Tabletop Roleplaying Games

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5E) burst onto the scene in 2014, taking a game that’d been around since the ‘70s and giving it new life. After a huge public playtest called "D&D Next," the creators wanted to smooth over old division and give everyone — whether you’re an old-school fan or totally new — a game that feels both classic and modern. D&D quickly stopped being just a niche hobby and it started becoming more popular, showing up everywhere: streams, podcasts, and mainstream pop culture (Community, Stranger Things, D&D movie). In 2024 the game system was given a major overhaul, providing smaller changes and fixes to various parts of the game. This is now known as Dungeons & Dragons 5.5 Edition (2024) Description In D&D 5E, the players create fantasy adventurers. From elven rogues to dragonborn paladins, while one player takes up the role of the Dungeon Master (DM). The DM is the one who builds and describes the world, acts and voices the non-player characters and controls the monsters and the world around them, acting as both the lead storyteller and generally the rules referee. The heart of 5E is “rulings over rules.” Instead of pages of complicated charts, the DM is encouraged to make quick calls and keep things moving, not letting rules stop the game in it's tracks. The game is built on the "Three Pillars": Combat, Exploration, and Social Interaction.  System Overview & Key Features The Core d20 Mechanic The resolution system is unified and straightforward. To attempt almost most action where the outcome is not clearly obvious and there is a chance for failure, the player rolls a 20-sided die (d20), and adds the relevant modifier (either from their main stat or their skill bonus) and the DM's set Difficulty Check (DC) determines whether the attempt was a success or a failure. Advantage and Disadvantage This is 5E’s defining innovation. Instead of making players calculate a dozen tiny modifiers (+2 for high ground, -1 for rain, +1 for a spell etc), the system or the DM simply declares whether the character has Advantage or Disadvantage on said roll. The player rolls two d20s and takes the higher result (Advantage) or the lower result (Disadvantage) and adds the necessary modifiers to the result. Bounded Accuracy In older editions, numbers got out of hand fast. With 5E the numbers increase at a reasonable rate. Armor Class (AC) and attack bonuses rise slowly, so even high-level adventurers aren't always guaranteed to overcome a bunch of goblins. Most encounters can still be a challenge, especially if the amount of enemies is high. The Proficiency Bonus A single, scaling number (starting at +2 and ending at +6) represents the character's training and experience. If a character is trained in using a weapon type, a skill (like Stealth), or a saving throw, they simply add their Proficiency Bonus to the d20 roll. Backgrounds Roleplaying your character is starts already at the character creation. Picking a Background (like Acolyte or Criminal) gives you extra skills and story hooks: Personality Traits, Ideals, Bonds, Flaws, all concrete details to play with. Resource Management (Rests) The game manages health and class abilities through a system of "Short Rests" (a quick one-hour break to spend Hit Dice and regain some abilities) and "Long Rests" (a full eight hours of downtime to completely heal and restore all spell slots and abilities). Subclasses While players pick a primary Class (like Wizard) at level 1, they branch off into specialized Subclasses (like the School of Evocation or the School of Illusion) typically between levels 1 and 3, allowing for deep customization while presenting progression through incremental steps as the character grows and levels up Additional links dungeonsanddragons.com - Official Dungeons & Dragons website Basic Rules (2014)  - D&D 5E free rules

Daggerheart is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game published by Darrington Press, an imprint of Critical Role Productions. The game was released in 2025. Description Daggerheart is a story-docused role-playing game system, where the rules direct players to think narratively and not just mechanically. The game uses a system called Duality Dice, where players roll two twelve-sided dice. One for Hope and one for Fear. In addition to determining whether the character achieves success or fails at the action they are trying to perform, it also generates a helpful Hope resource for the player, or a challenging Fear resource for the game master (GM). Lead designer Spenser Starke explained that there is "also no initiative in Daggerheart". It functions very much like a Forged in the Dark or a Powered By The Apocalypse game, where the GM is making moves on certain dice rolls and we're passing play back and forth as a conversation. It all flows together in a way that supports the storytelling-first direction that Critical Role has really embraced over the last decade". The game features 279 supplemental cards to track player abilities and characteristics. Darrington Press also launched several digital resources, including an online custom card creator. Additional links “Getting Started” daggerheart.com - Official guide for Daggerheart

