Introduction
Tabletop RPGs are games like Dungeons and Dragons, where a group typically has a "Game Master" (GM, can also be called a Dungeon Master/DM) to drive the story and create encounters for the players as they progress on some sort of journey. Players will have a character that they keep track of on a "character sheet" that lists their abilities, stats, items, and various other details depending on the system they're playing; this is why tabletop gaming is also called "pen and paper RPGs." Actions and progression are typically determined by dice; instead of a player simply saying "I do this" and it happening, the dice determine if they succeed or fail at a task they are trying.

RPGs typically come in two forms, freeform or guided. Freeform RPGs allow the players to progress and travel as they see fit, and the GM will create encounters and situations along the way depending on what the players choose to do. This often allows for more character progression and interaction, although can still include a fair amount of conflict. Guided RPGs usually follow a specific story, often from an adventure book or the GM's own story. Usually these involve more linear adventures, where the players are sent on tasks and must attempt to complete them. This usually involves more combat or challenges, and less character progression (although it can depend on the GM!).

Systems*
Dungeons and Dragons: Probably the system most people will be familiar with, if only just by hearing its name, and one of the most popular. It's gone through several editions, with 5th Edition being the latest release, although a campaign can be run in any edition. 3.5 Edition is probably the most popular of the editions and the oldest to be used regularly still.

Pathfinder: Also called D&D 3.75. It's a system that has been expanded from D&D 3.5's mechanics with lots of added content as it evolved. It is primarily open source, so a Pathfinder campaign can be run completely free using the online SRD.

Shadowrun: A more sci-fi type of setting, where players often do guided missions as "mercenaries for hire." Shadowrun's lore has something similar to chapters in a book, where scenarios are released every so often and players can follow them in private groups or meet up with official organizers at conventions or events to play missions. Players that do the latter can actually have their specific mission outcome be canon for the world in following releases, allowing them to shape the Shadowrun world.

Pokemon Tabletop Adventures/United: PTA/PTU are two unofficial systems for the world of Pokemon, adding trainer classes (such as Psychic and Ace Trainer) and allowing players to participate in a more open world story than what the games can offer. The two systems are similar, but have their benefits and faults. PTU came second, and solved some of the problems that PTA had with the system, but removed a lot of the depth for trainer classes. The handbooks can be found here.

Mouse Guard: Although not a system I've ever played myself, I thought it was worth mentioning given it's about mice. :P It's based on the comic series of the same name and uses the Burning Wheel system. Players take the role of a mouse in medieval style world where humans don't exist, and different animal species have developed something similar to kingdoms. It appears to be primarily mission based like Shadowrun.

Other Systems:
There are hundreds of other systems I'm not able to cover. Some are extremely popular, like Warhammer 40k or the Fate or GURPs system, and others are lesser known and sometimes unpublished systems people just came up with for others for free, such as fan games like PTA/PTU. They can be widely different, but they typically all share the same idea of having characters with some sort of stats, using dice, and having a person running the game for the players.

Discussion
So what's your favorite system? Do you have any funny or epic stories from campaigns you have been? Ever had that one person who just drives you nuts to play with? Or maybe you've never played before and are just here out of curiosity? If that's the case, feel free to ask questions! You can also try to find a group here!

Players/Game Masters
Here's a list of people who are interested in tabletop gaming and may or may not be interested in finding a game.
Format is: Name | Player/GM/Both | Favored Systems (including editions if picky) | Looking for Group?

• Saelus | Player | PTA/PTU, D&D 3.5, Pathfinder | Looking

Also, here, have a comic:


*If I got anything wrong with the descriptions just let me know. Some of those systems I haven't encountered very much!

umg, Look at this :

Andrutaiubi a dit :

umg, Look at this :

Uh, that's just how standard dice work... they drew facing the perspective the highest number on each die except the d4...