Do I need to buy miniatures and a battle map to play D&D?

No. Many groups play entirely in their imagination — called theater of the mind. Miniatures and battle maps enhance tactical combat but are not required. If you want visual aids, start with a dry-erase grid mat and coins or chess pieces as tokens before investing in miniatures.

How many players do I need for D&D?

The ideal group is 4 players plus 1 Dungeon Master. The game works with 3-6 players plus DM. Two players plus DM works with sidekick rules. One player plus DM is called a duet and is a great way to learn. Finding 4-5 committed players is often the hardest part of starting D&D.

Best Dungeons & Dragons Starter Sets 2026