The best gift ideas for D&D newcomers

polygon.com:

Dungeons & Dragons characters will go to great lengths to uncover valuable treasure, like challenging dangerous monsters, exploring cursed catacombs, and taking on sketchy quests. Luckily, getting good loot for a new D&D player is a lot easier.

The tabletop role-playing game has never been more popular or easier to get into, but with so many products available from Wizards of the Coast and other publishers, it can be hard to sort out what’s actually going to be fun or useful for newcomers. Whether you’re buying for kids or adults who are beginners, here are some gift ideas that can extend the passion for fantasy adventure to the gaming table and beyond.

The imaginative play and socialization D&D provides is great for all ages, and Places & Portals makes it especially easy for kids to get in on the fun. Packed with colorful illustrations, the book largely eschews rules and instead provides guidance on how to come up with worlds, characters, adventures, and stories with the help of some friends. It offers a primer on some of D&D’s most notable settings and monsters, as well as possible encounters, encouraging the reader to think about the best ways to approach various challenges.

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Everything you need for your first D&D adventure is packaged in this affordable box, which is designed for new Dungeon Masters and players. It includes a set of dice, five ready-to-play characters, and an adventure to take them through the game’s first three levels as they navigate an ancient conflict between dragons. There are maps for the DM and players to use, plus suggestions for dialogue and creative solutions to challenges. It’s a great way to get a taste of the game without making too much of an