Although it's arguably more popular than ever, Dungeons & Dragons can be a hard tabletop game to - especially for people who don't know anyone else who plays. These days, though, D&D is easily accessible thanks to online tools and a community of players who want to help. Here are some of the best ways to start up a D&D group online.
Dungeons & Dragons may have its origins at the table, but the popular franchise is great for online play as well. Now, there are even official virtual weekends hosted by expert DMs. People who live in rural areas may not be able to meet up with friends or find a hobby shop or gaming store location so easily. And, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it's certainly safer to form a group online rather than in person. Thankfully, it isn't too difficult to find a D&D group online nowadays, as long as prospective players have a secure internet connection.
If players already have friends who enjoy D&D, then forming a group online isn't much of a problem. The biggest hurdle is finding a schedule that works for everyone, as well as trying to ignore the many distractions of being on the internet. Voice and video chat apps like Discord or Google Hangouts work great - and these apps can make it feel like everyone is in the same room together, true to the classic Dungeons & Dragons experience, and can make virtual D&D play even better. Visual aids like Roll20 or Foundry Virtual Tabletop are useful for showing maps and tracking enemies and players - but aren't necessary.
Finding A D&D Group Online
Playing online can come with a few caveats, however, especially for new players. It can be overwhelming, and maybe even a little awkward, asking strangers to a newly-formed group. Thankfully, there are resources like the Looking for Players & Groups forum on the official D&D Beyond site. Creating an is completely free, and it's a great resource for finding an online group to - whether players are a beginner or a veteran. It's also a great place to find DMs, or to offer Dungeon Master services to another group.
With services like D&D Beyond, Discord, and Roll20, it's easier than ever to form a group online. Playing Dungeons & Dragons with a group online can be a great way to meet new friends, and it's especially helpful for people who don't have any local friends who play D&D. The biggest challenge, as with any tabletop RPG, might be making a D&D group that lasts. With the right tools, though, anyone can find and form a Dungeons & Dragons group online. No matter the reasons for doing so, playing D&D online is a totally viable (and possibly even preferred) method to playing the tabletop RPG in the modern age.
