How to Get Started With Dungeons & Dragons

Read the Quick Start Rules. This will give you an idea of how the system works, what the rules are, how to make characters and other important information. The short version of this is the D&D mechanic, which is based on a d20, or twenty-sided die. All tests -- skill checks, combat and saving throws -- are done by rolling a d20, adding any relevant modifiers and comparing that number to the target number. For skill checks, the target number is determined by the difficulty level of the task. For combat, it is the target's Armor Class (AC), Fortitude (FORT), Reflex (REF) or Willpower (WILL). For saving throws, the target number is 10.

Find a group. There are many ways to do this. Use a website that allows players to post "want ads" for players or Dungeon Masters. Enlist your friends and family members. Visit your local gaming store and join one of their regular gaming sessions. You can also use the Wizard's site to find any local stores or groups that host Encounters events. D&D Encounters is a weekly meetup where DMs run adventure modules provided by Wizards. Encounters are open to any interested player and are an easy way to learn how to play D&D.

Select one member of your group to be the Dungeon Master, or DM. This is the person who will run the game. The DM plays all the Non-Player Characters, or NPCs, tells the story and makes the final decisions on whether you succeed or fail at any given task. The DM's job is to keep the story going, maintain group cohesion and guide the players as they make their way through the adventure.

Pick a character. The Quick Start Rules contains premade ("pregen") characters that have already been built for you. This is the easiest way to get started. The pregens are a Dwarf Fighter, Halfling Rogue, Human Wizard, Half-Elf Cleric, Dragonborn Paladin and Tiefling Warlord.

Start an adventure. The easiest way to do this is to use a module. You can purchase a module, or self-contained adventure, from your local gaming store. You can also download a PDF of one of the free starter modules from Wizard's site. These modules contain all the information a DM needs to run a short adventure. Modules specify how many players and what character levels are optimal for that particular adventure. Pick one that is geared toward first-level characters and the number of players in your group.