Best Dungeons and Dragons Gift Ideas for 2023 [IGN]
Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the world of tabletop gaming, this gift guide is for you. We’ve scoured the land to bring you the best gifts for those who love to roll the dice and embark on epic quests. So, gather your party and let’s embark on a journey to find the ultimate D&D gifts
TL;DR – Must-Have D&D Gifts of 2023
We’ve got a ton of recommendations for the RPG fan in your life further down the page, but if you’re looking for the short short version, these are our picks for the must-have D&D and tabletop gifts this year.
Jump To
- The Best D&D Gifts Under $50
- The Best D&D Books & Adventures
- Other Awesome Tabletop RPGs
- The Best D&D/Tabletop RPG Accessories
- The Best D&D/Tabletop Minis
- Best D&D Gear and Apparel
- Best Online D&D Gifts of 2022
- Coolest Luxury D&D Gifts of 2022
The Best D&D Gifts Under $50
There’s no denying that Dungeons & Dragons has become more popular than ever in recent years, thanks to which the tabletop community as a whole has seen a massive boom of new players filling out character sheets and rolling dice. But, D&D (or any tabletop game, really) can be an expensive hobby, so here are some of our favorite D&D gifts that won’t break the bank.
Dragon of Stormwreck Isle D&D Starter Set
For those who’ve never played, this box has everything you need to get started for under $20! It includes the basic rules for all players along with dice, character sheets, and a dungeon master’s guide to the latest introductory adventure.
Mimic Plush
While the “real” ones are sticky and will almost assuredly eat you, this adorable take on the shapeshifting monster will stay the same super-cute shape and (probably) not try to eat you.
Beholder Plush
How? How is this thing so cute?? It’s a psychic monster from another dimension that is literally made out of eyeballs. Yet it’s adorable.
Hero Forge
Hero Forge (Gift Cards)
When it comes to custom minis, there’s no beating Hero Forge. There are hundreds of options for everything from your character’s species to their gear, armor, and facial expressions – and printed minis start at $20!
D&D Player Spellbook Cards
Whether you’re a first-level Cleric or a 12th-level Wizard, keeping track of all your spells can be a chore! These handy spell cards contain all the official spells for each class in one deck and are a great gift for players, not just DMs.
Goblin Warband
This simple set of 6 minis is a perfect gift for new DMs running lower-level adventures. After all, what adventuring party worth its salt doesn’t start out facing off against these mischievous monsters?
Icons of the Realms Mini Booster Box
These randomized packs of minis from WizKids contain 3 or 4 figures sized small, medium, and giant. We especially recommend the Boneyard set and Fangs & Talons for DMs looking for versatile minis that can be used in almost any campaign.
Pastel D&D Logo T-Shirt
We’ve got tons of D&D merch in the IGN Store, but this one is our favorite. The colorful crest will let any fellow adventurers know you’re ready to join their quest.
Best D&D Books & Adventures of 2022
Whether you’re shopping for someone running the game, rolling their first character, or ending the fifth campaign this year, you can never go wrong with a new book. This year’s new releases have sent players to space, through mystical regions of the astral planes, expanded on fan-favorite settings and introduced a whole new book of monsters with updated rules and playable races.
D&D Rules Expansion Gift Set
A must-have for 5th Edition DMs and a great addition to any player’s compendium, this three-book collection includes loads of new optional rules, tools, player options, spells, monsters, and more.
D&D Core Rulebooks Gift Set
The foundation of any D&D library, this three-book set includes the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and the Monster Manual. Everything you need to create and run infinite adventures in your own unique worlds!
D&D Starter Set (2022 Edition)
Everything you need to get started playing D&D in one easy kit! This set includes the basic rules for all players, along with dice, character sheets, and a dungeon master’s guide to the latest introductory adventure, Dragons of Stormwreck Isle.
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
If the full expansion set isn’t for you, this is the one book we consider a must-have when it comes to adding extra official options into your game. It features additional character options, optional rules, new magic items, and DM tools.
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
Take to the stars in this new take on the classic D&D setting from second edition! This three-book set includes a player’s guide, sci-fi specific bestiary, a full adventure module, and a Spelljammer-specific DM screen.
Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel
Radiant Citadel is a collection of 13 short stand-alone D&D adventures (which can be tied together) for characters level 1–14 across a rich and varied collection of culturally-inspired stories in magical lands.
Monsters of the Multiverse
A massive overhaul to the D&D bestiary, this book contains 30+ playable species and updated stats and lore for more than 250 monsters.
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
The classic setting returns in this combination adventure/sourcebook full of new challenges for your table. Heroes will explore the world and politics of Krynn, even take command of its armies as the Dragon Army marches to overthrow the realm.
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep
If you’re shopping for a Critical Role fan or someone who wants to explore a new fantasy setting, Call of the Netherdeep is a great sourcebook/adventure for any D&D fan.
Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
This combo sourcebook and adventure modules casts players at students at the most prestigious magical academy in the Magic: The Gathering universe. Of course, if you want to develop your own school of witchcraft and wizardry, there are rules for that too!
Other Awesome Tabletop RPGs
While D&D may be the oldest tabletop roleplaying game, there are tons of other amazing RPGs to experience as well. Whether they’re tied into your favorite video game or movie franchise, or just a great set of rules from independent developers, these are some of our favorite TTRPGs that aren’t Dungeons & Dragons.
R. Talsorian Games
Cyberpunk 2020 / Cyberpunk RED
The inspiration for the infamous Cyberpunk 2077, this collection of RPGs set in a dystopian alternate future will give you a whole new perspective on Night City and its memorable cast of characters.
The Witcher TTRPG
Tell your own stories in the dark fantasy world of CD Projekt Red’s massively popular video games, with deadly stakes and intense tactical combat.
The Witcher: Expanded Reading
Whether you’re looking for adventures set on The Continent or a bevvy of monstrous foes to throw at your players, these books expand the rules and lore of The Witcher, with the only boundary being your imagination.
Evil Hat RPGs
Whether you’re looking to play as a group of scheming assassins, teen monster hunters in their small town, sword-wielding walking thirst traps, or to create your own worlds and systems entirely, Evil Hat Productions has a suite of RPGs for any game group.
Paizo, Inc.
Pathfinder: Beginner Box
A simple yet comprehensive introduction to the latest edition of Pathfinder, complete with character sheets, rules, a starting adventure, and tabletop figures.
Pathfinder: Kingmaker – The Complete Adventure
One of Pathfinder’s most beloved adventures has been updated to Second Edition and compiled into one massive adventure tome.
Pathfinder: The Dark Archive
Dive into the world of the supernatural in this sourcebook for PF2. This hardcover tome includes two new player classes along with a suite of other options, as well as GM tools and rules for paranormal adventures.
Pathfinder: Impossible Lands
Expand your adventures across the world of Golarion with this sourcebook for the Impossible Lands, a region long fractured by a magical war between archmages.
Lasers & Feelings
From the co-author of Blades in the Dark, Lasers & Feelings might be the simplest RPG system ever, using only two stats. It’s a great choice for one shots and small groups who want a lot of narrative options without a ton of rules.
Ten Candles
Ten Candles is an indie RPG about the last hours in the lives of a group of survivors of a sunless apocalypse. It’s designed for each game to be a one-shot, and perfect for those looking for a more intimate horror experience at their tables.
Fiasco
Fiasco is a GM-less RPG for 3-6 players about poorly planned and bungled schemes. It’s designers say it best: “it’s like making your own Coen brothers movie, in about the same amount of time it’d take to watch one.”
Paizo, Inc.
Starfinder: Beginner Box
Want a little science in your fantasy? Starfinder is perfect for players who want to battle monstrous aliens in space with laser swords, but don’t want to go full Star Wars.
Paizo, Inc.
Starfinder: Dead Suns – The Complete Adventure
The first published Starfinder adventure path has been republished in this hardcover collection. A great introduction for new players or a fresh campaign for an existing party, Dead Suns is a great sci-fantasy adventure.
World of Darkness RPGs
Vampires, werewolves, and ghosts, oh my! The infamous World of Darkness RPGs let players craft their own tales of horror and intrigue amid the secret ancient rivalries of our modern world.
Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game
This limited edition reprint of the 1987 rule and sourcebooks for Star Wars: TRPG can be hard to find, but is a great gift for any explorer of that galaxy far, far away.
Dishonored: The Tabletop RPG
This tabletop adaptation of Arkane’s exceptional stealth-action games uses a smart d20 system and provides a ton of additional insight into the world and lore of the Dishonored universe.
Of course, if you don’t see anything here, our favorite thing to reccommend is that you pay a visit to your friendly local gaming store! They’ll almost definitely be able to help you find the game that’s right for you.
Best D&D/RPG Accessories of 2022
If you’re playing D&D in person, odds are you’ve got the basics covered: some dice, a few character sheets, and maybe a mini or two. But there’s a whole world of useful (or just really cool) accessories out there to help make your game that much more fun – these are some of our favorites this year.
A Custom GM Screen
A custom DM screens is a great gift for DMs or to immortalize the adventures of the whole party – and there are plenty of options that won’t break the bank.
Enhance Gaming: RPG Adventurer’s Bag
This handsome travel case is a must-have for DM’s on the go. It fits 4-8 books in its main pouch and has additional pockets for dice, notebooks, a carry strap for maps, and even a dedicated foam-lined compartment for mini figures.
