Ok, so you’re a Dungeons & Dragons super fan, but if you hear the phrase, “Rocks fall. Everyone dies” one more time, you might just lose your mind and flip the table. Correct?
We get it. We have a love-hate relationship with Dungeons & Dragons, too. It’s like that old friend who always wants to hit the mall and browse band tees at Hot Topic — and that’s cool, but not every single Saturday.
You’ve probably heard your DM say “fortune favors the brave” at some point; so, why not be bold and branch out from your go-to tabletop RPG? You never know what new adventures await.
Grab a drink, roll the dice, and see where the story takes you!
Why Explore Beyond Dungeons & Dragons
“You think you’re in a room, but you’ve been wrong before.” Heard that one? Let’s get meta and apply it to Dungeons & Dragons itself. You might think you’ve seen everything, but there’s a whole world out there beyond just attacking the darkness and asking, “What’s the stat for my weapon again?” Trust us.
Dungeons & Dragons has long earned its spot in the tabletop RPG hall of fame; it practically defines the genre (hello, Baldur’s Gate 3). So it’s more than okay to take a break from it now and then and make an investigation roll into the wider world of TTRPGs.
The Best Tabletop RPGs (That Aren’t Dungeons & Dragons)
On a quest to discover new tabletop RPGs that will satisfy your storytelling and world-building itch? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of the best tabletop RPGs beyond the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
(PS: We know technically all RPGs are narrative-based, and sure, there are hundreds of subgenres—like OSRs and MMORPGs. We’re just easing beginners in and whetting their appetites for TTRPGs without overwhelming them. The rulebooks can handle that part later.)
Rules-Light Systems
Let’s start simple with rules-light RPGs. For newcomers, these systems keep things easy and breezy, avoiding complicated mechanics. The focus is on storytelling, creativity, and player choice, while the rules stay light, so you can pick them up quickly. Minimal prep is needed, and improvising is part of the fun.
Knave
Knave is the perfect tabletop RPG for beginners — it’s also an OSR (Old School Renaissance) game, drawing inspiration from the classic, stripped-down RPGs of the past. Think early days of Dungeons & Dragons: just you, a handful of rules, and a group of friends against the world.
If you want a bare-bones, highly functional system that’s a great launchpad for imaginative play, Knave is your go-to. It supports solo play or groups up to five players, making it ideal for smaller gatherings. Explore the world, survive deadly encounters, and rely on nothing but your wits and gear to get through.
Into The Odd
Into the Odd describes itself as “a rules-light, flavor-heavy roleplaying game of industrial horror and cosmic strangeness.” You play as an explorer delving into the strange, twisted world surrounding Bastion — a sprawling, ever-changing city — in search of riches and Arcana (mysterious, powerful devices).
Part steampunk, part cosmic horror, the game’s aesthetics are phenomenal, set in a world far too ancient and vast to be fully mapped. Despite its rich lore, Into the Odd is surprisingly beginner-friendly. The rules are ultra-minimal, designed to keep gameplay fast, fluid, and constantly moving forward.
There’s no slow build-up here — you dive right in, rolling up an explorer in minutes and grabbing a starter pack of gear to hit the ground running.
Narrative-Driven TTRPGs
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
We mentioned Knave as an OSR earlier, but few tabletop RPGs are as timeless a classic as Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (WFRP). First published in 1986 by Games Workshop, it’s gone through countless editions, evolving alongside the expanding Warhammer franchise.
If you want a tabletop RPG that’s grittier than Dungeons & Dragons but doesn’t come with a rulebook the size of a tree, WFRP is a perfect fit. This game offers full immersion into the Old World, focusing heavily on storytelling over constant combat or complex rules — think lore, not law.
No matter your starting character — even a humble rat catcher with a tiny dog — your journey unfolds organically and thoughtfully. There are no wild plot twists or deus ex machina moments. If you enjoy low-fantasy storytelling without drowning in spell spreadsheets, this one’s definitely worth a try.
