the world, runs the encounters, and plays the role of non-player characters. The DMG is written specifically for them. Inside, you’ll find:

• Worldbuilding Tools: Advice on creating towns, kingdoms, and even entire universes.

• Treasure and Magic Items: Guidelines for rewarding adventurers with loot.

• Optional Rules: Ways to customize gameplay for different styles of groups.

• Encounter Design: How to balance monsters and challenges so that fights feel fun and fair.

If you want to run your own games, the DMG is invaluable. It turns raw imagination into a structured, playable world.

The Monster Manual (MM)

The Monster Manual is exactly what it sounds like — a collection of creatures, beasts, and monsters ready to challenge your players. It includes:

• Classic D&D Creatures: Dragons, beholders, mind flayers, and more.

• Lesser-Known Threats: Unique monsters with lore that can inspire entire campaigns.

• Stat Blocks: Simplified numbers that make running encounters quick and smooth for the DM.

While players don’t usually need this, the Monster Manual is one of the most fun books to browse. Flipping through its pages sparks ideas for quests, villains, and adventures.

The Starter Sets: Affordable Gateways into Adventure

Not ready to dive into all three rulebooks? Wizards of the Coast has created excellent boxed sets that serve as introductions to the game. These are affordable, self-contained products designed for new players.

The D&D Starter Set

This classic set contains:

• A pre-written adventure (Lost Mine of Phandelver) that takes characters from levels 1–5.

• Pre-generated character sheets so you can jump right into the action.

• Simplified rulebook with only the essentials.

The Starter Set is perfect for groups who want to try D&D for the first time without the pressure of building characters from scratch.

The Essentials Kit

Released later, the Essentials Kit expands on the Starter Set with:

• An adventure (Dragon of Icespire Peak) that allows for more open-ended play.

• Rules for creating your own characters, not just pre-generated ones.

• A DM screen, dice, and reference cards.

• Support for playing with as few as 2 players (a DM and one adventurer).

For many, the Essentials Kit is the better starting point because it teaches more about character creation and gives flexibility in play.

Which Should You Choose?

Here’s a simple guide:

• Casual Player who just wants to join in: Start with the Player’s Handbook. It gives you all the tools you need without overwhelming extras.

• Aspiring Dungeon Master: Begin with the Starter Set or Essentials Kit. Once you’re comfortable, expand into the Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual.

• Dedicated Group Ready to Commit: Get all three core rulebooks. Together, they provide everything for long-term play and endless adventure.

Expansions and Supplements

Once you’ve dipped your toes in, you might start to notice other titles on our shelves:

• Xanathar’s Guide to Everything: Adds new subclasses, spells, and DM tools.

• Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything: Expands customization for characters.

• Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse: Updates monsters and playable races.

These aren’t necessary to start but can greatly enhance your campaign once you’re familiar with the basics.

Why Start with D&D?

Dungeons & Dragons isn’t just about rolling dice — it’s about creating a shared story with your friends. It’s collaborative, creative, and endlessly customizable. Whether you want to dive into epic battles, political intrigue, or heartfelt storytelling, D&D offers it all.

At The Hidden Lair, we carry the full range of D&D products, from core rulebooks to adventure modules. More importantly, we love introducing new players to the hobby. Whether you need advice on your first character build or help figuring out which product suits your group, we’re here to guide you on your adventure.

Final Thoughts

Starting Dungeons & Dragons may seem daunting, but the truth is there’s no wrong way to begin. You can pick up the Starter Set and be playing within an hour, or you can grab the full Player’s Handbook and dive deep into character creation. The important thing is simply to start.

Gather your party, roll some dice, and step into a world where imagination rules. And if you’re ever unsure what you need, The Hidden Lair is your local resource for all things D&D.