You do not need a shelf of rulebooks or a dragon’s hoard of accessories to start playing D&D. At minimum, you need a character, access to the rules, a character sheet, something for notes, a standard polyhedral dice set, and a group to play with.
That is the short answer to “what do you need to play D&D?” Everything else can be added when it makes the game easier, clearer, or more fun. This Canadian beginner’s guide separates the essentials from the tempting extras, explains which dice you need, and gives new players and Dungeon Masters a practical starting checklist.
What you actually need to play D&D
A first session can be remarkably simple. You can play around a kitchen table, online, at a local game store, or anywhere your group can talk and keep track of the story.
- A character: Your character is the person you play in the story. A pre-generated character works perfectly for a first game, so you do not need to learn every character-building rule before starting.
- Access to the rules: One person in the group should have access to the rules being used. That might be a physical rulebook, digital rules, or a beginner-friendly quick reference supplied by the Dungeon Master.
- A character sheet: This records your abilities, equipment, spells, hit points, and other details. Printed and digital sheets both work.
- A pencil or digital equivalent: Hit points change. Equipment appears and disappears. Names of suspicious tavern keepers must be recorded somewhere.
- Polyhedral dice: A standard seven-piece set covers the usual D&D dice: D4, D6, D8, two D10s, D12, and D20.
- People to play with: Most groups have one Dungeon Master and several players, but group size and play style can vary.
You do not need miniatures, terrain, a custom table, or a matching set of accessories to begin. Those can be useful later, but they are supporting cast rather than entry requirements.
What dice do you need for D&D?
The normal starting point is one complete seven-piece polyhedral dice set. Each die is named for its number of faces:
- D4: Commonly used for small weapons, healing, and minor effects.
- D6: The familiar six-sided die, used for many weapons, spells, and class abilities.
- D8: Often used for weapon damage, healing, and character abilities.
- D10: Used for damage, healing, and other effects.
- Percentile D10: Marked in tens from 00 to 90 and rolled with a regular D10 to generate a number from 1 to 100.
- D12: Used for powerful weapons, spells, and certain class features.
- D20: The die you will roll most often for attacks, ability checks, and saving throws.
A seven-piece set normally includes two D10s so you can roll percentile results. Some classes use certain dice more often than others, but one complete set is enough for any beginner. Start with the IceForge Dice Sets collection, or browse Rounded Edge Dice if you prefer a familiar, comfortable first set.
Choosing your first dice set
Your first D&D dice should be complete, readable, and enjoyable to use. Material changes the feel and appearance, but it does not change which numbers you can roll.
- Standard resin: Light, comfortable, colourful, and a practical everyday choice.
- Sharp-edge resin: Crisp facets and clear faces that show off inclusions, foil, flowers, or layered colour.
- Liquid core: A sealed inner chamber creates visible movement and shimmer after the die lands.
- Metal: Heavier and more substantial, with a satisfying roll that benefits from a padded tray.
- Gemstone: Naturally varied stone or glass with collector appeal; best handled carefully on a soft surface.
This article keeps the comparison brief so it does not repeat the full Best D&D Dice in Canada 2026 buyer’s guide. That guide covers the advantages, considerations, and ideal uses for resin, sharp edge, Liquid Core Dice, Diamond Edge Dice, Metal Dice, and Gemstone Dice Sets in more detail.
For a first set, prioritize number contrast over subtle beauty. A gorgeous die that becomes unreadable under game-night lighting will make every roll feel like a tiny eye exam.
Do you need more than one dice set?
No. One complete polyhedral set is enough to start playing D&D.
Extra dice become convenient when your character rolls several of the same die at once, when another player forgets theirs, or when one particular D20 has clearly betrayed the party and must spend the evening thinking about what it has done.
Many players eventually collect several sets because different colours, materials, and themes suit different characters. That is part of the fun, but it is not a requirement. Start with one readable set, learn which dice you use most, and add more only when you know what would improve your sessions.
What does the Dungeon Master need?
The Dungeon Master describes the world, presents its challenges, plays its characters and monsters, and keeps the session moving. A new DM needs many of the same basics as a player, plus a little more organization.
- Rules and adventure notes: Keep the rules you expect to reference and enough notes to guide the session. You do not need to prepare every possible decision.
- Dice: A normal polyhedral set works for the DM too. Extra D20s and damage dice can speed up busy encounters, but they are optional.
- A campaign notebook or digital notes: Track locations, non-player characters, clues, and the unexpected person the party decided was now central to the plot. IceForge’s Dragon’s Keep A5 Fantasy Notebook is one currently available option for physical campaign notes.
