Which is the best virtual tabletop to run older versions of D&D? Let’s say a version like 3/3.5th Edition. Well, look no further; here are some of the best ones.
Whether you want a VTT that will offer you digital character sheets with integrated rules all in one place or one that offers you just a space to show your players maps with custom character tokens, here we talk about what is available out there on the market.
So, let’s start with the fully immersive Foundry VTT.
Foundry VTT
This VTT will make the running of your D&D 3rd edition easier by having all the rules and some of the modules available all in one place.
It will show digital character sheets, NPC stats and all the 3rd edition rules, all on screen linked to your maps in beautiful detail.
It also then includes animated spells and other effects with space to add soundtracks and music to your scenes.
That said, you will need to have at least a slight knowledge of the use of Foundry VTT, which can include some form of computer coding, and your players will need the hardware to be able to run the platform on their devices.
There is of course a cost to all of this you will need to purchase Foundry VTT and then find the add-on packages.
As for other VTTs that specifically support D&D 3/3.5e, that is about it, but then there are many others you could use that are simple enough to just add your own maps, images and custom tokens too.
Roll20
Roll20 is another well-used VTT that offers a digital space for you to gather your players where they can use their custom-made digital character sheets and for the GM to add maps of the game for the players to see and use; you can also bring in your own custom token packs too.
There are some fan-based add-ons of digital D&D 3/3.5 edition character sheets, but you will need some skill in finding these and bringing them into the system.
Fantasy Grounds
Fantasy Grounds is another excellent VTT but again does not have an official link to the older D&D 3/3.5 edition; there are some fan-based add-ons out there if you know how to find them and then add them to this system also.
For a basic game style where all you wish is for your players to be able to see maps and images and move their custom tokens around, you have Quest Portal or Owlbear Rodeo.
Both of these VTTs are very simple to use; no coding knowledge is needed, and the ‘how to use’ can be picked up in minutes.
Quest Portal
You will need to create your own digital character sheets for D&D 3/3.5 edition for this platform and access to the rules systems for that game in either a PDF format or in hard copies that you and your players will need to acquire to play the game.
Owlbear Rodeo
Similarly, for this VTT, the GM and the players will need to create digital or PDF character sheets and the rules required to play.
Both these simpler platforms offer space for digital map uploads and custom tokens where your players can interact with the maps and scenes during the gameplay.
They both have simple drag-and-drop options to bring in digital maps that you can purchase or find on Google from free creators or at online stores.
There are other simple VTT platforms out there; a comprehensive list can be found here:
Alternatively, why not join a game on StartPlaying and try out some of the different VTTTs used by their excellent pro GMs for D&D 3/3.5 edition?
Bo is a professional GM running games on StartPlaying with over 40 years’ experience in the fantasy realms of tabletop role-playing games, and he uses VTTTs daily to run his games digitally online.