D&D 5.5E (officially the 2024 core rules revision) is the modernized, updated evolution of the immensely popular Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (2014). The new and updated version of the system was released to coincide with the game’s 50th anniversary. Rather than replacing 5th Edition with a completely new "6th Edition," 5.5E refines and expands upon the existing 5E framework and most of the already existing mechanics. It is maintaining backwards compatibility with the  adventure and source books from 5th Edition. Description D&D 5.5E is the continuation of the iconic d20-based heroic fantasy roleplaying game. Players take on the roles of daring adventurers and the Dungeon Master (DM) describes the world, the events, controls the monsters and non-player characters, and referees the rules. The 5.5E revision was driven heavily by years of player feedback and data on how tables actually run the game. As a result, the new core rulebooks, the Player’s Handbook (September 2024), Dungeon Master’s Guide (November 2024), and Monster Manual (February 2025) are better organized, have clarified language and wording, and try to bring a stronger balance between spellcasting and martial classes. It plays exactly like the 5th Edition, but with tighter mechanics, fewer confusing edge-cases, and more tactical options for the players to have a more unique approach and feel to their characters. System Overview & Key Features Weapon Masteries This is a massive change to how martial classes are played in combat. Weapons now have specific "Mastery" properties, such as Cleave, Graze, or Push. This allows the characters to apply tactical, battlefield-controlling effects on their strikes rather than only rolling for standard damage on their turns. Subclass Standardization All character classes now choose their defining subclass at Level 3. This standardizes character progression and prevents the narrative weirdness of a Level 1 character instantly unlocking ultimate magical bloodlines before they've even adventured. Streamlined Conditions & Mechanics Historically clunky rules have been completely overhauled. For example: Surprise Instead of enemies randomly losing their first turn, surprised combatants simply roll their Initiative with Disadvantage. Exhaustion Replaced with a much simpler, cumulative 1-to-10 scale where each level of exhaustion simply subtracts from your d20 rolls and reduces your movement speed. Hiding Normalized so that successfully hiding essentially grants the "Invisible" condition, removing ambiguity for the DM. The Bastion System Introduced in the new Dungeon Master's Guide, this is an official customizable base-building system. It allows players to construct and manage their own strongholds. From arcane observatories to gambling dens. Apex Monsters & Upgraded Threats The 2025 Monster Manual expanded the roster to over 500 creatures, redesigning legacy stat blocks to be more dynamic in combat. It also introduced "Apex Monsters". These are a higher Challenge Rating versions of classic monsters (like an Apex Hag) designed to serve as more challenging bosses or enemies adding more danger and flavor to the basic version of the creature. Backwards Compatibility The core promise of 5.5E has been that you can still run older 5E adventure modules or campaign settings, even while adapting and using the newer ruleset and systems. If a table wants to bring a 2014 character class into a 5.5E game, the rules are there to accommodate, though it is highly encouraged to transition older characters to the updated 2024 mechanics, as the new systems bring  horizontal expansions to various classes and abilities. Additional links D&D Beyond Basic Rules - Free basic ruleset for the 5.5E D&D

