D&D 5E How to play DnD 5e for Free

[Horwath]

Yay, dice probably made by slave labor and the ashes of all the secret covid dead.

 

[Burnside]

I actually think D&D is very cheap to play as a PLAYER. As a player, what do you actually need? Set of dice and a mini?

Of course, a DM has a lot more expenses. This is one reason why RPG companies don't do better. You have 1 DM and 5 players and only 1 person truly needs the reference material. Compare that to video games where each must have their own copy.

Yup. I am currently running two games, one with 7 players and one with 5 (no overlap). Of the 12 of them, zero have ever spent any money on D&D whatsoever apart from buying me a couple of presents. We use DNDBEYOND with my content sharing, so they all have access to all the books for free. We play on Roll20 which is also free for them.

 

[GMMichael]

The Hypertext d20 SRD (5e d20 System Reference Document) :: 5e.d20srd.org

Contains the entire 5e d20 System Reference Document and is fully indexed, hyperlinked, searchable, and accessible.

5e.d20srd.org

Thank me later. Roll20 is a good place to find players, "table" space, and "minis." All as free as the interwebs are.

Also, @Green DM , I think I saw WotC's lawyers in the lobby, wanting royalties. Take the scaffolding outside the side office window to escape.

 

[Stoutstien]

Our local library has all the core books dice, and character sheets available to check out/take. I don't know how common that is though. Most were donated via kitty jar in local stores.

 

[Mistwell]

Yay, dice probably made by slave labor and the ashes of all the secret covid dead.

Are you living a life where you are free of anything manufactured, in part or whole, in China? If so, I'd find that an interesting story. Tell me more?

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Are you living a life where you are free of anything manufactured, in part or whole, in China? If so, I'd find that an interesting story. Tell me more?

I do my best, but I kept that comment as non-political as I could, so I will not let you goad me into crossing that line.

 

[Oofta]

We've ordered pound-o-dice in the past for distribution to new players. We got multiple complete sets for about $30. If you have a smart phone there are plenty of free dice rollers.

 

[Mistwell]

I do my best, but I kept that comment as non-political as I could, so I will not let you goad me into crossing that line.

I honestly am not trying to goad you into politics and didn't see it as a political comment apart from the broadest aspect of mentioning any foreign nation is "political". Anyway, when you say you do your best, do you mean if there is a similar product made in another nation do you go out of your way to buy that one instead even if it costs more? Do you own any dice made in China? These really are not intended as trap questions. I am not trying to lure you into a gotcha or anything like that. I'm just curious, and might consider making similar choices I suppose if it seems like something that can be easily accomplished.

 

[Al'Kelhar]

What's your point? Are those people not allowed in this conversation?

Thanks, consider me patronised.

The points, as I make on these forums occasionally is that (a) people will gripe about anything; and (b) perception does not equate to reality.

D&D is literally as expensive as a game of make believe.

Cheers, Al'kelhar

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

I honestly am not trying to goad you into politics and didn't see it as a political comment apart from the broadest aspect of mentioning any foreign nation is "political". Anyway, when you say you do your best, do you mean if there is a similar product made in another nation do you go out of your way to buy that one instead even if it costs more? Do you own any dice made in China? These really are not intended as trap questions. I am not trying to lure you into a gotcha or anything like that. I'm just curious, and might consider making similar choices I suppose if it seems like something that can be easily accomplished.

Ok. I avoid anything made there. If there is no alternative from somewhere else, I won't buy that item at all, unless there is no choice and I have to, or if I cannot find out where something was made. That includes dice, gaming books, clothes, toys, food.

 

[ccs]

How to play D&D for free:

Idea #1: You accept a thumb drive from your buddy & don't ask or wonder how he filled it.

Idea #2: It's Dec.18th as I type this. In 7 days there this major holiday where people exchange gifts. You drop hints that you need books xyz + dice. Or a gift card to some store/site that sells such things....

 

[ccs]

Ok. I avoid anything made there. If there is no alternative from somewhere else, I won't buy that item at all, unless there is no choice and I have to, or if I cannot find out where something was made. That includes dice, gaming books, clothes, toys, food.

That sounds like a full time job in & of itself.

 

[jasper]

How to play D&D for free:

Idea #1: You accept a thumb drive from your buddy & don't ask or wonder how he filled it.

Idea #2: It's Dec.18th as I type this. In 7 days there this major holiday where people exchange gifts. You drop hints that you need books xyz + dice. Or a gift card to some store/site that sells such things....

Too simple. Plastic surgery to look like the E.G.G. Fake passport. Fake Driver's License. Tell everyone you meet you fake your dead to get away from fans but really need to game and work on the real Castle Grayhawk.

 

[HawaiiSteveO]

Like most, Alberta is in lockdown phase 2 , and I had played around with Roll20 earlier but just didn't get it (not the most tech savvy person).

I've played around a little bit with Astral (looks great but fiddly). Fantasy Grounds is out as using work laptop and can't download anything to it without getting into 8 kinds of trouble.

Then I found Shard Tabletop Great stuff! I picked up the basics pretty quick, and am even playing around with adding races, monsters etc.

It's pretty intuitive, and response on Discord has been great when I have questions. I put up a map, invited some players, added some monsters and was up and playing within an hour! Lots of free maps, some adventures, stuff being added several times a week.

It's my understanding going to be a Kickstarter in January. Been tempted a few times to back projects, this one for sure!

 

[LordEntrails]

Yes, but the SRD linked in the OP includes more of the rules, so it is a better document to use.

Nah, more does not equal better. Except maybe when it comes to monsters. The Basic Rules are a better place to start for Players and probably even for DMs too.