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.
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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.
Updated on January 14, 2024 by Alexis Campbell: We’ve updated this list to account for changes in the 2024 Player’s Handbook for Dungeons & Dragons 5E. Whether you’re looking for the difference between a dungeoneers pack and an explorer’s pack or what changes these packs got from the 2024 PHB, we cover it all here.
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
- 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:
|
Pack |
Explanation |
|---|---|
|
Dungeoneer’s Pack |
It is a good staple choice for its tools, torches, and the ever-useful climbing pitons. Generally, consider it superior to the Explorer’s pack if you don’t plan on sleeping outdoors all the time. |
|
Diplomat’s/Scholar’s/Entertainer’s Packs |
They’re a bit more nuanced and campaign-dependent, but with the right amount of creativity, they can provide both use and entertainment. Perfect for those who like roleplay more than combat. |
|
Burglar’s Pack |
It’s a no-brainer option for the Rogue. The sheer amount of tools within will prove very useful in removing any pesky obstacles – such as treasure chests (who really locks away their valuables in this day and age?!) – in your way. |
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.
Equipment Pack Changes In Revised Fifth Edition: 2025
While you may choose between two equipment packs for most classes in the original version of 5th Edition, the 2025 handbook limits each class to a single Equipment Pack.
However, while you are no longer allowed to choose between equipment packs directly, you will have to choose between:
- A set of equipment, including a set pack
- Or a set amount of gold
There is no limitation on what you can purchase with that gold, meaning you may still have a chance to buy a different equipment pack of your choice.
You may not spend that gold at the start of a campaign unless you speak with your DM first about shopping options, the use of gold, and what items are available for purchase.
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 (Pre-2025) |
Class (2025 Edition Only) |
Store Value |
Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alchemist’s Supplies (Unofficial Pack) |
Artificer (DM-permission), Blood Hunter |
None |
50GP |
|
|
Burglar’s Pack |
Rogue |
Rogue |
16GP |
|
|
Diplomat’s Pack |
Bard |
None |
39GP |
|
|
Dungeoneer’s Pack |
Artificer, Fighter, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock |
Fighter, Sorcerer |
12GP |
|
|
Entertainer’s Pack |
Bard |
Bard |
40GP |
|
|
Explorer’s Pack |
Barbarian, Blood Hunter, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Wizard |
Barbarian, Druid, Monk, Ranger |
10GP |
|
|
Priest’s Pack |
Cleric, Paladin |
Cleric, Paladin |
19GP |
|
|
Scholar’s Pack |
Warlock, Wizard |
Warlock, Wizard |
40GP |
|
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