dnd

Dungeons & Dragons, commonly abbreviated as D&D or DnD, is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game in which players create characters and embark on adventures within a fictional universe. A typical session involves players describing their characters’ actions and dialogues, while a game master (GM) or dungeon master (DM) referees, narrates scenes, and adjudicates rules. The outcomes of actions are determined by dice, most often a twenty-sided die (d20), with modifiers from the characters’ abilities and skills.

Characters are defined by class, race, abilities, equipment, and backgrounds. The game emphasizes collaboration and storytelling, as players navigate exploration, social interactions, problem solving, and combat. Character advancement is earned through experience points and can increase abilities, unlock new features, and improve equipment.

D&D originated in the early 1970s, created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and was first published in 1974 by TSR, Inc. It evolved through multiple editions, including Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) in the 1980s, the 3rd and 3.5 editions in the 2000s, fourth edition in 2008, and the current fifth edition released in 2014 with ongoing development. Wizards of the Coast, now a subsidiary of Hasbro, owns the rights.

The game supports a wide range of settings, with the Forgotten Realms and Greyhawk among the most iconic; other settings include Eberron and Ravenloft. D&D has influenced tabletop gaming culture and has connections to fantasy literature, video games, and online media, while remaining popular among hobbyists for in-person and online play.