What do you do when you love tabletop games but don’t have the time or energy to go out and meet your group for an in-person session? Why, you turn to Discord — which has pretty much everything you need for a good game! Here’s how I use Discord to play tabletop games with friends…
1 Creating Discord Servers for Tabletop Groups
If you asked me why Discord stands out in a sea of digital communication tools, I’d have to say there are several reasons. Not only does it offer a robust and easy-to-use interface that supports text, voice, and video chats, it is also flexible. Anybody can join at no cost to them and create customized servers that make it easier than ever to mimic in-person meetings.
If you are someone just getting started with Discord, you will want to start by setting up your own server. It is as easy as downloading the app, registering an account, and creating a server. Then you need to invite your fellow adventurers, set up server channels, create player roles and all the other fun bits that come with creating a server.
Another thing that I really love is how easy it is to use voice and video channels for easy communication between groups, all without having to pay a single cent. Being able to speak with and see my group real-time helps make the whole thing feel a bit more like a traditional game night, even if I am snug in my bed or sitting at the kitchen table after cleaning up from dinner.
There are also so many ways to use the text channels, including having dedicated maps and handouts channels. I am someone who thrives on being able to see what is going on, so being able to share character references, maps, and more in the little moments between sessions is super helpful for picturing the journey clearly. Plus, if something is really important, I can just pin it to the channel for the entire group to see at any time.
2 Using Discord’s Roll20 Integration
Roll20 is a dynamic platform for online tabletop gaming that makes the experience so, so much better. It features digital character sheets, maps, and integrated dice rollers catered pretty much to whatever tabletop game you want to play.
I often use it in my own games as a way to help integrate more visual features, maps being the biggest, so that my players can feel more immersed in what is going on. They get to see their characters moving in pretty much real-time, or I can integrate enemy appearances, which makes the whole adventure feel way more “real”.
If you want to integrate Roll20 into Discord you will need to do so by hopping into a voice chat, then locating the rocket ship button for Activities. This will bring up a variety of activities — simply look for Roll20 and link to your account. This allows updates and rolls to be shared directly in your Discord channels, merging actions with what is going on at any given moment.
3 Integrating with D&D Beyond
D&D Beyond is another big name in gaming, though more focused on strictly Dungeons and Dragons rather than other games. It lets you manage character sheets and find game information, including on things like enemies or items, effortlessly.
In fact, this is the integration I first started using before any of the others on this list, and I still have most of my character sheets on the app. It also allows you to connect in campaigns and pulls straight from the various books to help streamline character creation. That means less time spent going through your manual and more time getting your players into all sorts of fun.
To integrate D&D Beyond with Discord, you’ll need to link your D&D Beyond accounts to Discord and have already installed bots like Avrae or DiceCloud. You can get the API keys through the D&D Beyond online site then input them into your bot’s command system.
4 Adding Bots
Discord bots like Avrae can streamline game mechanics by automating dice rolls, character management, and initiative tracking. Other bots can track hit points, move NPCs, and even trigger sound effects, which I find extremely helpful when trying to GM a game and I don’t feel like trying to play a sound effect on my phone while also describing what is going on.
To start, check out Discord’s bot list and look for one that has high reviews and does what you need it to do. From there, invite the bot to your server and learn the commands. Most bots nowadays come with an easy-to-follow list that becomes second nature after a while.
The ability to play TTRPGs on Discord has been an absolute game-changer, at least for people like myself and many others around the world. It has allowed our gaming to evolve, as well as our game tables. And while Discord may not be a physical tabletop, it compensates with huge potential and a portfolio of innovative features that make playing so much easier.
So, gather your party and your bots and find out for yourself why Discord may just be the king when it comes to playing TTRPGs online. And who knows? Your next great campaign might just be a click away.
