It is sadly not always possible to play in person when planning yourDungeons & Dragonssessions. Online play can also have its own advantages and convenience that could draw you to it. In any case, playing D&D online can be a great experience and many products and software can aid you in doing so.
Two-dimensional virtual tabletops, or VTTs, exist online and many can be used for free. Here we will focus on physical aids to better use these services or alternative VTT software. Whether you are a DM or a player you’ll find something to improve your immersion below.
All The Best Products To Play Dungeons & Dragons Online
Tabletop Simulator
Run your Dungeons & Dragons game in a tactile and immersive environment
WHERE TO PLAY
Tabletop Simulator is a popular platform for playing board games, RPGs, and many other engaging experiences online. The incredible possibility for immersive miniatures and terrain makes it an ideal replacement to tabletop role-playing.
For the choice of tabletop simulation, it’s hard to do better than Tabletop Simulator. As one would expect from the name, this software lets you emulate the physical experience of tabletop gaming online with friends.With a near-endless supply of material and game aids provided by the community on Steam, you can easily set up a D&D session with friends. Miniatures terrain and game references can all be had within the program.
While every player will need a paid copy of the game to participate, all of the features available are yours to keep. No subscription or additional services are required as with online VTTs that offer convenient features. In a pinch, you can stream the game over a chat service like Discord to involve them in the tabletop fun without the requirement of joining directly. Many VTT providers are available, and many of those are free, but no other option lets you actually flip the table when you roll a natural one.
Logitech C922x Pro Webcam
Play your campaign face-to-face even when you can’t meet in person
Logitech’s C922x webcam is a full HD camera for your video calls during sessions with a built-in microphone. Includes features like background removal and automatic light adjustment for ideal viewing of your fellow players.
One of the elements that is often missing from online play is the personal interaction with those at the game table. Thankfully, video calls can alleviate that feeling to an extent. The opportunity for roleplay is increased greatly when you can physically act as you speak in character. Seeing facial reactions and visual jokes add to the experience as well. If you are without a quality microphone this Logitech webcam can stand in for that as well.
With features like background removal and automatic video correction, you can focus on more immersive and personal role-play. Logitech is a clear winner for quality webcams, and the value you get for the price is nearly impossible to match. However, if you are willing to sacrifice quality, more affordable webcams do exist, some of the previous Logitech models can provide a cheap alternative. Whatever you choose, video can be an important part of your game, so don’t neglect it when considering your setup.
Articy Draft 3
Plot, plan, and track your game’s campaign with professional-grade software
Meant for design and story line planning Articy Draft is a professional tool for managing and tracking stories and development. This can be an incredibly powerful arsenal of features for campaign management. Connect your characters, locations, and more as you plot the direction of your game.
Dungeon Masters are spoiled with choices when it comes to ways to track and manage notes and campaigns. For the truly ambitious Articy:Draft 3 is a permanent license for professional game design software that will blow other management options out of the water. While likely to be overkill for many DMs, no product on the market can match the power Articy Draft supplies for managing storylines and projects.
A free version can be had from Articy if you are curious about what sort of features come in something so highly praised. Its use in professional settings is well deserved. You can create overviews with connections to plot points, locations, and characters, among plenty of other uses. With some effort, a campaign could even be run entirely out of Articy Draft, with character sheets, maps, and NPCs all gathered into folders and projects.
If you long for something capable of handling your expansive homebrew setting with thousands of entries for lore and characters, give Articy a try. Just be cautious you do not fall into a rabbit hole of campaign creation without ever actually playing D&D.
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
Create the perfect atmosphere in your online game with power right at your fingertips
The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is a flexibly powerful product that can handle macros and hotkeys for whatever you need. Not just great for live-streaming, you can connect important tabletop macros or set encounters and scenes easily.