- A DM screen: Useful for hiding notes, maps, and surprise rolls while keeping quick references nearby.
- Reference material: Short lists of names, conditions, difficulty guidelines, and commonly used rules can reduce pauses.
- Maps and miniatures: Helpful when exact position matters, but sketches, tokens, or theatre-of-the-mind play are equally valid.
The Dragon’s Hoard Embossed DM Screen is currently available for DMs who want a physical four-panel screen with reference inserts and a storage sleeve.
Optional D&D accessories worth adding later
Accessories are worth buying when they solve a real problem or make the table more enjoyable. These are useful additions, not admission fees.
- Dice tray: Keeps rolls contained and protects the table, especially with metal, gemstone, sharp-edge, or oversized dice. The IceForge Dice Blue Dice Tray is currently in stock.
- Dice storage: A divided case or protective bag keeps sets together and prevents harder materials from scratching softer resin.
- Premium dice: Liquid core, metal, and gemstone sets make memorable character dice or campaign gifts once you know which feel you prefer.
- Jumbo D20: Not necessary, but excellent for boss fights, campaign finales, and any roll that deserves witnesses. Browse the current Jumbo Dice collection.
- DM screen and notebooks: Helpful for campaign organization, quick references, and keeping the players from reading the villain’s name three sessions early.
You can browse the current D&D accessories available from IceForge Dice before deciding what would actually help your table.
Buying D&D dice and accessories in Canada
Where you buy can matter almost as much as what you buy. Canadian players comparing D&D accessories in Canada often have to account for exchange rates, international shipping, and possible cross-border charges before they can judge the real cost.
IceForge Dice displays prices in CAD and ships from Canada. For Canadian customers, buying from a domestic retailer offers several practical advantages:
- Prices in Canadian dollars: Compare products without estimating exchange rates or foreign-card conversion fees.
- Domestic Canadian shipping: Orders travel within Canada rather than beginning with an international border crossing.
- Fewer cross-border complications: Domestic purchases avoid customer-side import duties and brokerage fees. Applicable Canadian taxes and shipping charges still appear at checkout.
- Local support: Questions go to a Canadian tabletop retailer familiar with domestic shipping and game-store needs.
- Support for a Canadian business: Your purchase helps a local retailer continue bringing distinctive tabletop RPG accessories to Canadian players.
That does not mean every beginner needs premium equipment. It simply makes the total price and delivery path easier to understand when you are ready to buy your first DND dice set or add Dungeon Master accessories in Canada.
Beginner D&D checklist
Essential
- Character or pre-generated character
- Character sheet
- Access to the rules being used
- One complete polyhedral dice set
- Pencil, notebook, or digital notes
- A group and a place to play
Nice to have
- Extra dice for commonly rolled damage or abilities
- Dice tray and protective storage
- Miniatures, tokens, or maps
- DM screen and campaign notebook
- Premium dice in your preferred material
- A Jumbo D20 for appropriately unreasonable moments
Frequently asked questions
What dice do I need to play D&D?
You need a standard seven-piece polyhedral set containing a D4, D6, D8, D10, percentile D10, D12, and D20. One complete set is enough for any beginner character.
Do I need to buy dice to start playing D&D?
Not necessarily. You can borrow dice from another player or use an approved digital roller. Owning one physical set is convenient and makes it easier to learn which die is which.
How many dice should a beginner have?
Start with one seven-piece set. Buy extra dice later if your class regularly rolls several of the same type or if you simply discover that collecting dice is now part of your personality.
What is the most important die in D&D?
The D20 is rolled most often because it resolves attacks, ability checks, and saving throws. The other dice remain important for damage, healing, spells, and class abilities.
Does the Dungeon Master need different dice?
No. A Dungeon Master uses the same polyhedral dice as the players. Extra D20s and damage dice can make larger encounters faster, but a standard set is enough to begin.
Where can I buy D&D dice in Canada?
IceForge Dice is a Canadian dice store based in Nova Scotia, with prices in CAD and shipping from within Canada. Begin with the complete Dice Sets collection and filter by material, shape, or style.
Start simple and add what helps
The best D&D starter setup is the one that gets you playing. Bring a character, access to the rules, a sheet, notes, one complete dice set, and people ready to tell a story together. Learn what your table actually needs before buying every accessory that looks useful.
When you are ready, explore D&D dice sets available in Canada and choose something readable, complete, and difficult to leave behind on game night.
Dungeons & Dragons and D&D are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast. IceForge Dice is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast.