I’m sure that we have all at least heard of the game Dungeons and Dragons. Honestly at this point it’s pretty hard to miss. You may have learned about it from series such as “Stranger Things,” “Critical Role” and “Baldur’s Gate.” These are just some of the massive franchises that involve the popular role-playing game (RPG).

Each of the formerly mentioned series’ stories contain one of two things: characters playing D&D or characters existing in the world of D&D. Mentions of D20s and eldritch monsters fill the mouths of the protagonists, painting a very specific picture for the viewer.

With that being said, what exactly do you think D&D is about?

The first thing that comes to mind is probably an image of a bunch of nerds sitting around a table rolling dice and fighting monsters with their imagination, which is honestly pretty accurate. However, that is only half of the game.

The second half of the game is almost never shown: the roleplaying aspect.

When you play Dungeons and Dragons, you take on the role of a character of your own personal creation. You control every aspect of your character, everything from their name, race, class, weapons, spells, backstory and most importantly, their personality. When you play D&D, you don’t just play as a fantastical character, you become them.

This isn’t exclusive to Dungeons and Dragons, however. Most tabletop RPGs have you become your characters. There are many different RPGs genres. The most popular tends to be fantasy, which includes games such as Pathfinder, Vampire: The Masquerade and Call Cthulhu. There also tends to be a decent amount of sci-fi games, like Starfinder, Cyberpunk Red and Traveler, just to name a few.

There’s also the case of license RPGs. The Last Airbender, Transformers, Marvel, Power Rangers and Star Wars are just a handful of the franchises that have received tabletop games.

Due to the sheer number of different games, settings and potentially characters, there is an infinite number of ways to play, which is why I believe that everyone should play tabletop RPGs.

First off, let’s talk about the story. Imagine all of the works of fiction that you have enjoyed in your life. Think of the compelling narratives, lovable characters, passionate villains and hilarious moments in them. D&D is not just a game, but rather, it is a way to take these stories and allow you and your friends to become the main characters by roleplaying.

One of the most defining features of D&D is that imagination is the limit. If there is ever something you have wanted to do, you can make it happen. Instead of just watching or reading a story, you get to be a part of it.

There’s weight behind your actions. What you say, who you attack and how you handle certain situations all matter. You’re in direct control of the story; it’s a totally unique experience that you can’t really find anywhere else.

While you may have control over what happens, it’s not total control. Every action is determined by rolling dice, most commonly the D20, or a 20- sided dice. The dice have just as much influence over the story as the players do.

You can’t just say that you want to throw a fireball at a goblin. You have to roll for it. High rolls are successful while low rolls are failures. The unpredictable nature of the dice builds tension and helps create stakes at the table. It can also lead to some truly epic moments like rolling a natural 20, also known as a critical success.

Now, not every tabletop game uses the same dice system. However, they tend to all have something very similar, such as the Marvel RPG’s d616 system.

Sometimes a campaign doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. For example, a poor dice roll can totally derail an encounter or even a whole game. When this happens, the players and Dungeon Master (DM) usually have to find a creative way to get the story back on track.

Tabletop games are a fantastic creative outlet. I am a firm believer that everyone should do something at least a little bit creative. Having a good creative outlet can be beneficial to one’s mental wellbeing and help to allow one to express themselves.

Between the character creation, the story possibilities and general aesthetic, tabletop games are filled to the brim with creative possibilities.

The best part of all of this is that playing TTRPG is a group activity. You’re not creating this world of chaos all by yourself. There’s this sense of partnership that comes with every action. Everyone’s attached to their respective characters and wants the best for them.

It’s also a judgment free zone. You are allowed to get as nerdy as you want to get. Your character can be whatever you want them to be.

As much as I enjoy the hobby, I will say that from a distance, it seems pretty intimidating. New players tend to believe that they need a whole shopping list of items. Everything from rule books, miniatures, a battle map, character sheets, multiple sets of dice, a dice tower, and a DM screen.

Now, don’t get me wrong, all of that definitely helps. However, the reality of the situation is much simpler. All you need is some friends and an internet connection. You can find most of the material needed online.

There are plenty of websites that offer countless free and easy to use resources. D&D Beyond, Owlbear Rodeo and Roll 20 are just some of the websites that can help you get started.

With that being said, I do recommend at least buying a set of dice and at the very least a starter set. You can of course just use a virtual dice roller; however, to me rolling a physical dice feels much more satisfying.

As you probably noticed, I really like tabletop gaming. It’s a fun game to play with friends, a great way to be creative and overall just a positive experience. If you ever want to escape the real world for a few hours, I highly recommend trying out at least one tabletop game.

Plus you can finally understand what the kids from “Stranger Things” are talking about.