Enhance Gaming: All-in-One RPG Character Organizer
With enough space for their player’s handbook, dice, notepads, and a whole party’s worth of minis, and a dry-erase character sheet insert, this binder is a great gift for anyone heading to a friend’s house for game night.
Chessex Reversible Battlemat
The classic DIY dungeon mat. This 36×48″ vinyl mat features a one-inch grid of squares on one side and hexagonal tiles on the other, and can be infinitely redrawn using wet-erase markers.
D&D Campaign Case: Creatures & Terrain
If miniatures and 3D terrain aren’t the right fit for your table, these are a great 2D alternative. The Creature Case features 64 configurable monster tokens while the Terrain case has 30 interlocking tiles to create dungeon, city and woodland scenes.
D&D Spell Cards
Whether you’re a first-level Cleric or a 12th-level Wizard, keeping track of all your spells can be a chore! These handy spell cards contain all the official spells for each class in one handy deck.
D&D Magic Item Flash Cards
When searching for ancient treasures, magic items are bound to pop up evenutally. These cards are a great way for DMs to keep track of who in their party has what, or to hand to a player when they find a new piece of special gear.
D&D Monster Flash Cards
These monster cards are a great gift for DMs who might need help keeping track of all the creatures they throw at their party, with all of their stats and abilities in one spot.
Custom Character Art
Commissioning an artist to bring character concepts to life is a great gift for any player, DM, or an entire party – and there’s no shortage of excellent artists available across the internet able to meet any budget!
Pocket Spellbooks
Perfect for the spellcaster in your party, these pocket-sized card holders are great for helping keep track of spells, magic items, or other ability cards.
The Master’s Atlas: Reversible Map Tiles
A slightly more curated take on the battle mat, these blank tiles can be arranged as needed to create rooms, tunnels, alleys, and more. The set is wet/dry eraser-friendly, and comes with additional tokens to indicate light, treasure, and more.
The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Book
Whether your gift-getter is a player looking for new ideas or a DM with a whole cast of characters to fill, this is a great set of activities and prompts to creating characters with interesting backstories for your RPG.
NEW DICE! So many dice. Maybe too many ? No, there are never enough.
A new set of RPG dice is both one of the simplest and best gifts to give the tabletop roleplayer in your life. DnDdice.com has a great selection of basic sets, cool unique designs, or – for the true dice goblins among you – dice by the pound.
Dice Jail
For when you can’t roll above a 3, this tiny wooden cell will serve as a good reminder to your – and the party’s – dice that there are consequences for failure.
Dice Tower
Guarantee a perfectly randomized roll in style with this fancy 3D-printed dice tower from Auspdice.
Best D&D Minis of 2022
Regardless of whether or not you’re actually playing D&D versus another TRPG, odds are at some point your heroes are going to face off against a monster, or a legion of bad guys, or a legion of monstrous bad guys. While you certainly can play that all out in your imagination, we think it’s way more interesting to bust out the minifigs. These are our favorite miniatures that will make great gifts for the RPG gamer in your life.
WizKids’ Icons of the Realms
This line of pre-painted plastic miniatures recreates hundreds of D&D creatures and characters in 28mm scale. See them all here, or check out our favorite sets below.
IotR: The Boneyard
This run of minis features some of the most fearsome and terrifying creatures you could ever throw at your players, from zombies and wraiths to monstrous demon lords. Each box comes with four random minis, any of which are a great addition to a DM’s kit.
Goblin Warband
This simple set of 6 minis is a perfect gift for new DMs running lower-level adventures. After all, what adventuring party worth its salt doesn’t start out facing off against these mischievous monsters?
IotR: Fangs & Talons
While the Boneyard is all about monsters, the Fangs & Talons series is all about the dangerous beasts your party is likely to encounter while wandering the wilds. These can be purchased in a single randomized box or a brick of eight booster boxes.
D&D Classics Collection: Monsters A-C
This unique set of minis features eight classic D&D monsters as they were initially designed in the first edition of the Monster Manual back in 1977. A great pick for longtime fans, or DMs who just want an extra creepy Beholder.
Critical Role Miniatures
These minis based on the wildly popular Critical Role actual play series are great for fans of the show or simply DMs and players who want to expand their collection with unique monsters and creative characters.
Warlock Tiles Modular Terrain
What’s a tactical mini battle without terrain? Warlock Tile sets let players design their own dungeon with a series of interlocking modular tiles. The line has options for everything from underground caves and dungeons to taverns and town squares.
Pathfinder Battles
These minis inspired by Paizo’s fantasy RPG are great additions for both game masters running PF2 or anyone looking to expand their arsenal of creatively-designed monsters to face down their adventurers.
Hero Forge (Gift Cards)
When it comes to custom minis, there’s no beating Hero Forge. There are hundreds of options for everything from your character’s species to their gear, armor, and facial expression – there’s even a color scheme option so you can get them pre-painted.
