A tabletop roleplaying starter set bundles rules, adventures and dice so a first group can begin without buying several books. Boxed sets usually include a short rulebook or character boards, a story booklet, maps and a handful of polyhedral dice. A figures set adds the pieces to put on the table.
The six products below include four boxed adventures from Wizards of the Coast, a non-Dungeons and Dragons animal fantasy game and a pack of acrylic miniatures. Contents come from each product’s listing page. We have not played these sets ourselves. Descriptions of play style are the publishers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Contents | Booklets, dice, maps and character sheets decide what you still need to buy |
| Player count | Some sets list a group size |
| Rules included | A starter set can carry its own rules or rely on a rulebook |
| Adventure length | Short booklets suit one-shots; campaigns need more |
| Extras | Maps, screens, cards and miniatures |
Specs at a Glance
| Set | Contents | Players | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heroes of the Borderlands | 11 dice, 3 adventure booklets, 8 character class boards, 9 double-sided poster maps | Not stated in the text we read | Publisher says sessions run about an hour |
| Essentials Kit | Rulebook, DM screen, poster map, 6 character sheets, 11 dice, 81 cards | Not stated | Adventure for levels 1 to 6 |
| Starter Set (2014) | Dice among the parts; counts not listed | 4 to 6 | 5th edition |
| Hellfire Club | 4 adventure booklets, character sheets, DM screen, poster | 3 to 5 | Stranger Things themed |
| Dungeons and Kittens | 2 adventure books, 5 character sheets, 6 maps, 24 dice, tokens | Not stated | Asmodee, not Wizards of the Coast |
| iPEAU miniatures | 173 acrylic figures, 40 bases | Not applicable | Accessory only; 1 year warranty on parts |
The 6 Best Dungeons and Dragons Starter Sets
1. Dungeons and Dragons Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands
A 2025 boxed set from Wizards of the Coast. The listing names 11 dice, three adventure booklets, eight character class boards and nine double-sided poster maps, and the publisher describes quick character creation and sessions of about an hour.
Suits: a new group that wants fast setup. Strengths: class boards and many maps. Weaknesses: no player count in the text we read. Skip it if you want a longer campaign book.
View Dungeons and Dragons Starter Set Heroes of the Borderlands on Amazon
2. Dungeons and Dragons Essentials Kit
A 2019 boxed set for 5th edition. The listing names the Dragon of Icespire Peak adventure for levels 1 to 6, a rulebook with character creation, a Dungeon Master’s screen, a fold-out poster map, six blank character sheets, 11 polyhedral dice and 81 cards.
Suits: a Dungeon Master who wants a screen and cards. Strengths: a rulebook and a screen in one box. Weaknesses: an older release. Skip it if you want the newest edition.
View Dungeons and Dragons Essentials Kit on Amazon
3. Dungeons and Dragons Starter Set (5th Edition)
The 2014 starter set from Wizards of the Coast, listed for four to six players. The text describes everything needed to start playing and an easy-to-learn presentation of 5th edition, with dice among the parts but no counts shown.
Suits: a group of four to six. Strengths: a stated group size. Weaknesses: sparse contents detail on the listing. Skip it if you want a detailed parts list.
View Dungeons and Dragons Starter Set on Amazon
4. Dungeons and Dragons Stranger Things: Welcome to the Hellfire Club
A 2025 themed set for three to five players with four adventure booklets, character sheets, a Dungeon Master’s screen and a poster, according to the listing. The publisher describes it as a collaborative game based on Eddie Munson’s unfinished campaign.
Suits: fans of the show. Strengths: four adventures and a screen. Weaknesses: a themed setting. Skip it if you want a standard fantasy setting.
View Dungeons and Dragons Stranger Things Hellfire Club on Amazon
5. Dungeons and Kittens Roleplaying Game Starter Set
An animal fantasy roleplaying game from Asmodee, not part of Dungeons and Dragons. The listing names two adventure books with three learning adventures and two longer ones, five ready-to-play character sheets, six large maps, 24 dice and game tokens.
Suits: groups that want a lighter tone. Strengths: premade characters and learning adventures. Weaknesses: it uses its own rules, not 5th edition. Skip it if you want to play Dungeons and Dragons.
View Dungeons and Kittens Roleplaying Game Starter Set on Amazon
6. iPEAU Miniatures Starter Set, 173 Acrylic Figures
A box of 173 pre-cut double-sided acrylic figures with 40 wet-erase bases of 1 to 4 inches and a creature catalogue. The maker says the figures cover challenge levels 0 to 23 for 5th edition or Pathfinder, with no painting needed. It is an accessory, not a rule set.
Suits: a Dungeon Master who needs monsters. Strengths: a large creature range and ready-to-use bases. Weaknesses: flat figures, not sculpts, and no rules. Skip it if you want one boxed adventure.
View iPEAU Miniatures Starter Set 173 Acrylic Figures on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Check each listing for the player count and parts.
- Decide who will be the Dungeon Master before buying a screen set.
- Pair a boxed set with figures only if you want pieces on the table.
- Keep dice and bases in a small container.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting rules in a miniatures box.
- Buying a themed set when you want standard fantasy.
- Skipping the parts list.
- Assuming every set uses the same edition.
Starter Set FAQ
Which sets include a Dungeon Master’s screen?
The Essentials Kit and the Hellfire Club set list one.
Which is not a Wizards of the Coast game?
Dungeons and Kittens is by Asmodee, and the iPEAU figures are an independent accessory.
The Short Version
For fast setup, Heroes of the Borderlands. For a screen and cards, the Essentials Kit. For a stated four to six players, the Starter Set. For a themed campaign, the Hellfire Club. For a lighter game, Dungeons and Kittens. For monsters on the table, the iPEAU figures.
