Tabletop Roleplaying Games

What is a “pen and paper RPG” or “tabletop RPG”?

Tabletop roleplaying games are social storytelling games played at a table or online via a video call with a group of 3 to 6 people. Roleplaying games are an amazing blend of board game, storytelling, and improv theater. One of the players takes on the role of the game master (“GM”), who prepares and narrates big parts of the story. The other players take on the roles of the story’s main characters. While they don’t know what is going to happen in the story (only the GM does), their actions and group decisions shape the progress and outcome of the story.

The term “pen and paper roleplaying game” combines these two aspects: (a) You only need a pen, some paper, and a few game die to play. And (b) you take on the role of fictional characters to interact with the story. A synonym for this term is “tabletop RPG,” with “RPG” as the abbreviation for “roleplaying game”. Many people also call it Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), which has been the most popular roleplaying game over the last 40 years. Still, D&D is only one out of a thousand different available RPG systems.

How does a tabletop RPG work?

Once the GM and players have decided which setting they want to play their story in (e.g. medieval fantasy, cyberpunk, science fiction, etc.), the players create the characters they will play within this story. They choose looks, characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and motives. After this step, the GM prepares the story that spans a single or multiple game sessions. The GM can either purchase a pre-written story or design her/his own.

As soon as the setting, main characters, and the story are ready, the game can start. The GM will then gradually reveal parts of the story to the players. In turn, the players will narrate the actions of their characters to define the progress and eventually the outcome of the story. To add a bit of tension to the game, whenever the main character needs to solve a tricky problem, players roll die to determine how the situation will be resolved.

Sounds pretty abstract, right? Here’s a short example: The GM prepared a story about a mysterious murder, in which the players take on the roles of federal agents, who investigate the case. The GM knows all the details of the case, the players don’t. It’s for them to decide how they conduct the investigation, which clues to follow up on, and which witnesses to question. The GM will narrate the story based on the actions and the decisions of the players in their roles as FBI agents.

Actual play videos

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Which kind of settings and stories are there?

In tabletop roleplaying games you can choose from as many different settings and story genres as in literature, movies, and TV shows. By far the most popular setting is medieval fantasy, in which a group of adventurers (knights, wizards, clerics, etc.) sets out to protect the land from roaming monsters and the machinations of evil sorcerers. Other popular RPG genres include supernatural horror stories set in the modern world, heist fiction in a dystopian future cyberpunk setting, or stories about superheroes.

Here are the most popular roleplaying game settings based on how often people google them.

In addition to those very popular settings, there are thousands of niche roleplaying games covering any genre you can think of. To give you a taste of this incredible diversity of available RPGs, here’s a list of some more unusual settings:

What are the most popular roleplaying games?

Dungeons & Dragons is the most played tabletop RPG out there. It’s the oldest roleplaying game and has a massive community behind it. It also has a strong marketing machine to back it up and maintain its no. 1 status. 99% of all retail game stores on the planet with a tabletop RPG section have D&D on their shelves. But there’s much more to roleplaying than just D&D. Here are the top 5 roleplaying games based on how often they are searched for on Google.

What makes tabletop RPGs so special?

In pen and paper roleplaying games you can be whoever you want. You can do whatever you want. And you can tell your story however you want it to be told. Your imagination is the only limit. No other gaming hobby offers so many choices and so much freedom to express your creativity. Let’s take a closer look at the strengths of tabletop RPGs.

1. Be who you want to be

Want to play as a muscular axe-wielding barbarian in a medieval fantasy world? Or maybe a fearless larger-than-life pirate queen, who leads her crew into dangerous journeys across the seven seas? Or maybe you want to be a shy but incredibly witty student of the arcane arts at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? As long as it fits the setting, you can take on any role you want. And you can also customize every single aspect of your character: Appearance, strengths, weaknesses, motivations, friends, and foes, you name it.