Savage Worlds is a tabletop roleplaying game designed by Shane Lacy Hensley and published by Pinnacle Entertainment Group. Originally released in 2003 and updated, as the Adventure Edition in 2018. Its a universal system for running games in almost any genre from weird west and high fantasy to deep space sci-fi. The game is specifically engineered to handle cinematic pulp action and massive battles without slowing down the narrative. The system it directly evolved from is Deadlands (1996) Description Savage Worlds has everything you need to play narrative or miniature-based games, with quick, simple, yet comprehensive rules for everything from combat to Dramatic Tasks, Chases, and Interludes. The emphasis is on less bookkeeping for the Game Master so she can quickly and easily create worlds and adventures for any setting and focus on the players and their actions to keep the action and story rocketing along. System Overview & Key Features Step Dice Mechanic Instead of fixed numeric modifiers, character attributes and skills are rated by die types, ranging from a four sided die (d4) to a twelve sided die (d12). To succeed at a task, a player rolls their skill die and tries to hit a standard target number, which is almost always a 4. The Wild Die Player characters and major non player characters get to roll an extra six sided die called the Wild Die whenever they make a trait test. They roll this alongside their standard skill die and take the higher of the two results, significantly increasing their baseline competence. Acing (Exploding Dice) If any die rolls its maximum possible value, such as rolling an 8 on an eight sided die, the die "aces". The player gets to roll that die again and add the new value to the total. This can chain multiple times, allowing for massive, cinematic successes against all odds. Initiative with Playing Cards Instead of rolling dice for turn order, combat initiative is tracked using a standard deck of playing cards with the Jokers left in. This makes tracking turn order incredibly fast and visually clear. Drawing a Joker grants that character a powerful bonus to all their rolls for that round. Additional links peginc.com - Official Pinnacle Entertainment Group website savagepedia.wiki - Savage Worlds Wiki (Extensive fan curated rules and setting resource)

Pathfinder 2nd Edition is a tactical, crunchy and highly customizable heroic fantasy roleplaying game system published by Paizo. Originally released in 2019 as the evolution of the Pathfinder system (which grew out of the D&D 3.5 system, as a reaction to the release of the simplified and more video game-like D&D 4E). The system recently received a comprehensive "Remaster" overhaul, which decoupled the game from the legacy Open Game License (OGL), moving it to the system-agnostic ORC License. The Remaster version has updated various terminology and streamlined different conflicting mechanics, the core engine of PF2E remains exactly the same as before. Description Like other d20-based fantasy games, players are an adventuring party that go on adventures, defeat enemies and uncover various mysteries while the Game Master (GM) is in charge of running the world around the characters and is in control of managing any enemies and non-player characters they might encounter. However, where D&D 5E leans heavily on "rulings over rules" and simplicity, Pathfinder 2E has shifted its focus on customization and making sure that with every system balance is maintained. Pathfinder 2E is ideal for players who are more into tactical combat, clear rules for exploration, and the ability to build unique character concepts with a reasonable amount of customization without accidentally breaking the game or worry too much about maintaining balance. The system comes with great tools for the GMs as the system provides clear guidelines and mechanics for most situations, meaning the GM rarely has to invent or interpret rules on the fly to keep the game moving. System Overview & Key Features The 3-Action Economy Pathfinder 2E is famous for their action system. Instead of pre-defined action types, the player can perform creatively distribute their actions how they see fit. Instead of always having a "move action" that the character can utilize or leave unused, the system allows a character to instead use that action as an extra attack. Or instead of attacking, the adventurer can move twice (or thrice, if using all actions). Degrees of Success Instead of approaching "1" or "20" on the d20 die as a critical result, The system considers "oversucceeding" as a critical success. Succeeding a roll by 10 or more points it is automatically a Critical Success. If you miss the DC by 10 or more, it is a Critical Failure. Because of this, every single +1 or -1 improvement feels more impactful and important. Feat-Based Character Customization There are no "useless level-ups" Every single level-up players make meaningful choices by selecting from an extensive assortment of Ancestry Feats, Class Feats, Skill Feats, and General Feats. This creates a situation, where even two characters of the same class can be played completely differently. Reliable Encounter Building The game's underlying math is rigorous and highly functional. An encounter mathematically classified as "Severe" will actually push the party to their limits. GMs can trust the system's encounter building rules completely. Keyword and Trait System Spells, weapons, and abilities have specific traits (like "Incapacitation" or "Fire"). If a rule has a trait, it consistently interacts with the rest of the game's mechanics in the exact same way, removing ambiguity. Edicts and Anathema PF2e has abandoned the traditional moral alignment system. Deities and classes are governed by Edicts (things your character must strive to do) and Anathema (things you must avoid), creating a more nuanced approach to roleplaying. Additional links paizo.com/pathfinder - Official Pathfinder website 2e.aonprd.com - Archives of Nethys (Official free rules database for PF2e)

