Looking for the right place to play Pathfinder 2e? It can be tougher than it sounds. Although PF2e is one of the most popular TTRPGs around, finding a play group that’s at the right time, has the right dynamic, and actually shows up for more than two sessions, can be quite difficult!

Before you start worrying about critical failing on your next LFG, let’s take a look at your options. Unlike Paizo’s excellently balanced classes, not all websites are created equal. We’ve ranked the most common options from worst to best. And, since it’s the internet, we’ve made it a countdown.

Without further ado, let’s peek at those options:

6. Facebook

Ah, Facebook, land of uncles heart-reacting to AI images and mom groups ready to start a civil war over which pudding brand is appropriate. You may look at your feed and wonder why it’s already come to this. Surely you’re not so desperate as to use the world’s largest social network for social networking?

Well, there are a few perks to using Facebook. For one thing, if you’re feeling isolated, you can still seek out relatively local groups. Maybe a few can even become friends in time, or you can arrange an eventual meeting at the local game shop. You can trade minis and notes and make hot gossip about your small-town Game Master’s latest dalliances into the world of romance.

Ok, let’s be frank. You’re probably looking at this list because you have no interest in trawling through Gen X memes for some diamonds in the rough to play Pathfinder 2e online. So let’s move on.

5. r/Pathfinder_lfg

The Pathfinder LFG subreddit has players looking for games at many different times. Unlike the wasteland that is Facebook, you’re liable to find folks here a bit more dedicated to the craft, and who are specifically interested in playing online.

There are a few issues you’ll note scrolling through, though. For one thing, most of the posts are from players looking for games, and not groups or GMs looking for somebody else to join their online PF2e game. You could post a blurb about yourself and cross your fingers, of course, but you’ll probably run into the other problem: it’s not a particularly active space for groups and GMs to be searching for players. This is an issue across LFG subreddits, unfortunately.

4. Roll20

Roll20’s LFG directory lists a lot of games, and you can filter by system to only find Pathfinder 2e games. Even better, listings are posted by Game Masters looking for players! Great news, all you need to do is apply and you’re sure to find yourself in a weekly campaign right away.

There’s just one problem, which you may notice if you used the search function for only Pathfinder 2e games: there aren’t that many listed. Roll20 is a popular website for TTRPGS, so why so few PF2e games?

The reason is that Pathfinder 2e games advertised on Roll20 must be run on Roll20. Any seasoned GM or hardened player will tell you Roll20 is the last place you’d want to run PF2e, with the heavy compendium usage and arithmetic it requires. Most GMs prefer to run their Pathfinder games on Foundry VTT or Fantasy Grounds United. And, to be quite frank, you probably want a GM who knows enough to know to avoid Roll20 for their PF2e game.

3. Demiplane

Demiplane is where we start to see a step-up in the LFG space. Demiplane offers a more curated experience in finding game masters for its specific systems, with Pathfinder 2e being no exception. Although it is not brimming with options for start times, you’ll be able to browse through a decent few choices.

Unfortunately, the Demiplane LFG is littered with games with titles such as “sad”, “test”, and “a”, so you may find yourself struggling to find a game that is actively being run. Hope you’re ready to send out blanket application messages like you’re applying for rentals on Craigslist!

2. Pathfinder RPG Discord

Now we’re getting somewhere! The Pathfinder RPG Discord has some of the most dedicated players and GMs populating it. Aside from being a decent LFG space, it’s also a great place to get advice and expertise on the specifics of Pathfinder Second Edition.

To find a game, just join, choose your roles, and go to the #lfg section. You’ll find lots of games on offer, and lots of players and groups looking for a new friend. While finding something in the right timeslot can still be difficult, you’ll have better luck finding a quality Pathfinder 2e crew here than any of the previous options.

Something to keep in mind, however, is that many of the options in the #lfg are highly competitive. You may quickly become disheartened, as you click on post after post and find dozens of replies and applications. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some place where you could get a guaranteed spot when you apply…?

‍1. StartPlaying

Alright, we’re probably a little bit biased, but it does stand to reason that StartPlaying is the best place to find a consistent, quality group to play Pathfinder 2e online with. For one thing, there’s a huge variety of well-reviewed, professional Game Masters in many different timeslots.

Each one has games they have to run consistently — they’re professionals after all! The key to having a dedicated and well-rounded group to play with is consistency. If you’re meeting every week, and you’re playing under the auspices and supervision of somebody who’s guaranteed to know what they’re doing, you’re going to be borderline guaranteed to have found the right group for playing Pathfinder 2e.

‍

Regardless of how you find your PF2e group, the best thing you can do to make sure it stays your group is to play consistently, be friendly, and have fun. Good luck hunting, and roll safe!

‍

Salman Corbette is StartPlaying resident improv expert, offering weekly games and workshops to true roleplay connoisseurs.