TTRPG gaming tables

[MNblockhead]

I've considered it, but size is more important than bells and whistles and I don't want to pay the price of a low-end automobile for a table. My "gaming room" is more of a multifunction room. I went for function over form. I found a company in my area selling a bunch of old office furniture on Craigs list. I got a nice, heavey solid conference table. The legs can still be folded up, so that it can be moved and stored away, but it is heavy. It stays put at the main table for small groups, board games, crafts, etc. I also got a 6 good quality conference room chairs that are comfortable to sit in for a long time and are on while. They look a dated and ain't pretty, but they are solid and comfortable. Then I have to long plastic but solid fold-up banquet tables, and couple small fold up work tables. This allows me to configure my play space based on the number of people and the activity.

With most of the fancy gaming tables I've seen, I feel like I would be spending a lot of money for a nice looking table but would lose a lot of flexibility.

 

[TheShiftyKobold]

With most of the fancy gaming tables I've seen, I feel like I would be spending a lot of money for a nice looking table but would lose a lot of flexibility.

Right? Most of em ive seen are really just glorified coffee tables and cost a used car haha.

 

[Umbran]

I normally run RPGs in my dining room. I already have a dining table. If/when that table needs to be replaced, I don't expect to have the several months to a year of lead time a dedicated gaming table usually requires.

Ergo, even if a gaming table had functionality that made it worth the money, I don't expect to ever have a time when ordering one would make a lot of sense.

 

[Bunch]

I took advantage of the notes from BGG's "$150 gaming table" thread and built my own table. It's 5'x7' with a 4'x6' sunken play area that can be covered. Inset into the 4'x6' play area is a 40" TV.
It's setup to play RPGs with Fantasy Grounds running displaying maps on the inset TV. The border around the TV is large enough to have a 8.5" x11" book open in front of you.

For board games I can either run things like Vassal or Tabletop Simulator on the screen and play semi digital/semi physical for playing board games with remote players and still retain some of the physical feel.

Other times I run a cover over the whole inset area and play long playtime board games. If I we can't finish the game in one session I just put the cover over the inset area and can use the table for other things without disturbing the game in play.

I think it cost me about $350-425 to build. TV would be extra but I got it for free from someone up sizing.

 

[el-remmen]

I have a 64” x 44” dining table I got from a secondhand/ goodwill shop a few years ago that has two leaves, each one can extend it 16 inches, so at max it is 8 feet. It was pretty beat up but for $40 and the amount of use I have gotten out of it, it is more than worth it. I usually only use 1 leaf for my in-person games but have used both for certain scenarios since I use a lot of terrain.

I actually set up as DM on one long side of the table with a lectern.

Honestly, my ideal set up if I had enough room in my game room, would be a small table for everyone to sit at and then a larger table everyone can stand around for combat situations.

But anyway, myna advice is to buy a big secondhand table and then modify it yourself if you are at all handy. It will be a lot cheaper and perhaps more satisfying.

 

[Bedrockgames]

I see a lot of TTRPG gaming tables on youtube, but how many people actually buy them? We have used backdrops for like 10 years, and some of our players use props.

I think I put gaming tables in the same category as gaming chairs. Normal games and chairs always worked just fine, so I never saw the value specialized gaming furniture would bring me

 

[payn]

I want a nice wargaming high top to stand around. Something with gear stowing compartments underneath and casters for easy moving. For now, ill just keep going to the FLGS.

 

[Gorgon Zee]

I normally run RPGs in my dining room. I already have a dining table. If/when that table needs to be replaced, I don't expect to have the several months to a year of lead time a dedicated gaming table usually requires.

I also use my dining room table for both TTRPGs and for boardgames. I was replacing an oval chipboard and veneer table and wanted a solid hardwood one. So I already knew I was going to to paying out a ton.

Overall, very happy I did so. When I ran games with miniatures I would regularly set up scenes during the week and then cover them over so we could eat on the table, revealing them for game nights. Now, I use it mostly for long boardgames. I think I’ve had Frosthaven in the table fro over a year now.

Given I run fewer games requiring minis now, if it was just for RPGs, I wouldn’t recommend it. But I am absolutely sure I’d never had played as much Gloom/Frost Haven if I’d had to tear up/down the set up every time we played!

 

[el-remmen]

I want a nice wargaming high top to stand around. Something with gear stowing compartments underneath and casters for easy moving. For now, ill just keep going to the FLGS.

That is part of my ideal set up.

 

[R_J_K75]

I have a 64” x 44” dining table I got from a secondhand/ goodwill shop a few years ago that has two leaves, each one can extend it 16 inches, so at max it is 8 feet. It was pretty beat up but for $40

In 2008 I went to Amvets and there was a 4' x 8' table for sale. I paid $27 for it and put it in a spare room. We used it to play on for quite some years but now there's only a few of us so it's just easier to play in the living room on a Lifetime folding table.