Where to Play D&D Online: Platforms, Communities & Finding Groups

Three paths: Virtual Tabletops (VTTs) for mapped combat, Voice/Video + Theater of Mind for narrative play, Play-by-Post for async.

🖥️ Virtual Tabletops (Maps, Tokens, Automation)

• Roll20: Browser-based. Huge library of free/paid modules. Free tier solid. Best for "drop-in" games.
• Foundry VTT: Self-hosted (or Forge hosting $9/mo). Best automation, modules, performance. One GM buys ($50), players free.
• Fantasy Grounds Unity: Desktop app. Deep 5e/PF2e automation. Official modules. License per GM ($39/$149) or Ultimate for players.
• Owlbear Rodeo: Free, browser, no login. Maps, fog, dice, initiative. Lightweight. Great for one-shots.
• TaleSpire / AboveVTT: 3D / 2.5D visual immersion. Paid ($25-30). No automation—pure visual tabletop.
• Shard Tabletop: New, web-based, 3D, free beta. Promising.

🎤 Voice/Video + Theater of Mind (No Maps Needed)

• Discord: Standard. Voice channels, Avrae bot (dice, sheets, combat tracker), D&D Beyond integration, music bots.
• Zoom / Google Meet / Jitsi: Video + screen share (for map images). Less TTRPG tooling.
• StartPlaying / Roll20 LFG / D&D Beyond LFG: Built-in group finders.

📝 Play-by-Post / Async (Text-Based)

• RPOL.net, Myth-Weavers, RPG Crossing: Forum-based. Slow (1 post/day), deep roleplay, global timezones.
• Discord Play-by-Post: Dedicated channels, threads. Faster than forums.
• Storium: Narrative card-based system. Guided storytelling.

🔍 Finding a Group (LFG)

1. r/lfg (Reddit): Largest. Filter [Online] [5e] [Timezone].
2. Discord Servers: D&D Adventurers League, The Tavern, Looking for Group, Dungeon Masters Guild. Check #lfg channels.
3. StartPlaying.games: Paid GMs (pro quality). Filter by style, time, price.
4. Roll20 / D&D Beyond / Fantasy Grounds LFG Forums: Platform-specific.
5. Local Game Store Discord: Many run hybrid/online tables.

💡 Pro Tips

• Session 0 is mandatory: Align on schedule, safety tools, playstyle, platform.
• Test tech 15 min before Session 1: Audio, VTT permissions, dice bot.
• Use a shared calendar (Google, When2meet) for scheduling.
• Record sessions (OBS, Discord Craig bot) for absent players / memories.

Tonight's action: Join The Tavern Discord → post in #lfg with your timezone, experience, preferred style. You'll have a game this week.