Recommend A Virtual Tabletop (VTT)

CleverNickName · Mar 17, 2020

So it looks like I'm going to be moving all three of my gaming groups (5e, Call of Cthulhu) to the virtual environment effective immediately. And I bet that I'm not alone...the pandemic is forcing a lot of us to self-isolate, limit social interaction, and in some cases, outright quarantine ourselves.

Many of us have used virtual tabletops for months or years, and have lots of advice and input for the rest of us who might not have. And thus, this thread was born!

I pulled together a list of available virtual tabletops from a cursory Internet search, but I'm sure it is by no means complete. The "greatest hits" are there, like Roll20 and FantasyGrounds, and a few of the rising stars like Arkenforge and Astral...but I'm sure I missed some gems.

Please recommend your favorite tabletop gaming software, platform, app, or method to the rest of us VTT N00bs. What programs do you like to use and why? Which ones are great for beginners, and which ones are more suitable for veterans? Are there other tools that you use or recommend for video, chat, or character sheets? Help us virtual newcomers to keep our campaigns active, our players engaged, and our DMs sane in the age of COVID-19.

ninjayeti · Mar 17, 2020

Fantasy Grounds is my favorite BUT Roll20 is excellent also and may be better for your group if you are just looking for a short-term solution. (I haven't used any of the others)

Fantasy Grounds has a easier to use interface IMO. It has more stuff automated (buffs, debuffs, conditions, resistances, etc are applied automatically, e.g. if a barbarian has the Rage effect applied they will automatically add damage to melee attacks, have advantage on Str checks, and take half damage from bludgeoning, slashing and piercing damage for 10 rounds) which is great but requires a bit more of a learning curve. Fantasy Grounds doesn't have a free option, but you can get a subscription or a one time license (NOTE: FG is upgrading to a new system which is still in beta so don't buy a license at this time.) Buying the books to to use through the interface is a bit cheaper than Roll20. (Roll20 tends to charge "cover price" for the new 5E releases, while FG charges the Amazon price, plus has frequent sales.) So you will need to pay to use it upfront but it is likely cheaper if you plan to use it long term.

Roll20's interface is clunkier and it doesn't have as many automated features, but it is pretty easy to pick up. It is "freemium" so you don' t need to pay to use the basic features, although the premium stuff is only available as a subscription and the books tend to be more expensive

Good luck with whatever you choose!

CleverNickName · Mar 17, 2020

Woops, I didn't realize there was already another VTT thread (and survey) in this forum.
My bad.

Zhaleskra · Mar 18, 2020

I’m thinking of either getting Fantasy Grounds’s Ultra Pass or buying Tabletop Simulator.

Reynard · Mar 18, 2020

@Morrus should consider stickying a VTT thread for the time being. I think lots of folks are going to be looking for advice on going VTT.

CleverNickName · Mar 18, 2020

Looks like we are going to also be moving our 5E game to a virtual tabletop. So that will be Call of Cthulhu on Friday, and D&D 5E on Sunday. Are any of these VTT programs platform-specific?

LordEntrails · Mar 18, 2020

So a popularity contest? Ugh.

You could actually get some valuable feedback if you actually put something useful in your question. What do you want out of a VTT? Do you care about die rolling? Character Sheets? Automation? Cost? Architecture? There are so many things that if you just say "recommend a VTT" All you will get is a list based upon popularity and not based on anything that will actually meet your needs.

So, what do you want?

CleverNickName · Mar 18, 2020

LordEntrails said:
So a popularity contest? Ugh.

You could actually get some valuable feedback if you actually put something useful in your question. What do you want out of a VTT? Do you care about die rolling? Character Sheets? Automation? Cost? Architecture? There are so many things that if you just say "recommend a VTT" All you will get is a list based upon popularity and not based on anything that will actually meet your needs.

So, what do you want?

I'd like to know what virtual tabletop you would use, and why...you know, one that you might recommend to a newcomer to virtual gaming. (See my first post for specifics.)

Because I'm currently making do with a webcam and Hangouts, and...well, it's not passing muster.

UngainlyTitan · Mar 19, 2020

My Roll20 knowledge is several years old but I reckon it is the easiest to get going but I found it clunky on the automation front. It may have improved since.
We switched to FantasyGrounds and have never looked back. There is a learning curve and after several years I am still learning new things about the application and new features that I did not realise it had.

I did look at Maptools and it does a lot but has quite a learning curve and my players were not interested in it.

Nebulous · Mar 19, 2020

I'm getting more used to Roll20 but have only used it 4 times. I have FG too but have found the learning curve steeper than I like. It is not clicking with me, I need a damn tutor. I've been looking at the The Foundry which has a few perks that beat the pants off both Roll20 and FG but it's not integrated as smoothly with 5e yet, although in time I think it will be. By the end of the year quarantine I assume