A Pa r e n t ’ s

I n t r o d u c t i o n

t o D u n g e o n s

& D r a g o n s®

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I explain Dungeons & Dragons to myson’s/daughter’s teacher or to other parents?

Because Dungeons & Dragons is a relativelycomplex game, it may seem intimidating at firstglance. Start by explaining that D&D is a game inwhich a group of players go on an adventure andsolve problems as a team. You might add thatD&D was the game that inspired many of today’smost popular video games.

How can kids learn how to play D&D?

One of the easiest ways to learn is to start with theDungeons & Dragons Basic Game, which lays outthe rules in the simplest form. Another way is tolearn is from other D&D players. If you don’tknow other players, stop by your local game storeto find out if they host D&D games. In addition,the D&D Core Rulebooks include introductionsto the game.

Why don’t more females play D&D?

D&D has tended to appeal more to guys, thoughthere are a growing number of girls who playD&D.

Why does Dungeons & Dragons feature fantasy art?

Award-winning, original artwork is one of thethings that makes D&D such a compelling game.And today, more than ever, fantasy-themed games,books and movies – from Harry Potter to Lord ofthe Rings – are popular with audiences of all ages.Some players like D&D because of the intricatefantasy art; others are purely focused on D&D’schallenging game-play.

For more information onDungeons & Dragons,

parents can contact Wizards of the Coast at

1-800-324-6496

or visit www.wizards.com/dnd

Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards of the Coast and their respectivelogos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. in the U.S.A.

and other countries. Hasbro and its logo are trademarks ofHasbro, Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries.

© 2005 All rights reserved.

“DUNGEONS & DRAGONSrequires more imagination than

video games, and it’s cheaper, too.”

- New York Magazine

“…there’s a lot to admire about D&D andwhat it can do for kids by encouraging them

to read, do math, and think creatively.”

- The National Review

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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®: A Pop Culture Icon

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® is widelyconsidered one of the most creative andinfluential games ever made, inspiringbestselling novels, a highly rated animatedtelevision series, and a series of major motion pictures.

Among the millions of D&D players are manyof today’s most popular writers, actors,filmmakers, artists and electronic gamedesigners, who describe D&D as imaginative,inspirational and a lot of fun!

Today, as many as four million people in theU.S. play each month, while millions moreplay worldwide. D&D has been translated intomore than 16 languages, including Japaneseand Russian, and is sold in over 50 countries.

We created this brochure especially for parentsof DUNGEONS & DRAGONS players, soyou can understand more about the game thatyour son or daughter enjoys, along withmillions of others teens around the world.

A Brief History of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

In 1974, Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax cameup with a revolutionary concept: a fantasygame in which players assume the roles ofcharacters journeying through a magical worldwith medieval trappings.

This early version of DUNGEONS &DRAGONS, assembled around Gygax’skitchen table, required only dice, pencils, graphpaper, and a few basic rules. At a local gameconvention in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, D&Dproved an instant bestseller.

Since that time, D&D has gone throughseveral editions, and expanded its reach tostimulate the billion-dollar electronic gamingindustry, but the essence of D&D has stayedthe same. Three rulebooks, a set of dice, penand paper and a few friends are all anyoneneeds to play a great D&D game.

How do you play?

Dungeons & Dragons is simply interactivestorytelling. Players gather together in oneroom to take part in an imaginary adventurethat often involves exploring a castle ordungeon, defeating monsters and discoveringtreasure. One player takes on the role ofnarrator and rulekeeper, or “Dungeon Master.”He or she describes to the others what they’reseeing or hearing during the course of thegame.

D&D players begin a game by creating theirown unique characters. Players choose a “race,”such as a human, elf or dwarf and anoccupation, or “class,” such as fighter or rogue.Players then roll a series of dice to determineother attributes, such as intelligence, strengthand appearance.

Once a party of characters is formed, theDungeon Master leads the group through thestory line, usually over a series of sessions. Ascharacters journey through various lands, theysearch for hidden treasures while battlingmenacing monsters with their own brains andbrawn. Players can respond to challengesindividually or as a group, but most often theyconfront and solve problems together usingstrategic thinking and teamwork.

How do you win?

Everyone’s a winner in D&D, since the purposeof a game is really to accomplish a mutual goal,such as finding lost treasure or liberating acaptive village. The game continues to appealto an ever-increasing population of fansbecause the focus is not on competition, butinstead on imagination and narrative.

Why Play D&D?

It’s smart…

Reading and math are both a big part of D&D.Also, players need to do a lot of problemsolving and strategic thinking to get throughan adventure successfully, including usingeveryone’s unique skills to accomplish a singletask.

It’s social…

While watching TV and playing video gamesare often done alone, D&D is a very socialactivity. Face-to-face play helps teens developsocial skills and build confidence.

It’s the real thing…

Many of today’s most popular video games wereinspired by D&D. Unlike most electronicgames, however, D&D allows players to createtheir own worlds and characters. D&D is aslimitless as a player’s imagination.

“The power of D&D is that it is a groupstorytelling session. Teens create their own

characters and get to know more abouteach other and about themselves as theircharacters explore the world that you, asthe Dungeon Master, set before them.

D&D lets teens collaborate on a commongoal in a way that is rare today.”

- Nikol Price, Youth Librarian

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