Lesson 28

How Can I Find a Group to Play With (or Start My Own)?

A Dungeon-Crawler’s Guide to Assembling Your Adventuring Party

At some point, every fan of Dungeons & Dragons reaches the same realization:

You understand the rules.
You’ve created a character.
You’re ready to explore dungeons, fight monsters, and accidentally anger powerful nobles.

But then the real challenge appears.

“Wait… who do I actually play with?”

Unlike many games, D&D needs a group of people. A typical party usually includes:

  • 3–5 players

  • 1 Dungeon Master (DM)

The good news is that finding a group today is easier than ever.

Whether you want to join a party or build your own, there are several great ways to start your adventure.

1. Start With Friends (The Classic Method)

The easiest way to start playing is often with people you already know.

You might be surprised how many people are curious about D&D but have never tried it.

Try asking:

  • Friends

  • Classmates

  • Coworkers

  • Family members

  • Gaming buddies

You can say something simple like:

“I’ve been learning D&D and I’m thinking about starting a game. Would you like to try it?”

You don’t need experienced players.

In fact, many of the best campaigns begin with a group of beginners learning together.

2. Check Local Game Stores

Many tabletop players gather at local hobby or board game stores.

These stores often host organized play events or open game nights.

You might find:

  • Beginner sessions

  • Public campaigns

  • One-shot adventures

  • New player meetups

Some stores even run official D&D events like Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League, where players can join games with strangers in a structured format.

This is one of the best ways to meet other tabletop players in person.

3. Look for Online Communities

Online platforms have made finding a group much easier.

Many players connect through communities dedicated to tabletop RPGs.

Some popular places include:

  • Discord RPG servers

  • Reddit communities like r/lfg

  • Roll20 group finder tools

  • StartPlaying

These spaces allow players to find groups based on:

  • Time zones

  • Experience level

  • Game style

  • Campaign themes

Many groups specifically welcome new players, so you don’t need to worry about being inexperienced.

4. Online Play Is Very Common

You don’t have to play in person.

Many campaigns run completely online using digital tools.

Common platforms include:

  • Roll20

  • Foundry Virtual Tabletop

  • Discord for voice chat

  • D&D Beyond for character sheets

Online games allow players from different cities—or even different countries—to play together.

Some groups meet weekly for years without ever being in the same room.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Start Your Own Group

If you can’t find a group, the best solution is often simple:

Create one.

Many D&D groups begin because one person says:

“Hey, I’m thinking about running a game. Anyone interested?”

You don’t need to be an expert.

You just need:

  • A few players

  • A basic adventure

  • A willingness to learn

Plenty of Dungeon Masters started exactly this way.

6. The First Group Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

When you start playing, remember that every group develops its own style.

Some groups focus on:

  • Story and roleplaying

  • Tactical combat

  • Exploration and mystery

  • Comedy and chaos

The first group you try might not be the perfect fit.

And that’s okay.

Many players try a few different tables before finding the one that feels right.

Think of it like assembling a party in an RPG:

Sometimes the first party composition works.

Sometimes you need to recruit a few different adventurers.

7. Session Zero Helps Everyone Start Together

Before a campaign begins, many groups hold something called Session Zero.

This is a planning session where the group discusses things like:

  • Character creation

  • Tone of the campaign

  • Expectations

  • Scheduling

  • Table rules

It helps make sure everyone is on the same page before the adventure begins.

It also helps new players feel more comfortable.

8. Scheduling Is the Real Final Boss

Strangely, the most difficult challenge in many D&D campaigns isn’t dragons or demons.

It’s scheduling.

Finding a time that works for everyone can be tricky.

Most groups solve this by choosing a consistent schedule, like:

  • Every Saturday evening

  • Every other Sunday

  • One Friday per month

Consistency helps campaigns survive.

9. Start With Small Adventures

If you’re forming a new group, it’s often best to begin with a short adventure instead of a massive campaign.

This could be:

  • A one-shot (single session story)

  • A short dungeon

  • A small quest

Short adventures let everyone learn the game without feeling locked into a long commitment.

If everyone enjoys it, you can continue the story later.

10. The Real Goal: Find the Right Table

The best D&D group is not necessarily the most experienced one.

It’s the group where:

  • Everyone feels welcome

  • Players respect each other

  • People are excited to show up

  • The table laughs often

  • The story grows naturally

When you find that group, the game becomes something special.

Because D&D isn’t just about rules or dice.

It’s about the people around the table.

Final Wisdom from the Adventurer’s Guild

Finding a group may feel intimidating at first.

But remember:

Every D&D campaign started with a few people saying:

“Let’s try this.”

Those players didn’t know exactly what would happen.

They didn’t know how long the story would last.

They just gathered together, rolled some dice, and stepped into the unknown.

And somewhere along the way…

They became an adventuring party.

If you want, I can also write the next lesson:

29. What books, tools, or dice do I actually need to start playing?

It’s a great final chapter for a beginner guide.