What You Actually Need

Show newcomers that minimal gear can launch their first session, both in person and online.
6 min read
Everyone

What You Actually Need

You don't need miniatures, custom dice towers, or elaborate maps. A few simple tools—physical or digital aids that support play—and a way to talk together will get you through your first session. Start small, play tonight, and add more later if you want.

Before you shop or download anything, make sure you've covered What Is a Tabletop RPG?—it explains the basics this lesson builds on.

What you'll learn

  • The essential tools for in-person and online play.
  • How a digital table changes what you need.
  • Free resources that replace expensive rulebooks.

The short list

For in-person play:

  • A way to generate random numbers (dice, a dice app, or a deck of cards).
  • Paper and pencils for notes and character sheets.
  • A shared rulebook or free online rules.

For a digital table—playing via voice or video chat, sometimes with shared tools—you need:

  • A way to talk (Discord, Zoom, or similar).
  • A dice roller (bot, website, or app).
  • A shared document for character sheets and notes (Google Doc or simple text file).

The rest is optional. Maps, music, fancy character portraits—save those until you know you love the game.

Dice alternatives

Classic six-sided dice are everywhere. If you own a board game, you probably have some. Need different dice sizes? Try these:

  • Dice apps: Roll dice from your phone. Many are free.
  • Online rollers: Websites like Roll20 or dedicated dice sites let you click and roll.
  • Playing cards: Assign numbers to suits or face cards. Draw, check the value, shuffle back in.

You can run a full session with a single six-sided die and addition. Most systems scale to whatever you have on hand.

Free rules to try

Many tabletop RPGs publish free starter rules called System Reference Documents (SRDs). These documents let you learn the basics without buying a book. Search for "free SRD" plus the genre you like—fantasy, mystery, science fiction. Some systems are fully free and open.

The Game Master (GM) often holds the rules. Players only need to know their character's options. Start with a short, free ruleset and expand if the group wants more depth.

Digital table tips

A digital table removes some friction: no need to drive, easier scheduling across time zones, and built-in dice rollers. But you lose body language and side chat. Pick your trade-off.

You don't need complex virtual tabletop software for your first game. Voice chat and a shared note work fine. Add a map tool or character tracker only if your group asks for it.

Try this (2 minutes)

List what you already own: a device, dice, pencils, paper. Add one free tool you can download or access in a browser tonight. That's your starter kit. You're ready.

Common pitfalls

  • Buying a full core rulebook first. Try a free SRD or starter set instead. You'll know what you like after session one.
  • Thinking digital play requires elaborate software. A video call and a dice bot cover the basics.
  • Waiting for the perfect setup. Gather your group, pick simple tools, and start. You can upgrade later.

Do this next: Online Play Basics