2. Freedom of choice

No other game offers you so many choices for what to do and how to act within the given story. Imagine this scene: your goal is to meet an informant at a local tavern. A mean and heavy-set bouncer guards the entrance and won’t let you in.
The good board games and computer games out there offer you a set of choices. Usually these are using violence, trying to bribe the bouncer or maybe trick him into letting you in. With a tabletop RPG, there is no fixed set of options. You can try anything you can think of. Sure, you could try to bribe the guard, knock him unconscious, and so on. But you could also try to find another entrance, or wait for the informant to leave the tavern, or ask one of the other patrons to vouch for you. With pen and paper RPGs, your options are limitless. You decide how the story is going to progress.

3. Make it your story

Together with your group, you can design the setting and story exactly the way you want it to be. You can choose from thousands of ready-made scenarios and settings. Or you can develop your own world and the stories in it yourself. Additionally, by combining your GM’s way of telling the story with the actions the players in your group take, you’ll end up with your own unique story.

Games related to tabletop RPGs

Within the nerd cosmos, there are four games closely linked to tabletop RPGs. Somebody who is into tabletop RPGs is usually playing one or two of these games as well.

Where can I try out pen and paper RPGs?

So, now that you know what tabletop RPGs are about, are you ready to play your first session? There are two ways to do so:

1. Find an online RPG session

Roll20 and the Gauntlet forum are two great tabletop RPG communities to look for online. Newbies are highly welcome there. Just search their list of game sessions with open player slots and ask if you may join. At Roll20, you need to tick the boxes for “new players welcome” and “free to play.” Make sure to tell the GM that you are new to pen and paper RPGs, so they’ll give you a decent introduction to the rules.

The Gauntlet Hangouts

2. Play at your local game store

Want the full experience? Then try out a game session at a table. Many games stores regularly host tabletop RPG sessions for new players. Just ask the shop owner for details. Tell them which kind of game or setting you’re interested in, so they can organize a session that’s interesting for you. Make sure to bring a friend if you’re not comfortable playing a game with a group of strangers.

What if your first tabletop RPG session sucks?

Your first tabletop RPG game will probably be different from the games you’ve been watching on Youtube. That’s because every GM and every group of players have a specific style of play. Some people focus on the story, some enjoy combat, and others might prefer in-game conflicts and drama between the player characters. Don’t give up after your first round. We really recommend trying at least two other GMs before you make a final decision. Tabletop RPGs really are a great hobby, but it might take some time to find a group you feel comfortable playing with.

What do I need to play a tabletop RPG?

As the name “pen and paper roleplaying game” suggests, you really only need a pencil and a piece of paper. A pair of dice will be useful too, but you can borrow them from someone at your first session. The most important thing you’ll need is a group of players and a GM to host the game. Check out the above-mentioned online communities or your local game store to help you with your search. And you’ll be needing a space to play in. But that’s all. No fancy equipment necessary, no special talents needed.

Recommended tabletop roleplaying games for beginners

D&D, Pathfinder, and Shadowrun are the most popular tabletop RPGs at the moment. While it’s easy to find a group that will take on new players, the rules of these games are fairly complex. That’s why we recommend Dungeon World and Cthulhu for new players instead. They are rules-light and easy to start for your first tabletop RPG session.

Dungeon World

Setting: High Fantasy
Rules-light, perfect for beginning GMs and players

Get Dungeon World here

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Call of Cthulhu

Setting: Investigative, Horror, Mystery – in 1920s or modern setting You’ll need an experienced GM for this

Get Call of Cthulhu here

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Further reading

Still not quite sure how tabletop roleplaying games work or if you should try them out?
Check out these videos from vox.com and roll20.net.

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Picture of Thomas Weinberger

Thomas Weinberger

Hi, I'm Thomas, a tabletop RPG enthusiast since 1994. Currently I'm very much into indie and story games. My goal is to support other GMs with advice and inspiration for this great hobby.

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