Knave RPG
Knave RPG earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Knave is a classless OSR fantasy RPG by Ben Milton that uses fast character creation, slot-based inventory, and old-school problem solving.
Fantasy games make magic, myth, impossible places, strange peoples, heroic danger, or invented worlds central to play. The category is broad, so the best fits use fantasy assumptions to shape choices rather than just scenery.
Knave RPG earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Knave is a classless OSR fantasy RPG by Ben Milton that uses fast character creation, slot-based inventory, and old-school problem solving.
13th Age fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A fantasy role-playing game that synthesizes the tactical depth of traditional d20 systems with narrative-driven elements, enhancing character and story development.
Easy D6 belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. EZD6 simplifies tabletop RPGs into a fast, flexible system that's easy to learn and quick to play.
Old-School Essentials fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. It features a modular design that is fully compatible with decades of old-school content, supporting a wide array of adventures and settings.
Pathfinder 2e belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A tactical fantasy RPG built around class identity, rigorous encounter structure, and one of the strongest character-building ecosystems in the hobby.
Cairn earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Cairn RPG is an exploration-focused tabletop RPG set in a mysterious, dark forest filled with strange creatures and hidden treasures.
BESM (Big Eyes, Small Mouth) belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A versatile tabletop RPG that allows players to create and play characters from any anime or manga setting.
Avatar Legends fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game allows players to immerse themselves in the rich world of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "The Legend of Korra." This tabletop RPG...
Choose Kingdom for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. Kingdom RPG immerses players in the creation and governance of a community, exploring leadership and communal decision-making through the "Crossroads" system.
Vaesen fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A narrative-driven RPG that plunges players into the eerie world of Scandinavian folklore, where ancient entities known as Vaesen lurk hidden from modern society.
Choose Quest for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A cooperative tabletop RPG where players embark on epic adventures in a fantastical world filled with magic, monsters, and mystery.
Dungeon World belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A fantasy adventure RPG that brings Powered by the Apocalypse moves to dungeon crawls, quests, and dangerous journeys.
Index Card RPG belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. IndexCard RPG distills fast-paced, adaptable tabletop gaming into a streamlined system perfect for any genre.
Choose Savage Worlds for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A fast-paced, versatile tabletop RPG that simplifies complex mechanics to accommodate any genre, from fantasy to sci-fi to horror.
Dungeons & Dragons earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Dungeons and Dragons is a foundational fantasy role-playing game where players create characters to embark on epic quests and combat various creatures in a richly...
Fast Fantasy fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A tabletop RPG designed for quick setup and fast play, ideal for players looking to dive straight into adventure without getting bogged down by complex rules.
Choose FATE for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A tabletop RPG that emphasizes flexible, open-ended gameplay and a strong narrative focus.
Choose Cosmere RPG for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. The official RPG for Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere universe featuring Stormlight Archive and Mistborn settings.
Choose Mythic for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A tabletop RPG that stands out for its versatility and support for solo and cooperative play.
GURPS earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System) is renowned for its flexibility and depth, allowing players to create characters and adventures in any setting imaginable.
Dragonbane belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. Dragonbane invites players to embark on epic quests in a mystical world filled with dragons, magic, and treacherous landscapes.
Court of Blades earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Court of Blades immerses players in a world of intrigue, espionage, and political manipulation, where they take on the roles of cunning spies navigating a web of secrets...
Into the Odd earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Into the Odd immerses players in a gritty, industrial world filled with strange technology and eldritch horrors, where they must explore dangerous ruins in search of...
Risus earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A light-hearted, rules-lite RPG that encourages creativity and humor in a wide range of settings and genres.
Ironsworn belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A gritty, dark fantasy tabletop RPG that immerses players in a world of iron-willed warriors, ancient ruins, and supernatural threats.
Choose Four Against Darkness for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A thrilling tabletop roleplaying game that takes players on perilous dungeon-crawling adventures with a focus on exploration and strategic decision-making.
