Get in the Trunk

Are you just getting into D&D? You most likely already know the hardest part of playing Dungeons & Dragons isn't defeating a Red Dragon or figuring out what kind of bonuses should apply when picking a lock. The actual "Big Bad Evil Guy" of any tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) is scheduling and finding a reliable group. Whether you are brand new to the hobby, having just either discovered Critical Role or finished the last season of Stranger Things, or you are well-versed in the tabletop gaming scene, you are most likely aware that finding a group or other players is not as easy as you might’ve thought initially. Even though Dungeons & Dragons is more popular than ever, it still can feel like you are the only one interested in trying it out. We have compiled this article to try and help you find your way to your next D&D game. Quick Steps to Find a Group: 1. Create a Groupfinder player profile. 2. Define your schedule and timezone. 3. Browse open games or wait for a DM to find you. The traditional methods: forums and LFG subreddits The internet works. It works in the sense that there are others like you looking for a game to join. But navigating through all the different mediums is going to most likely feel like a chore. Reddit (r/lfg and r/LFG_Europe) The standard answer to "where to find D&D players" has historically been Reddit. The Pros: A massive volume of players. If you post a compelling game pitch as a DM, you will get dozens of applications within hours. The Cons: Because of the sheer volume, it is incredibly easy for your post to get buried. Players often find themselves filling out dozens of Google Forms without ever hearing back. Plus, formatting restrictions make it difficult to filter for specific needs like exact timezones (a massive headache for EU/Global players), Virtual Tabletop (VTT) preferences, or safety tools. Discord LFG channels Many TTRPG YouTubers, podcasters, bloggers, game systems, and communities have their own dedicated Discord servers with LFG channels to allow players to advertise their interest. The Pros: Discord is great for instant communication. You can start a chat with potential party members quickly and in real-time to see if your personalities fit before committing to an actual game night. The Cons: Discord LFG channels are essentially endless scrolling text feeds. Searching through thousands of chat messages to find a oneshot or campaign that fits your specific schedule is exhausting. The "paid vs. free" game debate Over the last few years, there has been a massive rise in "Pro DMs" hosting games on platforms where players pay per session (often $15 to $30+). If you have the budget, paid games practically guarantee that a session will actually happen, as players are financially invested. However, for many, the soul of D&D is about gathering around a virtual table as friends playing a game for free. While we are in no way trying to negatively portray paid games, they will most likely not have that “organic” feel to it that regular games do. For many players, it might be the perfect fit. Games happen when they are scheduled, the DM is prepared for the session and will most likely have figured out all the technical aspects beforehand. The modern solution: dedicated LFG platforms If you want to stop scrolling through forums and social media posts, you need a tool actually built for the job. If you are looking to join a D&D campaign online (or even find a local game), Groupfinder is the best dedicated tool available today. Built specifically to solve the age-old problem of TTRPG matchmaking, it completely streamlines the process. Why a dedicated platform beats a forum post Timezone & schedule filtering: No more guessing timezone conversions. On Groupfinder, you can filter game and player posts by timezones. That way you will know that what you are seeing will match your preferences and your real-life schedule. Detailed player profiles: Instead of pitching yourself to new DMs, you can create your permanent player profile (How to write a great player profile that helps you find a DnD group). You can introduce yourself, mark down any specific preferences, or even describe your previous experiences if you have any. You can also list your preferred systems (D&D 5E, D&D 5.5E, or if you are open to trying out other systems, those too can be listed), and let groups search for you. Advanced game tags: You can filter groups and players by various tags. Whether it is for themes, topics, inclusivity, or experience level, such as "Beginner friendly," "Roleplay focused," or "LGBTQ+ friendly." How to make your player profile stand out Whether you are posting on a forum or filling out your profile on Groupfinder, what you write matters. DMs sift through a lot of profiles; here is how to make yours stand out: Be Honest About Your Experience: DMs do not mind beginners! For many, it might be exactly who they are looking for. New DMs are more likely to feel more comfortable playing with other newbies. Their mistakes are less obvious and you will all learn together. Define Your "Pillars of Play": Do you prefer emotional roleplay and character voices, or are you more interested in tactical, grid-based combat? Be detailed about what you like and dislike about the game. List Your dealbreakers: If you are not comfortable with certain topics, mark them down. Being open about those will give the reader a good overview of whether you would fit their group or not. The age-old saying “No D&D is better than bad D&D” holds true. Red flags to watch out for Once you find a group that seems to be a good fit on paper, you still need to ensure whether the game style and dynamic between players is for you. If the game has a “Session zero”, you can get a better understanding of who the people involved are, what they are looking for, and whether your preferences align. Watch out for these red flags: The "Main character syndrome": If a player is constantly talking over others during introductions or insists their homebrew character concept overrides the DM's worldbuilding, it is a sign of bad table etiquette to come. This might be something that, when addressed, can be resolved - but don’t let those instances go by without taking note. Poor Communication: If the group doesn’t seem to be able to respond to important messages within a reasonable time, it might indicate that the group members are not that interested or have the time required to manage an ongoing game. Prioritizing safety: The "Session 0" essentials Finding a group is only half the battle; ensuring the group is a safe and comfortable environment for everyone is what makes a campaign last. Modern TTRPG matchmaking relies heavily on **Safety Tools** to set boundaries before the first die is rolled. Commonly used safety tools If you are joining a new group, look for these terms in the game description. If they aren't there, don't be afraid to ask the DM which ones they use: Lines and Veils: "Lines" are hard limits (topics that will never be in the game). "Veils" are topics that can happen but "fade to black" without graphic detail. The X-Card: A tool that allows any player (or the DM) to edit out content in real-time if it becomes uncomfortable. Monte Cook Games RPG Consent Checklist: A physical or digital form where players check off their comfort levels with various horror or social themes. Why this matters for online play When playing with strangers online, communication can sometimes be misinterpreted. Using these tools isn't about being "sensitive"—it's about professionalism and clear communication. Groups that use safety tools have a significantly lower "ghosting" rate because expectations are set early. On Groupfinder, we encourage all DMs to list their preferred safety tools in their group descriptions. This helps players find the right "vibe" and ensures a long-lasting adventure. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can I play D&D online for free? Yes. The basic rules for Dungeons & Dragons are available for free online (view the Basic Rules here). You do not need any books to get your first few sessions going. You can use free Virtual Tabletops like Roll20 or Owlbear Rodeo, talk over Discord, and find your group for free using Groupfinder. Will I need a webcam to play D&D? Not necessarily! While some groups prefer playing with cameras on to read facial expressions during roleplay, many groups play "audio-only" using just a microphone. What if I haven’t played D&D or any other TTRPG before? Not to worry - everyone has to start somewhere, just like you. If you have found a beginner-friendly group, feel free to ask any question, no matter how simple it might seem. You can also find a multitude of resources online. But be aware that you will never know everything about the game. That is not how it goes - knowing where to find information is how you get by. Stop searching and find your group Finding an online D&D group might seem like a daunting task. But in reality, you just need to put yourself out there and start your search. It might take weeks before you get contacted by a group. Remember to keep your post “bumped”. That will move your profile in front of all the other listings, refreshing it to the top. You can bump your post every day. Your profile also doesn’t have to be perfect from the start. Whenever you think of something to add, just return and edit your post. Feel free to share your profile link in other channels, you no longer have to spam individual messages - you now have a player profile that introduces you and your preferences. Create your free player profile on Groupfinder today, browse open games, and let the perfect campaign find you.

GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System) is a tabletop role-playing game designed by Steve Jackson and published by Steve Jackson Games. Initially released in 1986, with its current Fourth Edition published in 2004, it provides a universal ruleset built to accommodate any conceivable genre, setting, or power level. The system is recognized for its high degree of modularity and its strict reliance on point-based character creation rather than traditional classes or experience levels. Description In GURPS, players construct characters by allocating a predetermined pool of Character Points. These points are spent to acquire core attributes, specific skills, and advantages. Players can also elect to take disadvantages, such as physical limitations, phobias, or social stigmas, to gain additional points during the creation process. The game functions primarily as a mechanical toolkit rather than a fixed set of rules. Game Masters are instructed to select only the specific mechanics, combat modules, and magic systems from the core rulebooks and supplemental materials that fit the intended tone and setting of their campaign. System Overview & Key Features 3d6 Task Resolution The system exclusively uses a pool of three six-sided dice (3d6) for action resolution. To succeed at a task, a player must roll a total equal to or lower than their character's modified skill or attribute target number. The use of three dice generates a bell curve probability distribution, which makes average outcomes statistically common and extreme successes or failures mathematically rare. Point-Buy Character Creation Character generation is entirely point-based. The Game Master assigns a starting total of Character Points (CP) to dictate the overall power level of the campaign. Every element of a character, including the four basic attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Health), specialized skills, wealth, and social status, is purchased using these points. Universal Modularity GURPS is structurally designed for adaptation. The core rulebooks provide the foundational mechanics, while hundreds of supplemental books offer optional, granular rules for specific settings, such as cybernetics, realistic martial arts, space travel, or varied magic systems. The ruleset is intended to be heavily customized and scaled in complexity by the Game Master. Tactical Combat and Damage Resistance Combat encounters operate on one-second turns, creating a highly detailed and tactical framework. The system incorporates rules for hit locations, weapon reach, bleeding, and shock penalties. In combat, armor functions as Damage Resistance (DR); it directly subtracts from the numerical damage inflicted by an attack rather than making the target more difficult to hit. Skill Defaults When a character attempts an action for which they do not possess the specific trained skill, the system utilizes a "default" mechanic. The player may roll against a closely related skill or a foundational attribute, applying a predetermined numerical penalty. This mechanic simulates a character attempting an unfamiliar task using their general knowledge or raw physical capabilities. Additional links sjgames.com/gurps - Official Steve Jackson Games publisher website and digital storefront gurps.fandom.com - Extensive fan-curated wiki for rules, settings, and sourcebook references

Are you tired of only hearing about Dungeons and Dragons? Would you like to learn about the plethora of other games out there? Well, so did we! 4 nerds try out a plethora of Tabletop Roleplaying Games! We got action! We got comedy! We got games you haven't even heard of! Stop on by, maybe you'll find your new favourite game! New Actual Play episodes every other Sunday at 22:00 EEST! Character Creation and Post-Mortem episodes are uploaded outside of the regular schedule. Links spotify.com - Spotify feed youtube.com - Youtube channel discord.gg - Discord server