Finding a Tales of the Valiant game to play in can feel like searching for a hidden treasure in a vast, untamed wilderness. Whether you're a seasoned roleplayer or a newcomer to the world of tabletop adventures, the struggle to find the right group, setting, or even game master can often seem like an endless challenge.

More and more players are discovering the exciting, dangerous, world of the Shadowdark RPG. the 2024 ENNIE-award-winning roleplaying game by Kelsey Dionne. Shadowdark combines old-school aesthetics (lots of tables) with modern, 5E D&D sensibilities (easy d20 mechanics, for instance). If you’re among those who have found themselves drawn to the dark and gritty world of Shadowdark or have been browsing games on StartPlaying Games' Shadowdark listings page, then you might be wondering what kind of character is going to give you the best chance of survival.

​Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) offer unique environments that help foster deep and meaningful relationships among participants. Playing together brings us together, and the play in these types of games emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and communication, all of which are foundational elements in building strong interpersonal connections.​

If you have heard of The One Ring 2e and are looking for a group to start playing, you’ve already fought half the battle, and I applaud you. Taking a risk on a newish game that barely anyone knows about shows that you are the perfect person to begin this journey.

Dungeons & Dragons. The world’s most famous roleplaying game, and one thousands of people play every day. Most usually played in person around a table, D&D is considered a game of imagination, but also one of pen, paper, and dice where many of your moves will require luck to determine just how good you are at it.

When you think about tabletop role-playing games, your mind likely drifts to epic quests, fantastical world-building, and brave adventurers battling mighty evils. But behind every critical hit or devastating fumble, there's a lucky roll on our favorite die. There is a growing movement of artisans pouring heart and skill into creating the very dice that shape our adventures. Not only are the results functional, but stunning and innovative as well. These dice are handcrafted, unique works of art, carefully sculpted and designed by artisans who are as passionate about their craft as the players who roll them. 

In a strange yet familiar world of an alternate 1980s, Tales from the Loop provides a unique nostalgic setting for stories about technological secrets, alien encounters, and algebra homework. Large robot laborers tow Oldsmobiles. The arcade neon glows in the shadow of the particle accelerator’s coolant towers. You and your friends are kids in this unremarkable town but will soon be wrapped up in the wild, exciting mysteries hidden below the surface. One glaring question remains; who are you?

The top 5 places you can find a place to play the Paizo’s Popular Sci-fi TTRPG Game.