Hi all!

We’re a family of three, my wife, my son (11M) and I. We would like to start playing “real” D&D, after trying a very simplified version we bought a couple years ago.

I’ve been playing “real” D&D with my friends many years ago, but only as a player, never as the DM. What I’m looking for is a set comprising a Player’s Handbook, a DM Handbook and Rules (?). I’m not really sure sure what else I would need to start… I’d be the DM and the player, at least at the beginning…

Can anyone point me towards a good starter pack, with the minimum needed books? Also, any additional suggestion would be welcome.

Thanks a lot in advance!

EDIT: Thanks to everybody! These have been very useful suggestions. I think we may start with the “Starter Set” (cheap, slightly more advanced than the one we’re using right now) and if the family enjoy it we may explore the “core rule set” afterwards. Hope my son may appreciate this kind of games, as a healtier alternative to phone/pc video games :-)

  • dumples
    4•5 months ago

    Dnd has the slimmed down Basic Rules for free. It should have enough to get started playing from a rules standpoint. They are also free low level characters online as well if you don’t want to make them yourself.

    They don’t have an official free adventure but there are plenty out there. You can obviously make them and the basic rules have a DM section.

    Obviously this is recommend for the cost. The starter set and essential kits are good as well. However, they do have a cost.

    • EngywuckOP
      3•5 months ago

      Thank you. I don’t mind shelling out 20-25 euros for a set. Maybe this would make the game more appealing for the kid :-)

      • dumples
        1•5 months ago

        I liked the Essential Set more than the starter set but I bought the Essential Kit after I started playing for a while.

        The basic rules are great since you can print off a copy for everyone as their own reference and can even get just a subset for what they need to know as a character. That is great as a replacement PHB for newbies until you want to go all in on costs. I think the basic rules are identical to the starter set but I don’t remember exactly.