So, you’re looking to prowl the streets of Doskvol? Lurk through the halls of Scurlock Manor? Go on the flashback-riddled heists that define a well-run game of Blades in the Dark?
Blades in the Dark, written by John Harper and published by Evil Hat games, is one of the best regarded in the TTRPG scene. Jam-packed with opportunities for sinister character development, edge-of-your-seat scores, and gut-wrenching losses, it’s no wonder there’s so many pining to play it.
One problem, though — you’re having trouble finding anybody to play Blades in the Dark with. While popular, Blades in the Dark is no Dungeons & Dragons. As well, its more informal and episodic style means that playing groups can be less cohesive, or frequent, than your desire for excellent roleplay demands! So, where can you find a group with which to play Blades in the Dark online?
You might consider at first going to an online LFG forum like the r/bladesinthedark. Unfortunately, while a Reddit community can be welcoming, the Blades in the Dark subreddit is not particularly active, and you’re always running a risk when playing with internet strangers of all kinds of shenanigans. The most common problem being, of course, that the game just never happens.
Fan Discords can often offer a more reliable, and stronger community. The BladesintheDark subreddit does have such a Discord, and it does have an LFG channel. However, just like with the subreddit, it may be difficult to find reliable games with competent Game Masters. Blades in the Dark is a very improv-heavy system that requires a Game Master well-versed in opportunistic roleplay to truly deliver, along with an online group willing to Yes-and their way to victory (or failure).
Another option is Roll20. Roll20 is a popular virtual tabletop for running Blades in the Dark, mainly thanks to its sheets integration and lightweight client. Roll20 also has an LFG forum and portal. Here you’re likely to find more dedicated Game Masters (if a bit old-school). It can be difficult to filter through, and you can run into the same problems of reliability and quality with the free listings.
Perhaps the best place to find a reliable Blades in the Dark group online, then, is here on StartPlaying. There are dozens of reliable games in various timeslots, ready for you to join. The nice thing about working with a professional is that you can depend on the game to launch every week, and the well-reviewed pros at StartPlaying will streamline your experience to make sure you’re always getting a good bang for your buck.
If all else fails, it’s never too late to visit your local friendly game store and ask around! Just make sure to Push, so you don’t fail your consort check.
Salman Corbette is StartPlaying resident improv expert, offering weekly games and workshops to true roleplay connoisseurs
