Dungeons and Dragons (D&D or DnD) is a role playing game designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and developed in January of 1974 by TSR. The original idea derived from strategy board games, but D&D became an unique concept and gaming style like no other.

HOW TO PLAY IT

The D&D players invent fictitious characters, they choose their abilities and undertake imaginary adventures in which they fight with diverse types of fantastic monsters - including dragons. The players obtain treasures; they can interact with each other and they gain points called experience, which lead them to become more powerful. D&D is different from the traditional games because each player has been assigned with a specific profile or role to play, unlike war games, where the players control a vast number of armies.

D&D also implemented the innovating concept of Dungeon Masters (DM, is a player that is responsible for regulating the game), that supervises the actions of the other players. A similar term from other later games is GM (Game Masters). This word was coined later in the game Tunnels and Trolls.

The famous role playing game is developed though meetings between the players and the DM. Each set of adventures are known as “campaign”. Generally, each player participates by role playing a character, although some games allow a player to use more than one. The players participate in activities, and provide attributes and possessions to their characters. There are game rules about how to create and equip each character in order to undertake adventures. These rules include a system to distribute abilities and skills. Also they serve to regulate the interaction with the other characters and to know the results of combats. Nevertheless, the DM is the final authority about the rules used on the campaign.

SUCCESS

The immediate success of Dungeons and Dragons leaded quickly to the sprouting of similar gaming system, such as RuneQuest, Tunnels and Trolls, Traveller and Arduin. In spite of the competition, D&D has continued to dominate the industry of role playing games, enjoying an irreplaceable position within the market.

In the 80s and 90s, the game was divided in two versions: Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D or ADnD) and Dungeons and Dragons. In 2000, Wizard of the Coast bought the game, and decided to unite both games into one version. So the game is now known, again, as Dungeons and Dragons.

The most recent version of the game presents detailed game rules in three books: The Player’s Handbook, the Dungeon Master’s Guide and the Monster’s Manual.

Before each game begins, each player must create his own character, registering the details in a character sheet: Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Soon after that, the player chooses a race (human, elf, dwarf, halfling; among others) and a class or profession (warrior, mage, thief, bard, priest, ranger, or paladin). The player, in addition, selects a number of “abilities” and “feats” for his character, whose specific talent complements the basic capacities of the chosen race.

Some players usually develop stories for each character: where one was born, details about the family, education, nationality, personality, religious belief and other characteristics. And a hero is born.