Tabletop RPG Guide
Welcome to your home base for all things tabletop RPGs.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed choosing your next tabletop RPG, or wondered what lies beyond D&D, you’re in the right place. The tabletop RPG space is huge, full of excellent systems that rarely get clear, practical recommendations.
This hub is organized into two sections. Best of & Analysis covers rankings, comparisons, and deep dives into what different systems do well. Onboarding focuses on learning and running games that have reputations for being complex, giving you a clear path from curiosity to the table.
Best of & Analysis
This section covers my rankings, system comparisons, and design philosophy breakdowns. If you’re trying to decide what game to play next or want to understand why certain systems work the way they do, start here. The articles range from broad overviews of the entire RPG landscape to focused comparisons between specific mechanics.
- Survival TTRPGs: The Real Test (And Why Most Games Fail It) — An evaluation of what makes a survival TTRPG valid through its mechanics and ruleset, not just vibes.
- Heroic Fantasy TTRPGs: The Real Test (And So Many Games Fail It) — An analysis of which RPGs support long-term heroism through mechanics, not just aesthetic or setting.
- Grimdark TTRPGs: The Real Test (And Why Most Games Fail It) – An examination of which grimdark RPGs meaningfully engage with the genre, and which just use the aesthetic.
- The Most Complete One-Book TTRPGs: Top 10 Rankings — A strict evaluation of which single-volume RPGs actually support full campaigns without external supplements.
- Top 6 Underappreciated Tabletop RPGs (Hidden Gems) — Well-designed systems that fly under the radar despite offering depth, elegance, or unusual mechanical strengths.
- These are the top 3 Superhero Tabletop RPGs — A focused comparison of the three superhero RPGs that best capture power, tone, and playability at the table.
- The Very Best Licensed Tabletop RPG’s — An evaluation of licensed RPGs that successfully translate existing IP into strong, playable game systems.
- Beyond D&D: A Complete RPG Guided Tour Through Tabletop Design Philosophies – Part one of a guided tour through twelve RPGs, each chosen to illustrate a distinct tabletop design philosophy.
- Beyond D&D, Part 2: Advanced TTRPG Systems & Innovations – A deeper dive into experimental and innovative RPGs that push design beyond traditional assumptions.
- The Top 9 “Full-Spectrum” Tabletop RPGs – An analysis of nine systems whose settings demand versatility across combat, investigation, social play, and exploration.
- Tabletop RPGs with Great Combat, Story & Realism: Top 4 Well-Rounded Systems – Four well-rounded RPGs that balance tactical combat, narrative play, and simulation without overcommitting to one axis.
- D&D Feats and Pathfinder Feats, what’s the difference? — A breakdown of how feats function differently in each system and how those differences shape character building.
- The top 10 tabletop RPGs of all time — A ranked list evaluating the most influential and enduring tabletop RPGs based on design impact and play longevity.
- What’s the Deal with Pathfinder 1e and 2e? – A clear breakdown of what actually changed between editions and why the split matters in real play.
- What’s the deal with D&D 5e and 5.5/One? – A clear explanation of what actually changed in the 2024 update, what stayed compatible, and what it means for existing books.
Onboarding
Learning a new tabletop RPG—especially complex ones—can feel like decoding a textbook. These guides walk you through the actual steps to get started: what books you need, how to approach the rules, and what to focus on in your first session. Think of them as the friendly explanation you wish came with the rulebook. If you have any requests, let me know.
- How to Learn and Play the Ars Magica Tabletop RPG — A practical introduction to Ars Magica’s troupe-style play, seasonal structure, and why its complexity is front-loaded.
- How to Learn and Play the Burning Wheel Tabletop RPG — An onboarding guide focused on beliefs, instincts, and the reward cycle that drives Burning Wheel’s emergent stories.
- How to Get Started Playing the GURPS Tabletop Roleplaying Game –A beginner-friendly path through GURPS’s modular design, helping new players avoid option overload and start playing quickly.