Back to Blog
dndtoolsresourcesdm-guideplayer-guide5e

Essential D&D Tools and Resources for Players and DMs

DM MasterApril 29, 20255 min read

Essential D&D Tools and Resources for Players and DMs

Whether you're a brand-new player building your first character, or a Dungeon Master preparing an epic campaign, the right tools can make a huge difference in your Dungeons & Dragons experience.

In this guide, we’ve curated a trusted list of the most effective and community-recommended digital tools, apps, and online resources to support every aspect of D&D gameplay—from character sheets and initiative trackers to map builders and encounter generators.

🧠 “You don’t need to memorize everything—just know where to find it when you need it.”

Why Having the Right Tools Matters

Dungeons & Dragons is a game of imagination, but it also involves a lot of mechanics, math, and management. As campaigns get more complex, having the right tools can:

  • ✅ Speed up game preparation and reduce session downtime
  • ✅ Make combat smoother and easier to track
  • ✅ Help new players learn the game without overwhelm
  • ✅ Allow DMs to focus on storytelling, not spreadsheets

Who This Guide Is For

This article is designed to help:

  • 🎲 New players looking for easier ways to manage characters
  • 🧙 Dungeon Masters who want to streamline prep and run better sessions
  • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Remote groups playing on Discord, Roll20, or Foundry VTT
  • 🏗️ Worldbuilders organizing homebrew lore and custom content

1. 🧾 Best D&D Character Sheet & Builder Tools

🛠️ D&D Beyond

  • What it does: Official 5e digital toolset with character builder, spell database, and more
  • Why it’s great: Beginner-friendly, auto-calculates stats, integrates official content
  • Best for: Players who want a hassle-free digital character sheet

📱 Fight Club 5e (iOS/Android)

  • What it does: Mobile app for character creation and in-game tracking
  • Why it’s great: Offline use, fast character switching, custom content support
  • Best for: Players who want portability without a browser

🧮 Printable Character Sheets

2. ⚔️ Combat & Initiative Tracking Tools

🎯 Improved Initiative

  • What it does: Dynamic combat tracker with initiative sorting, conditions, and HP tracking
  • Why it’s great: Web-based, intuitive UI for DMs
  • Best for: Running smoother, faster combats with multiple players and NPCs

💻 Owlbear Rodeo

  • What it does: Lightweight virtual tabletop with fog of war and tokens
  • Why it’s great: Fast setup, zero learning curve, perfect for quick combat scenes
  • Best for: Online or hybrid groups who want something simpler than Roll20

3. 🗺️ Dungeon Map Makers & World Builders

✏️ Dungeon Scrawl

  • What it does: Quick and intuitive 2D dungeon map maker
  • Why it’s great: Export as grid-based PNGs or use in VTTs
  • Best for: Creating classic dungeon layouts in minutes

🌍 Inkarnate

  • What it does: World, city, and regional map builder
  • Why it’s great: Beautiful assets, drag-and-drop system, huge community
  • Best for: Campaign worldbuilders and homebrew setting creators

🛠️ Wonderdraft (Paid)

  • What it does: Standalone fantasy map designer with advanced control
  • Why it’s great: Ideal for detailed worldbuilding with custom assets

4. 🧠 Random Generators & Encounter Tools

⚔️ Kobold Fight Club

  • What it does: Balanced random encounter builder using CR and XP budgets
  • Why it’s great: Fast, customizable, filters by terrain, monster type
  • Best for: DMs who want well-balanced combat encounters quickly

🎲 Donjon

  • What it does: Huge suite of random generators—loot, dungeons, quests, names, calendars
  • Why it’s great: No login, extremely flexible, perfect for improv DMs
  • Best for: Emergency inspiration mid-session or during prep

5. 🧙 VTTs (Virtual Tabletops) for Remote Play

🌐 Roll20

  • What it does: Fully featured virtual tabletop platform
  • Why it’s great: Massive support library, voice/video integration, character sheet automation
  • Best for: Groups playing entirely online or during long campaigns

🛠️ Foundry VTT (Paid)

  • What it does: Self-hosted VTT with powerful automation and visuals
  • Why it’s great: Unmatched flexibility, customizable rulesets, plugins
  • Best for: Tech-savvy DMs and advanced groups

💬 Discord + Avrae Bot

  • What it does: Chat-based dice rolls and commands integrated into Discord
  • Why it’s great: Great for text-only or voice-based play
  • Best for: Casual groups or roleplay-focused campaigns

6. 📚 Lore, Rules & Reference Libraries

📖 5etools

  • What it does: Comprehensive rules compendium, spells, classes, monsters
  • Why it’s great: Fast reference during play, searchable everything
  • Note: Not affiliated with WotC, legality varies by region

🔎 D&D Compendium

  • What it does: Curated directory of trusted resources and guides
  • Best for: Bookmarking and centralizing all your tools

🧙 Sage Advice Compendium

  • What it does: Official rule clarifications by WotC
  • Why it’s great: Helps settle tricky rule questions with official rulings

Final Thoughts: Choose Tools That Match Your Playstyle

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” toolbox in Dungeons & Dragons. Some players thrive with analog character sheets and hand-drawn maps. Others embrace the digital ecosystem for speed and convenience. The best tools are the ones that help you focus more on the story and less on logistics.

Take time to experiment with what works best for your group. Whether you're deep in a dungeon or prepping your first session, these resources will help you save time, play better, and create richer adventures.

🧭 Let the tools handle the math—so you can focus on the magic.

Happy adventuring!

Share this article