D&D VIRTUAL TABLETOPS
Tabletop simulators have become increasingly popular among Dungeons & Dragons players in recent years, offering a virtual alternative to traditional in-person play. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which tabletop simulator is right for your group. In this article, we’ll be exploring the various Dungeons and Dragons tabletop simulators available and highlighting the unique features of each. Whether you’re looking for a realistic virtual tabletop experience or a simpler solution for remote play, there’s a simulator out there that can help you enhance your D&D gameplay.
Roll20
Roll20 is one of the most popular virtual tabletop software options for Dungeons & Dragons players. The software provides players with a virtual space to play their games, including features such as character sheets, digital dice, maps, and other game assets. Roll20 also includes a built-in voice and video chat system, allowing players to communicate and coordinate their gameplay in real-time. The platform supports a wide range of game systems, including D&D, and provides players with the flexibility to customize their games to their preferences. Roll20 is a great choice for players who want a comprehensive virtual tabletop experience.
Roll20 Key Features
- Roll20 has an extensive library of game assets, including pre-made maps and character sheets, that can be easily imported into a game.
- The platform has a built-in voice and video chat system that allows players to communicate with one another in real-time during gameplay.
- Roll20 has a comprehensive set of tools for DMs to manage their campaigns, including the ability to track initiative, hit points, and other important game details.
- The platform allows for easy integration with other digital tools, such as D&D Beyond, to enhance gameplay and streamline game management.
Roll20 is highly customizable, allowing players to create their own custom game assets, including maps, tokens, and character sheets.
Foundry Virtual Tabletop
FoundryVTT is a virtual tabletop software designed for roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons. The software provides players with a virtual space to play their games, including features such as character sheets, digital dice, maps, and other game assets. FoundryVTT has a flexible and customizable architecture that allows for seamless integration with a variety of game systems, including D&D. The platform provides DMs with a suite of tools to manage their campaigns, including the ability to track initiative, hit points, and other important game details. FoundryVTT also has a robust community of developers who create and share custom modules and game assets to enhance gameplay.Foundry Virtual Tabletop Key Features
FoundryVTT has a modular design that allows users to install and customize modules for specific games, rulesets, and functionality.
- The platform includes a variety of automation tools, such as auto-rolling dice, that streamline gameplay and reduce the need for manual calculations.
- FoundryVTT has a robust set of audio and video tools, including integration with webcams, that enhance the virtual tabletop experience.
- The software offers advanced fog of war and lighting features that allow for immersive gameplay and map exploration.
- FoundryVTT is highly customizable, allowing players and DMs to create their own custom game assets, including maps, tokens, and character sheets, and share them with the community.
TablePlop
Fantasy Grounds is a popular virtual tabletop software designed for roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons. The software provides players with a virtual space to play their games, including features such as character sheets, digital dice, maps, and other game assets. Fantasy Grounds has a comprehensive set of tools for DMs to manage their campaigns, including the ability to track initiative, hit points, and other important game details. The platform also supports a wide range of game systems, including D&D, and provides players with the flexibility to customize their games to their preferences. Fantasy Grounds is a great choice for players who want a feature-rich virtual tabletop experience.
TablePlop Key Features
TablePlop is designed with ease of use in mind, making it a great choice for new players or those who may not be familiar with virtual tabletop software.
- The platform offers a wide variety of customization options, allowing users to create detailed and immersive game environments.
- TablePlop’s built-in collaboration tools, including video and voice chat, make it easy to communicate with other players during gameplay.
- The software offers a unique “dynamic lighting” feature that allows for realistic lighting effects and line of sight calculations, enhancing the immersive quality of gameplay.
TablePlop allows for seamless integration with other digital tools, such as D&D Beyond, to enhance gameplay and streamline game management.
TaleSpire
Talespire is a virtual tabletop software that offers a unique take on the traditional Dungeons & Dragons gameplay experience. The software provides players with a virtual space to play their games, including features such as character sheets, digital dice, maps, and other game assets. But what sets Tablespire apart is its quirky and offbeat design, which includes customizable character miniatures and a playful interface. Plus, with its easy-to-use tools and intuitive controls, even a beholder could figure out how to use it! Tablespire is a great choice for players who want a tabletop experience that is both fun and functional.
TableSpire Features
Talespire has a unique and playful design that sets it apart from other virtual tabletop software options.
- The platform offers a wide variety of customization options, including customizable character miniatures, allowing players to create unique and memorable game experiences.
- Talespire’s intuitive and user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and use, even for new players.
- The software offers a unique “real-world physics” feature, which allows for realistic movement and interaction between game elements, enhancing the immersive quality of gameplay.
