6 Unique Features That Make Dungeons and Dragons Stand Out Among Tabletop RPGs

This post is all about Dungeons and Dragons and 6 unique features that set it apart.

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop roleplaying game that, over the span of decades, has captured the imaginations of countless players. It is one of many tabletop roleplaying games that involves fantasy worlds, custom characters, epic quests, and terrifying monsters and villains.

Although there are many different tabletop game systems, D&D has a variety of unique features that make it stand out as a gaming system all its own.

Dungeon Master vs. Game Master

The first unique feature of Dungeons and Dragons when compared to other tabletop rpgs is the use of the term Dungeon Master. A Dungeon Master (DM) is the same thing as a Game Master, and the two terms are often interchangeable. You can use one or the other and both would be correct.

A Dungeon/Game Master is the person who runs the game. They assist players in creating their characters, create the game world, make intriguing quests for the players, and run combat encounters with challenging monsters.

They also have the essential role of setting the stage by describing the environment that the players explore. Here’s how it works:

• The DM describes what is happening or describes the environment
• The players decide what to do
• The  DM tells them what happens and provides consequences for their choices. 

This formula applies to everything in the game whether it be a shopping trip in the city, a leisurely walk through a haunted forest, or fighting an 1,000-year-old ancient dragon.

Obey the Rules

Whenever you play a tabletop rpg, you need a system of rules that determines how to play the game. Dungeons and Dragons is one of these rule systems.

The rules of the game are essential for pretty much everything you do in a tabletop game. For instance, the rules of D&D determine character creation, worldbuilding, social encounters, exploration, and combat. All of which differ slightly from other tabletop games. 

Rather than being restrictive, these rules are designed to provide a foundation for both players and the Dungeon Master, but occasionally something will happen in the game that is not in the rules. 

In this case, it is up to the DM to decide how these situations turn out, by using the rules as a guideline, but also leaving room for improvisation. However, even with all the rules, the DM has the power to change and override any rule to better fit the game, the players, or a specific situation. 

 

Monsters

Monsters - what would Dungeons and Dragons be like without them? Well, it would probably be very similar to our world, but in a boring kind of way. 

I’m not sure when was the last time you tried to go on a real epic quest, but it's kind of hard without monsters to fight and villains to defeat. 

A fantasy game like D&D would not be complete without monsters - strange and often magical creatures that dwell in the dark places of the world.

Goblins, orcs, and giant spiders, are all examples of the most common monsters in a tabletop rpg. Although you will be able to encounter these monsters regardless of what type of tabletop rpg system you play, Dungeons and Dragons is home to many unique and iconic creatures.

One unique monster is the classic Beholder, a floating monster with one central eye, and multiple tentacles with other eyes attached. The central eye of the beholder creates an anti-magic cone, and the other eyes shoot laser beams with various types of damage. Yes, fighting one is as epic as it sounds. 

Another example is the Mindflayer, an extremely intelligent humanoid that dwells beneath the surface of the world. Normally depicted with purplish skin and tentacles on its face, it eats the brains of other humanoids to survive.

Both of these are just examples of the many wondrous, and dangerous creatures found exclusively in Dungeons and Dragons.

The statistics of each monster are also unique to D&D. Compared to other systems there are certain ways that stats are organized and displayed, as well as the unique abilities monsters use in combat.

Finally, the culture of different monsters is also different when compared to other systems.

 Yes, it turns out that monsters have culture, traditions, and even gods that they worship. Go figure.

Dragons, for instance, are either good or evil depending on the color of their scales. Chromatic dragons such as red, blue, and white are naturally evil creatures while metallic dragons such as gold, silver, and copper are naturally good.

Overall, if you are looking to start your epic journey with a wide variety of monsters to fight, look no further than Dungeons and Dragons. 

Character Race 

As with many fantasy tabletop rpgs, in Dungeons and Dragons, one of the first things that players decide for their character is their race.

Many classical fantasy game systems have the basic races that you would expect, human, dwarf, elf, and halfling. However, D and D has a few extra races to add to the mix. 

One example is the Dragonborn, who are intelligent dragon-like humanoids that walk on their hind legs and are descendants of dragons. 

This is just an example of just one of the many unique races of Dungeons and Dragons, with each race having its own unique culture and background. 

In addition, the culture of each of these races can vary as well, often departing from what would be considered a classic fantasy stereotype.

For example, classic dwarves as described in D&D are proud people living deep inside mountains, where their priorities are their clan and industrial expansion.

This is the classic dwarf for other tabletop systems as well, but D and D also adds multiple variants of the dwarf, such as the hill dwarves that live on the surface rather than beneath it. 

There are multiple intelligent humanoid races and cultures that are unique to D&D, which can be used by players and Dungeon Masters alike.

Character Class

Another essential decision that players make regarding their character is their class, which is basically the role that they play in the game.

A player's class affects a lot of what the player does in the game. It affects a character's natural skills, as well as the abilities that they use in combat. 

Many classes in Dungeons and Dragons share similarities with other fantasy tabletop systems, but they may have different names and overall skills.

Most game systems have a fighter class, which focuses on using martial weapons such as a sword to fight enemies. Another classic class is the wizard which uses spells rather than physical weapons.

Although the basic premise of these classes is the same throughout each game system, there are some differences between them. 

One great example of this is spells. In Dungeons and Dragons spells are only available to certain classes - at least at first - while in another tabletop magic may be available to every class. 

D&D has dozens of unique spells used by wizards and sorcerers, and even more nature-based spells that can be used by druids and rangers. 

Dungeons and Dragons is also home to a unique class that isn’t found in other tabletop games: the Artificer.

The Artificer is a combination of an inventor and a magic user. Using their keen mind they can create useful items that can be used in and out of combat. Overall, adding a unique and memorable class to the game.
 

The World

A Dungeons and Dragons fantasy world is full to the brim with majestic mountains, enchanted forests, impenetrable strongholds, and countless inhabitants, each with their own culture and traditions.

Before a group can get together and play a tabletop game, a Game Master has to decide what kind of world the overall story takes place in. 

Most fantasy-based tabletop rpgs have very common fantasy worlds that have all the expected features.

Many of these worlds work off some basic assumptions, such as the world is watched over by various gods, magic exists, and that it is mostly uninhabited with large areas of wilderness. 

A custom fantasy world created by the Dungeon Master with the Dungeon and Dragons rule system can look very similar to the typical world shared by most tabletop games.

But the worlds created through premade adventures are where D&D truly shines.

Over the years there have been countless official and unofficial D&D adventures, each taking place in an original fantasy world.

Not only does this provide a beautiful and engaging world for the players to discover, but it also gives the Dungeon Master a shortcut, allowing them to run a game without putting in the hours of worldbuilding needed to create a custom world. 

The sheer number of unique stories, adventures, people, and cultures that have been created over the years truly sets D&D apart.

Conclusion

Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most popular tabletop roleplaying games ever and has brought the spirit of adventure to family and friends alike. Its unique features—from Dungeon Masters to intricate worlds and iconic monsters—set it apart from other games, making it a timeless and exciting experience for players of all levels.

Ready to embark on your own Dungeons and Dragons adventure? Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, now is the perfect time to dive into the rich, imaginative world of tabletop RPGs. Gather your friends, create your character, and begin crafting unforgettable stories together. Visit The Paladin's Plight to explore our selection of RPG-themed apparel, accessories, and resources to help you on your journey!

This post is all about Dungeons and Dragons and 6 unique features that set it apart.