Game masters who put extreme effort into weekly games or who run D&D sessions professionally often have numerous scenes, macros, and other factors to manage during gameplay. Whatever VTT you use a Stream Deck can provide quick access to anything you use for your gaming. Whether opening notes or applications, playing music over a voice call, or managing in-game macros for attack rolls and saving throws the hotkeys from Elgato can handle it.
Those who already have an interest in streaming and are looking to purchase oralready own an Elgato Stream Deckcan find many uses for it in their gaming sessions. Accessing different programs and windows easily can speed up gameplay whether you are a DM or a player. With the customizable nature of the Stream Decks keys, you could use them to make rolls or access characters and notes during gameplay with just a touch.
Dungeon Masters certainly have a better chance of utilizing the strengths of a Stream Deck, although other solutions for simple hotkeys are available if that is all you are interested in. If you run D&D sessions online professionally or stream your sessions, then this is a must-have. Otherwise, consult some research on use cases before you buy.
MNN 15.6-inch portable monitor
Get the benefits of additional screen space for game night without giving up your entire desk
Slim for easy storage and transport this monitor from MNN is great for quick setup as an additional screen. Manage your game details or character sheets on the extra real estate provided by this fold-out monitor.
Keeping an array of notes and video calls in view is a significant aid to your D&D game. Players or DMs without multiple monitors or a tablet to open calls on can struggle to access everything needed for play easily. For an option that takes less space and is more affordable than another monitor, look to portable screens for a solution. They can be useful beyond playing Dungeons & Dragons and let you expand your screen real estate on demand.
The best use is generally for displaying your video calling software if you use something like Discord while keeping your virtual tabletop open. Arranging the extra screen in portrait display can be perfect for accessing digital character sheets or online resources like D&D Beyond. Whether due to space or budget, expanding your usable monitor space can remain possible with this screen from MNN. Gamers who have enough desk space should consider a second monitor, but this can be an excellent alternative.
Access features for smooth and engaging gameplay through Tabletop Playground
Tabletop Playground is a tabletop simulation with VR capability in early access on Steam. Play your favorite board games and TTRPGs online with up to 16 players. Plentiful community content is available through mod.io for your gaming needs.
This promising entry offers another choice for VTT at an unbeatable price. Similar in function to Tabletop Simulator this early access game has features for dice and miniature play that beats using 2D services. Although it is currently in development and cannot match the larger library of community content from Tabletop Simulator this offers interesting options in terms of game creation and scripting tools.
The ability to perform actions like making snapping grids and 3D miniatures with in-game tools seems incredible for D&D gameplay. The flexibility possible for creating and running an RPG campaign in Tabletop Playground is unbelievable when you consider its low price. If these features sound engaging, and you want to try a growing platform, give this a try. You might find a new favorite method of play in this customizable environment.
FAQ
Is Online Play As Good As In-Person Gaming?
After the boom in popularity of online TTRPG campaigns with the inability to play in person, many players have found they prefer the online experience. It can be easy to find groups to play versus hoping to locate the type of game you want to play in a local group. With the increase in professional Dungeon Masters, it is easier than ever to hop right into an engaging D&D session. The interaction of players and physical media will always win out over simulations, although VTTs offer their own perks and conveniences.
What Is A Professional Dungeon Master?
Services and websites for DMing have begun expanding recently. With there often being far more players than there are DMs, many have moved to paying for well-prepped game experiences. Some players also find that playing with new groups and in many varying games offers unique play. While paying for DM services can be useful for some, it is not necessary for great online play. Many groups run free games that have incredible stories and materials. You can also more easily start and run a campaign with friends using free resources than ever before.
Which Online VTTs Are Best?
Websites that provide virtual tabletops are plentiful, with D&D Beyond offering new services for high-quality remote play. Other options include sites like Roll20, and Owlbear Rodeo, which are popular ways to play Dungeons & Dragons online. Which VTT is best for you will depend on your group’s needs. Many VTT services and software that require payment only require ownership of products from the Dungeon Master, allowing players to join games at no cost.
