D&D’s new Starter Set will make DMs out of everyone

Wizards of the Coast is transforming its next Dungeons & Dragons starter set to be even more friendly to beginners, and to better hook its claws into them with the hope that they’ll develop a deeper love for the game. The new boxed Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands, coming out in September, includes several components that aim to reduce the friction of onboarding new players, whether you’re enjoying a game in-person or through the internet. A slice of what’ll be included in the final product was on display at Toy Fair 2025, and Polygon got a closer look at a prototype.

On the player side, making a character involves simply slotting in some cards that fit the class of who you have in mind. There are cards for their background, species, equipment, and depending on your class, spells can be equipped, too. This turns numbers-filled character sheets into something more visual, and includes tips on how to roll for attacks, what you need to equip for success, plus some inspirational thought-starters that’ll encourage you to have more fun with your character and the world they occupy. It’s meant to be easy to setup, so you can more quickly get back into the action.

The Starter Set includes multiple adventure booklets (the Caves of Chaos, the Keep on the Borderlands, and the Wilderness), and with them, you’ll get physical maps for each that add some welcome visuals aids to the game. For those who want to play online, these assets will be available in digital form via D&D Beyond. However, Wizards of the Coast hasn’t shared whether the digital version will be free for those who buy the box, or if there will be an surcharge for fans who want both the physical and digital versions.

Just as the revised set makes it easier to make a character and play, it aims to democratize the role of DM by making that role a lot less intimidating. Each of the adventure booklets offer tips on how to engage with players and the world, and how to establish a rhythm of play, plus encouragement that everyone sitting at the table should try their hand at being DM. After having a glance at the Caves of Chaos adventure booklet, it seemed easy to feel in control instead of overwhelmed, even as someone who has never been a DM.

I came away feeling impressed by how much appears to be packed into the new Starter Set compared to the one that’s on shelves now, and again, this was just a slice of what’s in the box (and a prototype, no less). It comes with a surprising amount of game pieces, multiple sets of dice, booklets, and cards, making D&D into a much more visual experience, which is what some beginner players (including me) may want. As for the price, Wizards of the Coast doesn’t have one to share yet. While it says it will cost more than the pre-existing version that’s $29.99, the team at Toy Fair told me that its price will fit in nicely alongside other most other board games at your local game shop.