In the old days, the only way to hear a Wookie at your gaming table was a Chewbacca impression contest with your friends. Now that online games are becoming the norm, all you need is a soundboard and about 30 seconds of searching. But choosing which Virtual Tabletop (VTT) to play it on can feel a bit daunting. Never fear, because we’re here to help, and also because fear leads to anger, and anger leads to… Well, you know the rest. 

While there are several gaming systems out there to dive into everyone’s favorite galaxy far, far away, the most popular one currently is the Star Wars RPG by Fantasy Flight Games, which makes it one of the most popular sci-fi TTRPGs in the world. There are actually three core rulebooks, namely Edge of Empire, Age of Rebellion, and Force and Destiny, but this article will apply to all of them. 

One of the most notable features in SWRPG is the proprietary dice set built to handle things like narrative developments, threats, triumphs, etc, which FFG eventually developed into the Genesys universal gameplay system. Character sheets need fields for strain, wounds, critical injuries, and obligation/duty/morality tracking. And the Destiny Pool––the eternal push and pull between the light and dark side––needs to be easily accessible by everyone at the table.

In other words, not every VTT is well-equipped to handle Star Wars RPG out of the box. Let’s take a look at the options so you can find the right Star Wars RPG game for you.

Foundry

Foundry VTT has established itself as the premiere option for Star Wars RPG campaigns thanks to its robust customization options and dedicated community support. It has an unofficial module that rolled out about a year ago and gets updated fairly regularly. This supports things like character sheet integration, visual dice, shared Destiny point tracking, and (like several entries on this list) is fully compatible with the popular OggDude's Character Generator, a staple of the community. Plus, you get all the bells and whistles of Foundry’s already excellent VTT maps and automation. It requires a one-time purchase of $50 by the GM, with players able to connect for free through a web browser. You may find it has a bit of a learning curve in terms of technical setup, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be shaving parsecs off your Kessel Run in no time. 

Roll20

As one of the most established web-based options, Roll20 brings its own strengths into the arena despite the fact that it lacks a dedicated package like Foundry. Basic access is free, but the pro tier ($10/month) is required for API access, which enables the special dice rolling scripts needed to run SWRPG. Some users have also complained about significant lag when rolling dice, as well as a somewhat clunky integration process for character sheets. The main advantage here is familiarity with a tried and true VTT, and of course the trustworthy battlemap system and massive asset library, which includes plenty of Star Wars themes and tokens. Also, some GMs use it merely for a hassle-free visual and roll dice via some other website, app, or Discord bot. 

Tabletop Simulator

Tabletop Simulator is as awesome as it is a little overwhelming. It’s a Steam app available for around $10-$20 per person depending on the sale or bundle, and mimics an entire gaming table for players to sit at (with apologies for not giving a trigger warning before using the word “mimic”). The 3D environment lets players pick up and move their tokens, roll dice that tumble across the table, and manipulate cards and other components right there in-game. The SWRPG community has also created numerous mods to enhance the experience:

• Star Wars RPG Assets by Marlow 
• Star Wars Miniature Creator for custom character figures, also by Marlow
• SWRPG Table - Spitfire Edition with maps and character sheets
• SWRPG Automated Dice Tray that spawns, rolls, and tabulates narrative dice 

Last but not least, while there is a learning curve, the maps can look simply stunning. It won’t have the same ease of automation as some of the other picks, but with a bit of elbow grease, this is potentially the most immersive option on this list. 

Fantasy Grounds

Another OG of the VTT family, Fantasy Grounds is a powerful tool with some strong fan-made options for SWRPG. This is thanks primarily to a single user, johniba, who has made their Star Wars RPG (FFG) and Genesys RPG (FFG) modules available for free. Fantasy Grounds itself is a paid app, with multiple tiers running the gamut from a low cost monthly subscription to the $149 Ultimate license as a one-time purchase. This allows the full Star Wars RPG experience, with character sheet support, visual dice, automated calculations, and so on. While it may not feel as slick as something like Foundry, it is a tried and true, very capable option, especially if you’re already familiar with its somewhat daunting user interface.

RPG Sessions

If you’re looking for a simpler option built specifically for the Genesys systems, RPG Sessions might be the choice for you. It’s free to use, with optional Patreon support that grants early access to new features. It functions either through a web interface or as a Discord bot, making it highly accessible with little to no setup involved. While it doesn't offer the full map and token functionality of other VTTs, it excels at character-driven, theater-of-the-mind gameplay, the bread and butter of SWRPG. Create a character sheet online (or generate one with OggDude’s generator) and just start playing the story. If you’re looking for a nuts-and-bolts option (waves hand mystically) this is the VTT you’re looking for. 

Dice 'n Discord

Yes, you can mashup Star Wars and D&D, assuming the latter stands for “Dice-roller and Discord.” Many groups find this method especially appropriate for a Genesys game due to the system’s heavily story-driven mechanics. In other words, because the gameplay often de-emphasizes the need for a map and tokens, this lightweight option lets you focus on the narrative first and foremost. If necessary, toss up a visual on a free VTT like Roll20 or Owlbear, and this might be all you need. There are several good options for digital dice-rollers, particularly Discord bots like D1-C3 by SkyJedi and the one from RPG Sessions. Although, in this case, it might be more appropriate to call them Discord droids. Eh? Eh?

So, Which One?

If you’re having trouble deciding, most groups these days opt for Foundry. The second-most popular choice is some version of RPG Sessions, whether through a browser or the Discord bot, perhaps paired with the VTT of your choice for running encounters. Whichever you choose will depend on how much you want to focus on theater of the mind vs. tactical combat, and whichever will allow the most immersive experience for your and your group’s playstyle. And, of course, games featuring all of these options can be found on our dedicated Star Wars RPG by Fantasy Flights Games page. May your critical hits be plentiful and your system strain be few!

‍

‍Paul is an author and forever DM with a traditionally published sci-fi novel on the way. He’s a fan of all things narrative, especially when it involves dice and a lot of math. Find him on Instagram discussing the general state of the world.