Dungeon Crawl Classics Role Playing Game (DCC RPG or simply DCC) is a role-playing game published by Goodman Games in 2012. The game is famous for its chaotic magic, bizarre dice, and its distinct artwork. DCC RPG is a fast-paced, open-feeling rules set allowing for epic game experiences without unnecessary tethers. It uses modern game-play while paying homage to the origins of role-playing and the fun that it inspired. The system it directly evolved from is Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition (2000) Description You’re no hero. You’re an adventurer: a reaver, a cutpurse, a heathen-slayer, a tight-lipped warlock guarding long-dead secrets. You seek gold and glory, winning it with sword and spell, caked in the blood and filth of the weak, the dark, the demons, and the vanquished. There are treasures to be won deep underneath, and you shall have them. System Overview & Key Features The Level Zero Funnel Instead of carefully crafting a single hero, each player generates three or four completely random level zero peasants. You run this mob through a deadly introductory dungeon. The few survivors who manage to escape earn their first class level and become your actual player characters. The Dice Chain The game uses a set of unusual dice alongside the standard setup. These include a d3, d5, d7, d14, d16, d24, and d30. Instead of applying static mathematical penalties or bonuses, the Game Master might simply tell you to roll the next die up or down on the chain. Mighty Deeds of Arms Warriors and Dwarves do not have rigid skill trees or complex combat feats. Before any attack, they can declare a heroic maneuver, like blinding an enemy or sweeping their legs. They roll a Deed Die alongside their attack, and if the die rolls high enough, the maneuver succeeds dynamically. Roll to Cast Magic Magic is incredibly powerful but highly unpredictable. Wizards and Clerics must roll a spell check every time they cast. A high roll creates a massive, reality altering effect, while a low roll causes the spell to fail and potentially slip from the caster's mind for the rest of the day. Additional links goodmangames.com - Official Goodman Games website purplesorcerer.com - Purple Sorcerer Games (free tools and character generators) Community Resources - Resources for new DCC players Events Page - This is the place to find out all of the games the Road Crew will be running

Pathfinder is a heroic fantasy roleplaying game system with a high amount of character customization and progression, published by Paizo in 2009. It was developed as a response to Wizards of the Coast transitioning the D&D genre to D&D 4th Edition, which was seen as a strong deviation from the math-heavy norm from 3.5E. Pathfinder was built using the Open Game License (OGL) to revise and expand upon the beloved 3.5 ruleset.  The system it directly evolved from is Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Edition The second edition of the game was released in 2019 as Pathfinder 2nd Edition Description Pathfinder 1e is well known for its "crunch". It relies heavily on strict rules, mechanical variation and math. The system is perfect for players who prefer heavy character optimization and customization, focus on tactical combat encounters and a strong ruleset for almost any situation. Pathfinder is proud of it's complexity and very much focuses on it. Boasting a massive library of  spells, classes, and feats, allows the players to build very mechanically different and unique characters. It is also renowned for its "Adventure Paths": epic, six-part published campaigns that take characters from level 1 to roughly level 20. System Overview & Key Features The d20 System & Action Economy Like 3.5E, the core engine runs on a d20 roll plus modifiers. On every turn the characters have a set structure to perform their actions. Mechanically separated into Standard, Move and Swift actions. Archetypes & Deep Customization Instead of relying on complicated "Prestige Classes," Pathfinder 1e popularized "Archetypes." These allow players to swap out base class features for heavily themed alternatives right from level 1. This enables the players an extensive levels of customization when combining with the thousands of available feats to further personalise their unique character