Starter Set

Starter Set lives up to its name. This is a D&D podcast built specifically for people who are either new to the game or curious about getting started, and it does that job really well. The show takes listeners deeper into the pages of Dungeons and Dragons, blending actual play sessions with guidance on character creation, rules explanations, and tips for running your own games. Hosts Ed and Oli bring an approachable energy that avoids the insider jargon and assumed knowledge that can make other D&D content feel exclusionary to newcomers. The multi-season narrative includes campaigns like Beowulf, which ran through Season 2, and the show has built up about 230 episodes since launching in 2018. Episodes come out weekly with an explicit content rating, and the show maintains an active Discord community where listeners can ask questions and share their own gaming experiences. The production is straightforward and unfussy, keeping the focus on the game and the learning experience rather than flashy audio effects. What makes Starter Set valuable in a category full of veteran players is the intentional accessibility. You do not need to know what a d20 is or understand armor class to enjoy this. The hosts walk you through concepts as they come up naturally in play, which is a much better way to learn than reading a rulebook. The show ran actively through 2024, giving newcomers a complete and substantial library to work through at their own pace. If you have been curious about D&D but intimidated by the 400-episode backlogs of bigger shows, start here.