Why settle for a fantasy video game, when Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) drops players and their characters to a world of their own design? With D&D 5e, players can create characters of an assortment of backgrounds and Classes. On top of that, they can save the world (or maybe rule it) using diplomacy, combat, and their own mix of wild shenanigans.

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However, for parties that prefer their TTRPG sessions in person, playing D&D online with today's physical restrictions can be a challenge. Thankfully, physical restrictions shouldn't have to derail an exciting campaign. Parties can easily transition to playing D&D online with the right set of tools.

10 Try Dungeons & Dragons Online

DDO - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Unlike other MMOs – especially games that carry the D&D name – Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) serves as the closest counterpart to an actual D&D video game. At its core, DDO functions and appears as a classic fantasy MMO, with the added bonus of constant dice rolls. And that's just the beginning.

Lore fans will praise DDO not just for meaningful quest design, but even narration throughout levels. Moreover, the existing Multiclass and Reincarnation Systems actively encourage players to keep replaying from scratch to gain special bonuses. Not to mention, all core gameplay mechanics are based on D&D. Players who are shy to find a friend group but want to experience D&D can try DDO to begin their deep dive into the TTRPG.

9 Try Neverwinter Online

Neverwinter Online - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Whereas DDO provides players with a digital version of the tabletop experience, Neverwinter Online focuses more on the action. Newcomers and D&D savants looking for visual inspiration might want to try this action-oriented MMO. Unlike DDONeverwinter allows players to take a more proactive role in combat.

Players can also precisely control their attacks and aim their skills in real time, giving them a more immersive action experience. Characters can actively run and jump around the map, evading attacks whenever necessary. Granted, this isn't the typical tabletop experience, but it's still a great way to feed the imagination with visual ideas for a tabletop campaign.

8 Grab All Necessary Data From D&D Beyond

Dungeons and Dragons Beyond - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

While D&D Beyond isn't exactly a direct way to play the game, it's perhaps the next best thing to an online information repository in terms of D&D. Officially created by Wizards of the Coast itself, D&D Beyond is the premier digital source of information for D&D 5e. The software contains up-to-date information on the latest rules and even monsters for players to look up. Moreover, it supports the means for players to store and create their own characters.

Unfortunately, the best features of D&D Beyond are blocked behind a paywall. However, players can still get a decent experience with its free version. Players can easily use D&D Beyond as their character sheet, regardless of the method they use to facilitate play.

7 Boot Up The Conference Call

Conference Call - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Holding a conference call via  Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or even Facebook Messenger can help facilitate a decent roleplaying experience. The occasional video format can accommodate for whenever players have to roll, and the DM can make an effort for screen sharing if they need to facilitate grid-based combat. Not to mention, Dicebot for Facebook Messenger is precisely designed to help with dice rolls!

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However, a recommended approach for the conference call would be playing via Theater of the Mind. This gameplay format focuses less on the grid and more on storytelling. It's great for roleplay-heavy experiences; still, being face-to-face with fellow players never hurts.

6 Get Discord For Basic Multimedia Needs

Discord - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Discord's architecture can support multimedia play for any party. At its core, the audio and/or video call feature alone will support active dialogue between DMs and the party. Additionally, cooperative screen sharing can also help add a visual component to the experience. Even the various channels in a server can accommodate out-of-character chat, in-character chat, and even a repository for notes and resources.

Discord's support for various third-party systems can make it the perfect middleman for both small-scale and large-scale campaigns. Its internal dice bots can already facilitate casual D&D. Parties can also use Discord for extra support during large endeavors through virtual tabletop systems.

5 Get Minimalist With Astral Tabletop

Astral Tabletop - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Players who want a less complicated take on a virtual tabletop might appreciate the minimalist take of Astral Tabletop. Like its contemporaries, Astral Tabletop is a virtual tabletop tool that parties can access via their browsers. They also have an accessible way of streamlining information management and creating maps that won't break immersion.

In fact, their minimalist interface makes it much easier for players to "get into the game" without being burdened by a clunky interface. Its unobtrusive way of integrating mechanics in chats and windows can make D&D a more comfortable experience online.

4 Go Developer Friendly With Foundry

Foundry Virtual Tabletop - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Compared to other more robust yet technical virtual tabletops, Foundry Virtual Tabletop may be an attractive option for the less tech-savvy. Despite its bare-bones system, Foundry is an accessible browser-based software. Its dev-friendly approach allows DMs to upload information about their campaign easily, and import maps and tokens much faster. It also has an accessible approach to maps.

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Whereas other virtual tabletops may focus on flashy animations and pretty design, Foundry really focuses on a straightforward presentation. Essentially, Foundry provides a browser-based map and info dump for DMs — the players do the rest.

3 Support Other Gadgets With Tableplop

Tableplop - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Who says online D&D should be played through PCs alone? Thanks to Tableplop, parties can remove the inconvenience of clunky desktops and laptops, taking their games to their gadgets. At its core, Tableplop functions pretty much like a typical virtual tabletop. However, it allows DMs not only to import maps and tokens, but also store information in a neat, visually-friendly interface. It even has paint tools for crude map drawing!

Moreover, Tableplop can support other gadgets. Players can access Tableplop using their tablets and mobile platforms, allowing for an extremely immersive experience. This is a great way for players who don't have access to PCs to enjoy online D&D.

2 Boot Fantasy Grounds For A Virtual Tabletop

Fantasy Grounds - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Parties with access to Steam can get Fantasy Grounds, boot it up, and play the closest thing there is to physical D&D in a virtual tabletop. Fantasy Grounds supports playing TTRPGs from the desktop. It features a fantasy-friendly interface and intuitive design flow, making it a great fit for parties who want to feel immersed in their online D&D (and other TTRPGs).

Unlike aforementioned ways to play, Fantasy Grounds provides a comprehensive way of integrating the PC to the TTRPG experience. Instead of relying solely on software to play D&D, Fantasy Grounds acts more as a repository of information. Players more across maps, while looking into various details in an accessible menu to the right. Fantasy Grounds gives players the feeling of looking down on a map in the real world, while holding onto their notes.

1 Use Roll20 For Mainstream Full Virtual Tabletop

Roll20 - Best Ways To Play Dungeons and Dragons Online

Anyone who's heard of playing D&D online will likely want to try using Roll20. Unlike other TTRPG options, Roll20 is specifically designed to accommodate multiplayer setups. At its core, Roll20 facilitates not just communication across parties, but also character management (for players) and game facilitation (for DMs).

In addition to its iconic virtual board option, Roll20 also boasts a full-blown campaign system where DMs can add various pieces of information to maps, and even integrate their own tokens into the experience. It does take time to learn how to run Roll20 efficiently; however, it's well worth the learning curve.

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