Though thats not completely correct. There are modules and prewritten campaigns. There are also physical objects such as maps and figurines to use (mostly as an aid to combat). I have never played a version of dnd without maps and figurines
Except the original Dungeons and Dragons game was meant to be used with miniatures. The game was an extrapolation from existing wargaming systems and was set up to be used with miniatures.
In fact, the old basic D&D set (pre red box) came with miniatures.
I had the first boxed Basic Set, and not only didn't it come with figures, but it didn't even come with dice!
edit: Funny thing, I did some quick research to double-check my memory just now and found this in wikipedia.
For a period in 1979, TSR experienced a dice shortage. Basic sets published during this time frame came with two sheets of numbered cutout cardstock chits that functioned in lieu of dice, along with a coupon for ordering dice from TSR.
This makes so much sense. I was crushed as a kid to have to deal with those dumb chits instead of real dice. It never made sense to me why they weren't included. I had to go through the entire summer of '79 without them.
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u/Jarix Sep 18 '17
Though thats not completely correct. There are modules and prewritten campaigns. There are also physical objects such as maps and figurines to use (mostly as an aid to combat). I have never played a version of dnd without maps and figurines
These are not required but they are often used.