Going further
Links
What I had bookmarked from when I played, plus a few more, checked in November 2026.
Rules and getting started
Everything you need to learn to play without spending a penny.
- Basic Rules (D&D Beyond)The official free rules for the 2024 edition, to read in the browser. If you are starting from scratch, start here.
- SRD 5.2.1 (PDF)The official reference document for the 2024 rules, under CC BY 4.0: classes, spells and monsters you can use and share freely.
- SRD 5.2.1 in Spanish (PDF)The official Spanish translation of the same SRD, handy if your table plays in Spanish.
- SRD 5.1 (PDF)The SRD for the 2014 rules, also CC BY 4.0. Useful if your group still plays with the old books.
- D&D Beyond★ From my bookmarksThe official D&D site: rules, digital books and character sheets. Since 2024 it shows everything with the new rules and marks the 2014 material as «Legacy».
Sheets and characters
To build your character and keep it handy at the table.
- D&D Beyond character builderWalks you through it step by step and does the maths for you. The free rules are enough for a complete character.
- Backgrounds (D&D Beyond)★ From my bookmarksThe list of backgrounds to pick where your character comes from. It shows the 2024 ones and the old ones marked «Legacy».
- The Ranger (D&D Beyond)★ From my bookmarksThe whole Ranger class, level by level. It now shows the 2024 version; the 2014 one stays as «Legacy».
- Ranger spells (5e wiki)★ From my bookmarksA fan wiki with the Ranger spell list by level, quick to look up. It follows the 2014 rules.
- 5e sheet in the browser★ From my bookmarksA simple sheet to fill in on the web, no account or anything. Great if you want neither paper nor apps.
Virtual tabletops to play online
For when the group cannot meet around the same table.
- Owlbear RodeoThe simplest virtual tabletop: upload a map, move tokens and play. Players join with a link, nothing to install.
- Roll20★ From my bookmarksThe classic virtual tabletop in the browser: maps, sheets, dice and adventures ready to run.
- Fantasy Grounds★ From my bookmarksA very complete program that automates a lot of the rules. Powerful, but harder to learn.
Maps and tokens
To draw the world and put a face to every character.
- Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator★ From my bookmarksGenerates a whole continent with countries, cities, rivers and religions in one click, then you tweak it to taste.
- Inkarnate★ From my bookmarksFor drawing beautiful maps of worlds, cities or battles with ready-made brushes and stamps.
- Token Stamp★ From my bookmarksUpload a picture and it crops it into a round token with a border, ready for the virtual table.
- 2-Minute TabletopHand-drawn battle maps and tokens, with loads of free material to print or use online.
Music and ambience
A bit of rain or a tavern in the background changes everything.
Generators for the DM
For when the players head somewhere you did not expect.
- Kobold Plus Fight ClubBuild an encounter and it tells you whether it will be easy or deadly for your group. Saves a lot of prep time.
- donjon★ From my bookmarksA pile of classic generators: dungeons, treasure, names, NPCs, weather and more.
- WatabouGorgeous generators for cities, villages, one-page dungeons and caves. Perfect for improvising.
- The Goblin's Notebook★ From my bookmarksA notebook for your campaign notes: NPCs, places and sessions linked together on a single screen.
Dice
If you left your dice at home.