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Starter Dice and Table Gear for New DMs

You can run your first game with a pencil, paper and one set of dice. Everything below is optional. It's the short list of gear that makes the table easier to run once you know you'll keep playing.

Before buying anything, grab the free printable condition cards and initiative tracker and the session zero checklist.

Dice

A standard set has seven dice: d4, d6, d8, d10, a percentile d10, d12 and d20. Players share at first, so one or two sets are enough for a whole new group. Bigger multi-set packs make sense once each player wants their own.

A dice tray

A tray keeps rolls from bouncing off the table or knocking over minis. A folding tray packs flat in a bag.

A battle mat and wet-erase markers

A grid mat lets you sketch rooms during play and count movement in squares. Use wet-erase markers: they won't smudge when a hand brushes the mat, and wipe off with a damp cloth.

What you can skip at first

Next: plan your first fight with the free encounter calculator, or see beginner books and adventures.