concept. Base Attack Bonus (BAB) Martial prowess is measured by a Base Attack Bonus. As this number grows, martial classes can eventually achieve "iterative attacks," allowing them to attack with their weapons multiple times per their turns, although penalties apply for repeated attempts. Combat Maneuver Mechanics (CMB/CMD) The system introduced two systems to simplify actions like tripping, grappling or disarming your opponents: Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver Defense. This created a single, reliable formula to use when performing maneuvers against an enemy. Skill Ranks Instead of a single "Proficiency Bonus" like in modern games, players are given a pool of Skill Points at every level (determined by their class and Intelligence score) to manually distribute across a massive list of skills, allowing for highly granular non-combat abilities. Lethality and "Crunch" As characters level up, the numbers grow exponentially. This means, that by reaching higher levels of encounters, characters and their opponents are dealing huge amounts of damage, alongside with various magical buffs and spells that could instantly kill a character. Planning and tracking situational modifiers and buffs becomes vital for survival. Additional links pathfinderwiki.com - Pathfinder Wiki  aonprd.com - Archives of Nethys (Official free rules database for PF1e)

Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition is a tactical, combat-focused tabletop roleplaying system released by Wizards of the Coast in 2008. Designed to fix the high-level math imbalances and "martial vs. caster" disparities of the 3.5E era, 4E redesigned the game's engine with a more video game adjacent approach. It is famous for its structured, grid-based combat and for standardizing class abilities into a unified system. While its dramatic departure from legacy mechanics polarized the fanbase directly paving the way for the creation of Pathfinder. 4E is widely praised today for its brilliant monster design, DM tools, and unparalleled encounter balance. The system it directly replaced is Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Edition (2003) Description In D&D 4E, players take on the roles of heroes who are combat-capable right from the start. The system relies of combat being carried out with the use of a battle grid. Positioning plays a big part of the combat experience. The exact location of the characters matters greatly. Unlike other editions where spellcasters are played in a separate mechanical way than martial classes, 4E unifies the progression system. Every class is boiled down to a specific combat "Role" and draws from their specialized toolkit of "Powers," making the game balanced and ensuring that every character has unique and impactful actions that they can perform on their turns. System Overview & Key Features The Power System Instead of traditional spell slots or basic attacks, every class has a list of At-Will, Encounter, Daily, and Utility powers, each with different power levels and frequency at which they can be performed. Fighters can execute epic daily maneuvers just as wizards cast daily spells, creating a better balance between martial classes and spellcasters. Combat Roles All classes are sorted by their class specialization role: Defenders (tanks who draw aggro and protect their allies), Strikers (high single-target damage), Leaders (healers and support), and Controllers (area-of-effect damage and debuffers). Static Defenses Saving throws were removed and replaced with four different defense values: Armor Class, Fortitude, Reflex, and Will. When a wizard casts a fireball, they roll an attack against the targets' Reflex. Instead of both sides rolling for success and for defense - the attacker is the only one to roll dice. Healing Surges A standardized resource pool representing a character's stamina. Almost all healing in the game, whether from a cleric's spell or catching your breath, requires the target to spend a Healing Surge, which reliably heals them for exactly one-quarter of their maximum hit points. Monster Roles & Minions The Dungeon Master's toolkit was revolutionized. Monsters have explicit roles (like Brute, Artillery, or Skirmisher) that cleanly dictate their behavior. 4E also introduced "Minions". Monsters that have normal stats and deal average damage, but only have exactly 1 Hit Point, allowing heroes to cleave through cinematic hordes. Skill Challenges An unique system with 4E is Skill Challenges - a "cinematic" series of actions that turn social, environmental or escape situations into more movie-like scenes. The players must achieve a certain amount (determined by the situation) of successful skill checks, before they collect enough failed skill checks. Additional links dungeonsanddragons.com - Official Dungeons & Dragons website