If you play TTRPGs, you were probably introduced via a fantasy RPG. Then, depending on who you play with, someone probably suggested something gritty or something chill that emphasizes roleplay over combat. But you’re here because you wanted something different. You want to explore the world lurking just behind our own reality. Not necessarily dark, but mysterious. Or maybe you do want a game that plays with the concept of sanity. So let’s explore top supernatural TTRPGs for hunting monsters, solving strange mysteries, and reckoning with forces beyond comprehension.  

Monster Of The Week

It’s right there in the name – Monster of the Week is a fantastic template for episodic monster hunting games. The game is mostly built for tales of humans vs. the supernatural like Buffy or X Files. But you can also play as people that suddenly get turned into monsters or who are possessed. It’s more of a storytelling game than a combat game, with characters comprised of a selection of moves that focus on pushing the story forward. This makes it a great game for learning to play TTRPGs, or transitioning away from combat-heavy systems like DnD. 

Triangle Agency

There’s plenty of TTRPGs themed around classic supernatural fare like vampires and ghosts. Triangle Agency is a more recent entry that hones in on the idea of anomalous phenomenon. Think SCP, cryptids, or the video game Control. The default setting is a hilarious mix of satirizing corporate structures and creating bizarre characters fused with anomalies. This means it tends to lean more into comedy than other games on this list, but there’s definitely potential to explore grim topics if your table is willing. 

Blades In The Dark

You might look at that name and think “Isn’t that a heist game?” Yes, yes it is. But if you’ve played Blades in the Dark, you know that its setting has strong supernatural elements. One Playbook, the Whisper, can even tap into those elements to summon and control spirits. So while this might not be your first choice if you want a supernatural investigation campaign, BitD does have the vibes. It is also a great choice if your players don’t like the powerlessness that often comes with the horror genre. BitD is less about escaping the supernatural and more about mounting a resistance. 

Vampire: The Masquerade

This is the most popular TTRPG to play if you want to be a supernatural entity. Vampire encourages lengthy roleplay sessions and going deep into what motivates your character. Roleplay enthusiasts can really sink their teeth into the dramatic push/pull of dark urges vs. the need to stay secret. The game exists in a shared universe with Werewolf: the Apocalypse and Hunter: the Reckoning should you want to explore other perspectives within the supernatural underbelly. 

Monsterhearts 2

Like Vampire above, Monsterhearts 2 puts you in the role of a supernatural being. But unlike Vampire, Monsterhearts 2 takes place in high school. This opens the door to a vastly different set of challenges and roleplay opportunities. Sessions often balance the drama of school dances and dropping grades with the discovery of one’s monster body and the teen angst of coping with your new reality. For that latter aspect, Monsterhearts 2 is heralded as a great tool for telling queer stories. Of course, there’s plenty of opportunity for laughs as you can really play up the high school tropes.

City Of Mist

We’ve seen a lot of undead so far, but what about other entities in the supernatural sphere? City of Mist broadens the scope to include classical gods, fey, and monsters of myth. It also hits different from other games here with its noir mystery setup. Player characters are legends reborn into the bodies of average people. This manifests in the form of demigod-like abilities. Using these powers, the party must band together to root out corruption in their city and expose the sinister forces at its heart. 

:Otherscape

Closely related to City of Mist is :Otherscape – in fact, Otherscape uses the Mist gameplay engine. It also shares similar themes of the supernatural influencing a modern city. The major difference is that Otherscape takes place in a cyberpunk future, which opens the door for a lot of cool character designs. The occult forces work out in the open in Megacity as technology blurs the line between what’s real and what isn’t. Characters, likewise, wield mythical powers and advanced weaponry together in an action-packed ride through a unique take on the future. 

Call Of Cthulhu

Cthulhu mythos is its own massive branch of the supernatural, and Call of Cthulhu is the game to play in that branch. CoC is actually more popular in Japan than Dungeons & Dragons, speaking to the appeal this game has. It’s a great system for capturing the prolonged effect exposure to the supernatural would have on the average mind. Player characters rarely walk away whole… if they walk away at all. Safety tools are even more important than usual with CoC as the conversation around madness in TTRPGs has shifted in the last decade. 

Candela Obscura

Fans of Critical Role will be familiar with Candela Obscura, as it was created by their Darrington Press publishing company and performed on their show multiple times. All everyone else needs to know is that Candela Obscura takes the paranormal investigator theme to the early nineteenth century. This puts it slightly earlier than the 1920s seen in Call of Cthulhu and gives it more of a seance inspired vibe. Characters belong to a mysterious organization that protects a normal city from various supernatural forces that invade it. 

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Sergio Sólorzano is the best Dungeon Master in the USA (according to a Wizards of the Coast competition, anyway). He loves minis and terrain but also goes all-in on improv!