Whether you want to mix up your DnD group’s usual silly antics or try a new game altogether, here are some of the best one-shots for a horror-themed session. ‍

Dungeons & Dragons gets an official crossover with Vampire: The Masquerade, DnD brings back its Villain Subclasses for another round, 5.5e magic item cards get a release date, and MemoryCore brings PlayStation 1 hits to your TTRPG table. ‍

Ravenloft, The Horrors Within previews show off stat blocks, Vampire: The Masquerade gets big updates at Gen Con, and WotC employees claim the company is sending them anti-union letters. 

For this Halloween, StartPlaying is partnering with Renegade Game Studios and Humble Bundle to bring you into the World of Darkness! StartPlaying GMs are running more Vampire the Masquerade, Werewolf the Apocalypse, and Hunter the Reckoning games from October 24-31. 

Grim has several definitions – so for the purpose of these recommendations I’m focusing on games with dire subject matter, gloomy settings, brutal consequences, and opportunities for serious roleplay.

Let’s explore top supernatural TTRPGs for hunting monsters, solving strange mysteries, and reckoning with forces beyond comprehension.

These systems allow for a player to create a character and carry said character through different adventures, with different groups and game masters, with the knowledge (or assurance) that the character will be compatible with the adventure and the content will fit the character.