The Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual, in that order, arewhat you need the most to play at home. They contain the "Core Rules" to play the game with. You can access a lot of those rules through the DnDBeyond website, but you'll need at least the Player's Handbook to get access to all the character creation options. It also contains an explanation of how to play for new players, as well as a (very) small collection of monsters and gear. Make sure you're buying the newest version, published in 2024, as it contains the updated rules, rather than the 2014 publication, which is now out of date.
If you want to go really nuts, you can also look into an adventure module, like "Tales From the Yawning Portal" or "Phandelver and Below," which contain pre-made adventures he can run, in case he doesn't feel confident planning his own game from the jump. Phandelver and Below specifically includes a starter adventure that is a really good tool to ease new players into Dungeons and Dragons, as they start with really simple concepts and develop into more complex ideas as you go. Please note, if you purchase them on DnDBeyond, you want to make sure you know if you're buying the physical or digital copies.
If they're playing or DMing, I would get them the Player's Handbook, unless the group shares copies of the book, at which point getting the DMG would be the second-best choice
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Hello! Call me GAYto or Gato (Cat in Spanish) My pronouns are They/them I am a teenager. I have ADHD, Depression, and anxiety. I'm also Genderfluid, Pansexual, Aromantic, Trans, and Asexual, but this community means the world to me; you cannot change that about me ALL HAIL O_MERLIN_O. 4D8 ATTEMPT:[roll]1d8[/roll] + [roll]1d8[/roll] + [roll]1d8[/roll] + [roll]1d8[/roll] = [roll][roll:-4]+[roll:-3]+[roll:-2]+[roll:-1][/roll] I have adopted Golden, Salem, and Aspen; they are my D&D children.
Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual. Can you ask them if they are playing 2012 (as in the year) or 2024 (as in the year) edition? If they are playing 2012, and you have enough spare cash for their Xmas Gift, I can suggest a few more books.
If you are just starting/trying the game, you don't need any books as the basic rules are available for free. (I certainly wouldn't bother with the DM's Guide or Monster Manual just yet.) If your son wants a book, the Player's Handbook is a great choice as it is geared towards character creation and explaining game rules as they relate to players with characters (rather than DMs). If one or more people are brand new to the game, I've heard great things about the newest Starter Set that Plaguescarred mentioned above.
Edit: Here is a free intro adventure you or your son could run. Stormwreck Isle
I have never played this game. My son was in an after school group that played for a few weeks and really enjoyed it.
He has asked for “dnd book” so he can play with us here at home. I am thinking perfect Xmas gift!
What do you suggest https://xender.vip/ ? Thanks :)
The Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual, in that order, are what you need the most to play at home. They contain the "Core Rules" to play the game with. You can access a lot of those rules through the DnDBeyond website, but you'll need at least the Player's Handbook to get access to all the character creation options. It also contains an explanation of how to play for new players, as well as a (very) small collection of monsters and gear. Make sure you're buying the newest version, published in 2024, as it contains the updated rules, rather than the 2014 publication, which is now out of date.
If you want to go really nuts, you can also look into an adventure module, like "Tales From the Yawning Portal" or "Phandelver and Below," which contain pre-made adventures he can run, in case he doesn't feel confident planning his own game from the jump. Phandelver and Below specifically includes a starter adventure that is a really good tool to ease new players into Dungeons and Dragons, as they start with really simple concepts and develop into more complex ideas as you go. Please note, if you purchase them on DnDBeyond, you want to make sure you know if you're buying the physical or digital copies.
I'd suggest D&D Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands it comes fully loaded with rules, maps, tokens, sheets etc
Then if y'all like it you can go get the core rulebooks and perhaps some adventures.
If they're playing or DMing, I would get them the Player's Handbook, unless the group shares copies of the book, at which point getting the DMG would be the second-best choice
Hello! Call me GAYto or Gato (Cat in Spanish)
My pronouns are They/them
I am a teenager. I have ADHD, Depression, and anxiety. I'm also Genderfluid, Pansexual, Aromantic, Trans, and Asexual,
but this community means the world to me; you cannot change that about me
ALL HAIL O_MERLIN_O. 4D8 ATTEMPT:[roll]1d8[/roll] + [roll]1d8[/roll] + [roll]1d8[/roll] + [roll]1d8[/roll] = [roll][roll:-4]+[roll:-3]+[roll:-2]+[roll:-1][/roll]
I have adopted Golden, Salem, and Aspen; they are my D&D children.
Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual. Can you ask them if they are playing 2012 (as in the year) or 2024 (as in the year) edition? If they are playing 2012, and you have enough spare cash for their Xmas Gift, I can suggest a few more books.
Sig but long ^w^
Gulpmissle Day, Saturday, Feburay 15th, 2025
💛🤍💜🖤 🩷💛💙
Henlo, I am a pan, NB, chaotic ADHD mess of a furry.
I am also a eepy eeper, who likes WoF, WC, and fire.
If you are just starting/trying the game, you don't need any books as the basic rules are available for free. (I certainly wouldn't bother with the DM's Guide or Monster Manual just yet.) If your son wants a book, the Player's Handbook is a great choice as it is geared towards character creation and explaining game rules as they relate to players with characters (rather than DMs). If one or more people are brand new to the game, I've heard great things about the newest Starter Set that Plaguescarred mentioned above.
Edit: Here is a free intro adventure you or your son could run. Stormwreck Isle