Blades in the Dark
Greetings, scoundrel. Welcome to Blades in the Dark. Shaking things up from the classics, this cool tabletop RPG follows a crew of daring adventurers taking their chances on the haunted streets of a sprawling industrial metropolis.
It’s got heists and chases. Occult mysteries and dark bargains. Vengeful ghosts and hidden riches. What’s not to love?
You might notice it feels a bit like Assassin’s Creed — a world where nothing is true and everything is permitted — but here, you forge your own path and play by your own rules.
As for rules, there aren’t many to learn. Your wits are better spent navigating deals or escaping the Bluecoats. There’s plenty of narrative, though. The developers say, “A session of Blades in the Dark is like an episode of a TV show.” And honestly, we’re here for it. Offering hours of tense, immersive, cryptic gameplay, this game is a fantastic pick to refresh your tabletop RPG rotation and avoid Dungeons & Dragons burnout.
Other Cool Tabletop RPGs
But, what if those characters weren’t out of the question? Below are two unique, cross-genre tabletop RPGs that really take this style of gaming to new frontiers.
The thing about Dungeons & Dragons is—it’s packed with, well, dungeons and dragons. Sure, you can play warlocks, wizards, barbarians, and bards, but superheroes and spacemen? Not so much (though that would definitely be entertaining).
But what if those characters were on the table? Below are two unique, cross-genre tabletop RPGs that push the boundaries and take this style of gaming to exciting new frontiers.
Mutants & Masterminds
Play as heroes and villains in this thrilling superhero RPG that swaps traditional class levels for Power Levels and trades Tolkien-inspired fantasy for comic book action.
Don’t worry—Mutants & Masterminds isn’t too far removed from Dungeons & Dragons; it actually uses a modified version of the d20 system, tailored to fit the superhero genre perfectly. Expect a light-hearted yet gripping tone, with stories centered around the classic battle between good and evil—just like your favorite superhero movies, but with even more zaniness.
Starfinder
Fusing roleplaying mechanics with cosmic sci-fi settings, Starfinder is a truly unique tabletop RPG. Venture out into deep space armed with laser guns and starships—think Millennium Falcon-level cool. The only catch? The rulebook is just as deep as the universe it explores.
At around 500 pages, it might seem daunting, but stick with us—it’s actually pretty simple to dive right into. You might have even played a version of it before, since Starfinder is a space-themed offshoot of classic Pathfinder and uses the familiar d20 attack and ability rolls from Dungeons & Dragons.
With new weapons, alien species, and exotic worlds, it feels fresh and otherworldly—but if you’re comfortable with D&D mechanics, you’ll feel right at home.
Where To Start Playing TTRPGs
Haven’t quite found your tribe yet? Don’t worry! If you’re new to tabletop RPGs, here’s how to get involved and connect with fellow enthusiasts:
- Ask at your local game store. Most reputable stores host regular TTRPG nights and are happy to welcome new players or offer advice, guidance, and beginner-friendly sessions.
- Use online platforms to connect with RPG gamers. Sites like Roll20, StartPlaying, and Dungeons & Dragons Beyond provide great spaces for TTRPG fans to meet and play.
- Jump into Discord. Hundreds of active tabletop RPG communities chat nonstop about Dungeons & Dragons and beyond.
- Explore new indie tabletop RPGs on Kickstarter. Start small and discover fresh games with passionate creators.
Take Tabletop Gaming To Your Walls
We’ve shown you the vast world of tabletop RPGs beyond Dungeons & Dragons—there’s plenty of exciting games out there to explore. But let’s be honest: D&D is still the stalwart classic that started it all.
So while you’re out discovering new adventures, know we’ve got your back celebrating the OG tabletop legend. Our officially licensed Dungeons & Dragons metal posters showcase it all—from the epic Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves movie, to the Dungeons And Dragons Animated Series, and stunning key art from Baldur’s Gate III.
No matter your favorite D&D chapter, there’s a poster collection ready to level up your walls.