Talespire offers an active and engaged community of developers and players, who are constantly creating and sharing new game assets, including maps, miniatures, and other game elements.
Lets Roll
Let’s Roll is a virtual tabletop software that promises to make your Dungeons & Dragons gameplay experience a rollicking good time. The platform provides players with a virtual space to play their games, including features such as character sheets, digital dice, maps, and other game assets. But what sets Let’s Roll apart is its infectious sense of humor, which is evident in its playful interface and witty design elements. With its intuitive controls and easy-to-use tools, even a gelatinous cube could figure out how to use it! Let’s Roll is the perfect choice for players who want a virtual tabletop experience that is both fun and functional.
Lets Role Features
Tablespire’s unique “real-world physics” feature allows for realistic and dynamic interactions between game elements, creating a highly immersive gameplay experience.
- The software’s intuitive controls and user-friendly interface make it easy for players to create and customize game elements, including maps, miniatures, and other assets.
- Tablespire’s playful design and customizable character miniatures create a fun and engaging atmosphere for players.
- The platform offers an active community of developers and players who are constantly creating and sharing new game assets and modules, ensuring that players always have fresh content to work with.
Tabletop Simulator
Virtual Tabletop Simulator is a game that allows players to create and customize their own virtual tabletop games, including Dungeons & Dragons. The platform provides a wide variety of game assets, including maps, miniatures, and character sheets, that players can use to create immersive game experiences. Players can also create their own custom game elements and share them with the community. The game offers a variety of automation tools and features, including dice rolling, game physics, and scripting, that streamline gameplay and enhance the virtual tabletop experience. With its flexible design and intuitive controls, Virtual Tabletop Simulator is a great choice for players who want to create unique and memorable game experiences.
Tabletop Simulator Features
Tabletop Simulator offers an incredibly flexible and customizable game engine, allowing players to create virtually any type of game they can imagine.
- The platform provides a huge library of pre-built assets, including hundreds of game elements and environments, which can be used as building blocks for custom games.
- Tabletop Simulator offers robust multiplayer support, with the ability to host games for up to 10 players simultaneously.
- The software includes built-in scripting capabilities, which allow for advanced game automation and customization.
Tabletop Simulator has an active and engaged community of developers and players who are constantly creating and sharing new game assets, ensuring that there is always fresh content to work with.
Map Resources for your VTT
If you’re looking to enhance your Dungeons & Dragons gameplay experience even further, don’t forget to check out our list of various map building tools. These tools can be used in conjunction with any of the virtual tabletop software options we’ve discussed, allowing you to create immersive and detailed game environments for your players. From simple map generators to more advanced software with dynamic lighting and line of sight calculations, our list has something for every level of game master.
Inkarnate
Inkarnate is an online map-making platform that allows you to create incredible fantasy maps for...
Mapgen 4
Randomly generate an island or continent then use the sliders to adjust its features.
Dungen Generator
With a couple of drop down menus and checkboxes you can generate random dungeons in...
Fantasy-Calendar’s Dungeon Generator
Generate random dungeon maps and select tiles to cycle through different options.
Dungeon Scrawl
Create old-school-style dungeon maps in several styles using different layers to add them all together.
Medieval Fantasy City Generator
Randomly generate then adjust block based medieval style city maps for your D&D campaign.
DonJon Fantasy World Generator
Generate a random world map w/ labeled locations for you dungeons and dragons campaign.
DonJon Random Dungeon Generator
Generate a random dungeon map with options for size, rooms, and hallways
Fantasy Map Generator
Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator is a free web application generating interactive and highly customizable svg maps based...
Frequently Asked Questions About Map Building
What is the best D&D Map building tool?
When it comes to choosing a map building tool for Dungeons & Dragons, there are a lot of options to choose from. Some popular choices include Campaign Cartographer, Inkarnate, and Wonderdraft. To choose the best tool for your needs, consider what you want to accomplish with your map. Some tools may be better for creating large world maps, while others may be better for creating detailed battle maps. Ultimately, every map building tool has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it’s up to you to decide which tool is best for your particular use case.
What is the best grid size for my D&D Map?
The best grid size for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign map depends on a variety of factors, including the size and scale of the map, as well as the preferences of the players and DM. However, a common grid size for battle maps is 1 inch by 1 inch, with each square representing 5 feet of distance. This allows for easy tracking of movement and combat during encounters. Ultimately, the best grid size for your campaign map will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
How big should a Roll20 map be?
The size of a Roll20 map can vary depending on the needs of the game, but a good rule of thumb is to aim for a map that is no larger than 5 MB in size. This will ensure that the map loads quickly and doesn’t cause lag or other performance issues during gameplay. Additionally, it’s a good idea to limit the number of assets and layers on the map to further improve performance.