Some of the best D&D alternatives you can play right now
There’s no doubt that, when it comes to tabletop role-playing games, Dungeons & Dragons is at the top of the heap. But it’s not the only game in town, with great D&D alternatives popping up every year.
Fan and player dissatisfaction around Wizards of the Coast only increased interest in new and different tabletop games, and there are quite a few that fit the bill. After reviewing some of the best lists of D&D alternatives, we’ve got a few more recommendations for your next game night.
Which Dungeons & Dragons alternatives should you play?
There are a lot of great alternatives to Dungeons & Dragons to consider when sizing up the best tabletop games on the market. Some are old and some are new, but all of them offer something different.
Pathfinder is one of the most frequently cited examples of a D&D alternative. Pathfinder was originally created specifically to offer an alternative experience, based on the type of play its creators thought was lacking in Dungeons & Dragons.
While D&D has been significantly streamlined over the years, Pathfinder is a more complex game. For some, its complexity may go so far as to make it seem esoteric. But for those who appreciate great depth in their tabletop experience, Pathfinder could be the answer.
Starfinder is another tabletop game that offers significantly more complexity than D&D. This is no surprise, given that Starfinder is made by Paizo, the same company behind the more advanced Pathfinder game.
While Pathfinder presents a more traditional fantasy setting, Starfinder is a science fiction game, giving players an alternative not only in function but also in form and setting.
Not every D&D alternative is dramatically more complex compared to Dungeons & Dragons. Some games are even further streamlined, providing a quicker and easier experience for players. Monster of the Week is one such example.
While Starfinder and Pathfinder layer on the complexity, Monster of the Week brings it down a notch. With six-sided dice as opposed to the traditional twenty-sided die, Monster of the Week simplifies situational outcomes into only three categories. That helps make it easier for players to move through encounters, and it also makes it easier for new players to pick things up.
Miniatures bring another tabletop angle for players
There are still more options for players looking to branch out a bit further from the traditional tabletop experience. Miniatures are central to many tabletop games, and none of those games are more popular than Warhammer 40,000. Set in the distant future and featuring a bleak sci-fi setting, Warhammer allows players to enjoy a strategic tabletop experience while also collecting and painting miniature figures.
And it’s far from the only game of its type. Battletech is a game featuring armored mechanized warriors, similar to those seen in popular anime like Mobile Suit Gundam.
While collecting and decorating miniatures is a fun addition to the experience, it does also bring with it the potential for increased costs. Miniatures aren’t always cheap. They can also be difficult to travel with, something to consider if you’re going to be playing in tabletop settings away from your at-home living room.
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