Buying guide
Dungeons and Dragons Beginners Set: What to Check First
A beginners set gets a group to the table quickly, but the box only works if it fits your table size, who will run the game, and the figures you plan to paint. Run through the checks below before you buy.
What a starter box usually covers
Public descriptions of beginner boxes commonly mention basic play instructions, a low-level adventure, and pre-made characters. Some boxes also include dice, maps, or figures. The exact contents differ from box to box, so treat any list as a starting point and check the contents on each product page.
Four checks before you buy
These checks decide whether a box fits your group. Read each one against the product page you are considering.
Table size
Check the player count printed on the box or product page and match it to the number of people who will sit at the table.
Who runs the game
One person needs to learn the rules and guide the story. Decide who that will be before you buy, because a beginners set is built around that role.
What is already on your table
Compare the contents list with what your group already owns, such as dice, character sheets, pencils, and a play surface. Buy only what the set does not include.
Figures and painting
Check whether the box includes figures and how many. If you plan to paint them, count the figures your group will need before you start.
Match the box to your group
A solo guide who wants to learn the rules first needs different things than a group that already has a Dungeon Master. A buyer who wants painted figures on the table within a week needs a box with figures and a clear painting plan. A gift buyer should match the box to the recipient's experience: a first-time player and a returning player need different starting points.
Paint the figures you get
Unpainted figures play just as well, but painting makes them easier to tell apart at the table. Hands-On Hobby Notes' beginner painting guide follows a seven-step workflow: assemble, clean, prime, base coat, contrast shadow, contrast highlight, and base. You can apply the same order to D&D figures.
Learn to paint miniatures with acrylicBefore you buy checklist
Use this list on the product page or in the store.
- The player count matches the number of people at your table.
- Someone has agreed to learn the rules and run the game.
- The contents list shows the dice, sheets, and rules you need, and you have checked what you already own.
- The number of figures matches how many you plan to paint.
- The price is checked on the current product page.
- The retailer's return policy is read before you order.
Ready to paint your first party?
Get the supplies that turn a box of figures into painted miniatures you are proud to put on the table.
See the painting supplies you will needFrequently asked questions
Do I need to paint the figures to play?
No. Unpainted figures work at the table. Painting is optional and mainly helps players tell figures apart.
Is a beginners set enough to run a full campaign?
A beginners set is designed for a first adventure. Most groups add books, dice, and figures as their campaign continues.
How do I check what is in a box?
Read the contents list on the official product page, then compare it with what you already own before you order.
Should I buy a beginners set as a gift?
Yes, if you match the box to the recipient's experience. A first-time player and an experienced player need different starting points.