Ensuring you have all you need before your adventure into Dungeons & Dragons, the starting Equipment Pack is a minor but handy choice you'll make when building your character. After all, every good adventurer has a few rations and extra clothes on hand for camping in the great outdoors when your adventure takes you camping.
But there are so many equipment packs to choose from; which one is right for your character? When it comes to picking an equipment pack, if you want to make sure you have everything you need for your journey, we've got you covered.
What Are Equipment Packs?
At the beginning of any adventure, you typically get your choice of Equipment Pack to start with. This is a backpack filled with various supplies that should be helpful in your adventure.
Typically, you will see that your Class gives you a choice between a few types of Equipment Packs. You only get one choice, but you could potentially buy other packs from in-game stores at a DM's discretion.
Some packs will feature things like tools, but almost all packs include a number of rations, a waterskin, and some clothes.
How important these things are largely depends on the type of campaign you're playing and how immersive your DM wishes to be. Although you may carry rations, many DM's choose not to take food and water into account when playing.
If you're unsure which Equipment Pack you want, you should consult your DM about the type of campaign you're playing. If that doesn't help, consider the type of person your character is to help make that decision.
Of course, a few packs are generally good for everyone. The Dungeoneer's Pack, for example, is a good staple choice for its tools, torches, and the ever-useful climbing pitons.
It is generally superior to the Explorer's pack if you don't plan on sleeping outdoors all the time.
Packs like the Diplomat's, Scholar's, or Entertainer's Packs are a bit more nuanced and campaign-dependent, relying on a lot of roleplaying focus to make useful.
If you're a Rogue, the Burglar's Pack is a no-brainer option and arguably one of the best packs for its sheer amount of tools.
The general rule of thumb is to keep in mind the number of tools your class-specific pack provides and how often you think you'll use them.
Make a list, if you must, of which tools and perks hold priority for you, and pick the pack that best fits those needs.
Before choosing your Equipment Pack, you may also want to check the equipment you receive from your Background. Keeping this in mind may help you decide or be aware of where your equipment may overlap.
All Equipment Packs
There are seven official Equipment Packs and one unofficial from the Blood Hunter's Handbook. Some Equipment Packs are only available to select classes.
All official packs can be found on page 151 of the Player's Handbook for 5th Edition.
Pack | Class | Store Value | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
Alchemist's Supplies (Unofficial Pack) | Artificer (DM-permission), Blood Hunter | 50GP |
|
Burglar's Pack | Rogue | 16GP |
|
Diplomat's Pack | Bard | 39GP |
|
Dungeoneer's Pack | Artificer, Fighter, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock | 12GP |
|
Entertainer's Pack | Bard | 40GP |
|
Explorer's Pack | Barbarian, Blood Hunter, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Wizard | 10GP |
|
Priest's Pack | Cleric, Paladin | 19GP |
|
Scholar's Pack | Warlock, Wizard | 40GP |
|