Nolzur’s Marvelous Minis (Unpainted)
The Nolzur’s line from WizKids offers a wide variety of official D&D characters, sculpted in great detail and ready to be painted and customized to fit whatever fantastical vision you may have.
Reaper Miniatures
If you’re looking for alternative character designs from D&D or Pathfinder, Reaper Minis boasts a variety of figures that will fit your campaign (and your budget) regardless of genre.
Best D&D Gear and Apparel of 2022
When it’s time to look your best – or at least when you’re looking to rep your favorite RPGs out in the world – there’s a huge selection of D&D and roleplaying clothes, jewellery, and gear to choose from. You’ll find an infinite well to draw from on Etsy, but here are a few of our favorites this year.
Official D&D Merch
From T-shirts to workout gear and pajamas, the official D&D store on Amazon has just about any sort of real-world adventuring gear you might want.
Dungeons & Dragons & Diners & Drive-Ins & Dives T-Shirt
Escape from Flavortown! I’ve had this shirt for 3 years and never worn it without having someone ask me where I got it, so here you go.
Mimic Plush
While the “real” ones are sticky and will almost assuredly eat you, this adorable take on the shapeshifting monster will stay the same super-cute shape and (probably) not try to eat you.
Beholder Plush
How? How is this thing so cute?? It’s a psychic monster from another dimension that is literally made out of eyeballs. Yet it’s adorable.
Owlbear Plush
A decidedly cuter beast than you’d encounter in the wilds of Faerun, this cuddly creature is a must for any fan of D&D who’s young at heart or a literal child.
Dungeon Map Necktie
Sure, you can find ties with d20s or dragons on them, but while at a distance this tie from Wolfish Threads appears to be a simple grayscale pattern, up close it reveals a full dungeon map.
Customizable d20 Dragon Pendant
This adorable little wyvern clutches tight to a d20, and comes available in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Best Online D&D Gifts of 2022
If you prefer to play your games with friends online or just can’t manage to get a group together in person, here are some gift ideas for the adventuring parties who stick to the wilds of cyberspace.
D&D Beyond
With it’s recent acquisition by WotC, D&D Beyond is almost a must-have if you play D&D online. You can’t (yet) gift people subscriptions, but you can gift items in its marketplace – or just offer to pay their subscription fees for however long you’d like!
Roll20 Plus/Pro
Roll20 is a browser-based virtual tabletop, and while it isn’t perfect it’s one of the most accessible VTTs available. Paid subscriptions unlock features like dynamic lighting and early access to new content, along with access to unique tokens and maps.
Drive-Thru RPG / DM’s Guild Gift Cards
Whether you want to find .pdfs of obscure indie RPGs or purchase full modules direct from the D&D team complete with maps and tokens, DTRPG is a great resource for those who primarily play online.
Coolest Luxury D&D Items of 2022
Any time a hobby has been around as long as tabletop games like D&D have, there are bound to be some outrageous add-ons and accessories for it. Whether you’re looking to splurge or are just window shopping, here are some of our favorite tabletop items that are both super cool and prohibitively expensive.
‘Prohphecy’ Modular Gaming Table
Any furniture specifically made for gaming as a big splurge, but this modular gaming table starts at $1,000 and already has an 8-month waitlist. That said, it’s versatile construction and custom finishes make it a beautiful centerpiece for any home.
Wyrmwood Dice Vaults & Trays
The wooden cases store your dice in style, while the leather-lined trays are the envy of every other roller at your table (unless you have enough to share). More affordable options start at $35, with the pricier gear ranging all the way up to $400.
Artisan Dice
Starting at $27 for a single d20 and going high as $2,800, these handcrafted dice are a luxury gift on our list like few others, whether you’re looking for dice carved from wood or stone, forged in steel, or even chiseled out of human bone (pictured).
Diamond D20 Ring
Nothing says “I love you, you nerd,” like diamonds – unless, of course, your beloved doesn’t buy into the whole diamonds thing and something else would say it better. But if diamonds are their heart’s desire, consider these rings by Grace Alchemy on Etsy.
Custom-Painted Miniatures
Whether you want someone to paint just one particularly detailed monster or an entire Warhammer 40K army, there’s a legion of talented painters who can either add an extra layer of vibrance or just take care of the heavy lifting for you.
Mind Flayer Trophy Plaque
Whether your party recently defeated a nest of illithids or you just want to add to the “Adventurer’s Tavern” vibe of your home, this faux hunter’s trophy is a grisly yet gorgeous addition to any D&D fan’s wall.
For even more holiday gift ideas, check out our roundup of all the best Marvel gifts, or check out the rest of our relevant gift guides below.
JR is a Senior Producer at IGN, you can follow him on Twitter for more video game thoughts and tabletop RPG shenanigans.