Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard combines aspects of real-time strategy and role-playing games. The game takes place on two-level maps, divided into the surface world of Eberron and the underworld of Khyber. Units move between the surface and the underground through gateways, which are fixed on each map. The surface map represents traditional RTS gameplay: the player builds and develops basic structures, collects resources, and amasss and upgrades an army. Unlike most real-time strategy games, all units are available at the start of the game, rather than having prerequisites to build them. The game has three player-controlled factions: the Order of the Flame, the Lizardmen and the Umbragen.