As an Amazon Associate, Plainwork Digital earns from qualifying purchases.
Beginner GM gear guide: what to buy first, and what to skip
You can run a great first session with a free SRD, a pencil and borrowed dice. These are the upgrades that actually change how a table feels, in the order I would buy them. How I chose: I have not bought or tested any of these; this is my reasoning from public specs and what table problems each item solves (cheating-proof reading of dice, finding your place, hiding notes). Links open Amazon search results so you see current options, not a stale listing.
1. A polyhedral dice set (7 dice, plain colours)
The single biggest quality-of-life item. Look for a set with high-contrast numerals and a 'd10 plus percentile d10' pair. Plain opaque colours are easiest to read across a table; glittery or translucent dice look nice but hide the numbers.
Skip if: you already have a dice app and nobody minds.
Search on Amazon2. A dice tray
A tray with a felt or leather base stops dice hitting minis and cups, and quiets a rolling-heavy table. Choose a collapsible or foldable one if you travel.
Skip if: you only play online.
Search on Amazon3. A dry-erase battle mat
Gridded 1-inch squares, wipe with a damp cloth. Pick a wet or dry-erase compatible version, and check the size (roughly 24 by 36 inches covers most fights). Rolled mats lie flatter after a day under a book.
Skip if: you play 'theatre of the mind' and prefer it.
Search on Amazon4. Wet-erase markers (fine tip)
Wet-erase stays put while you draw but wipes clean with water. Water-based dry-erase on a mat smudges as people rest hands on it. A 4 to 8 colour pack is plenty.
Skip if: you already own a mat with its own markers.
Search on Amazon5. A GM screen
Hides notes and rolls, and the front panel is a place for your players' view of cheat sheets. A landscape three or four panel screen with pockets holds my own prep sheet.
Skip if: you are happy rolling in the open (many GMs do).
Search on Amazon6. The core rulebook (if you like paper)
The SRD is free for D&D 5e and Pathfinder 2e; a physical book is for people who prefer reading on paper at the table. Buy one core book, not the whole shelf.
Skip if: you are fine with the free SRD or a PDF.
Search on Amazon7. Unpainted miniatures or standees
Cheap unpainted minis or paper standees are enough. Painted miniatures are a hobby of their own, not a requirement.
Skip if: your table uses tokens or coins.
Search on AmazonWhat I would not buy yet
- Expensive hardcover adventures before you have run a one-shot.
- Large terrain sets. Use a mat and some books.
- Dice sets over a few tens of dollars. They roll the same as the cheap ones.
Before you spend anything, run your first game with the free prep sheet.