Choose Mausritter for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A charming tabletop RPG where players take on the roles of intelligent mice adventuring through a medieval world filled with danger and intrigue.
Scarlet Heroes earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Scarlet Heroes transports players to a gritty, sword and sorcery universe filled with peril and adventure.
Choose Adventurer Conqueror King System for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A comprehensive OSR system that spans the complete hero's journey from dungeon delver to domain ruler.
Against the Wind earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Against the Wind invites players into a richly woven tapestry of survival and adventure in a world perpetually buffeted by furious storms and relentless currents.
Ars Magica fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A classic fantasy RPG of wizard covenants, Mythic Europe, and troupe-style campaign play built around one of tabletop gaming's deepest magic systems.
Choose Basic Fantasy RPG for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A rules‑lite, B/X‑inspired fantasy game with ascending AC and race‑class separation.
Bastards. (Pearlescent Edition) earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Is a rules‑lite OSR fantasy game using straightforward d20 tests and saves.
Beyond the Wall fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A zero-prep OSR fantasy RPG inspired by Earthsea and The Prydain Chronicles.
Choose Blueholme for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A rules-lite OSR retroclone of Holmes Basic D&D (1977), extending the beloved blue book from levels 1-20.
Choose Brancalonia for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A spaghetti-fantasy RPG of lovable knaves, rough comedy, folklore, and lowborn capers in a vividly Italian fantasy world.
Cairn 2e belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A classless fantasy adventure RPG in the Into the Odd and Knave lineage.
Casket Land earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A weird, rules-light fantasy RPG with a vivid visual identity and a taste for dangerous, off-kilter adventure.
Castles & Crusades fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. Castles & Crusades immerses players in a nostalgic world of high adventure, monsters, and magic inspired by classic fantasy literature.
Daggerheart belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. From Critical Role’s Darrington Press, Daggerheart blends narrative depth with a unique d12 system—Hope and Fear dice reflect character drives.
Choose Deathbringer for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A grimdark fantasy RPG kit by Professor Dungeon Master that compresses character creation, combat, and spellcasting into a fast, lethal chassis compatible with 5e...
Delving Deeper fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A faithful OD&D retroclone that recreates the original 1974 D&D experience with three core classes: Fighting Man, Magic-User, and Cleric.
Choose Dolmenwood for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A fantasy RPG built on Old-School Essentials, set in a lavishly detailed world inspired by British folklore and fairy tales.
Down We Go earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A rules‑lite OSR dungeon crawler using familiar d20 and d6 rolls.
Draw Steel fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. MCDM’s Draw Steel reimagines fantasy RPGs with cinematic combat and exploration.
Choose Dungeon Crawl Classics for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A throwback to old-school dungeon-crawling adventures, where players plunge into deadly dungeons filled with traps, monsters, and untold treasures.
Electric Bastionland fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A rules‑lite OSR game of dangerous expeditions in a strange industrial city and its depths.
Choose Errant for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A rules-light, procedure-heavy OSR fantasy RPG by Ava Islam.
Esoteric Ebb belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A strange, stylized indie RPG with a strong weird-fiction voice and a world built to feel uncanny before it feels familiar.
Everywhen earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Everywhen invites players to embark on an imaginative journey across a multiverse where timelines intertwine and the past, present, and future coexist.
Five Torches Deep earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A rules‑lite dungeon‑adventure game that marries 5e familiarity with OSR grit.
For Gold & Glory belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A faithful retroclone of AD&D 2nd Edition, consolidating the Player's Handbook, DMG treasure sections, and Monster Manual into a single comprehensive tome.
Forbidden Lands fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A sandbox survival fantasy RPG where you play rogues and raiders exploring a cursed world.
Goblin Quest fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A comedic disaster RPG where players burn through bands of tiny goblins pursuing grand plans they are almost guaranteed to ruin.
Index Card RPG (Master Edition) fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. Index Card RPG: Master Edition is a rules‑lite fantasy toolkit built around scene targets, timers, hearts, and effort dice.
Choose Into the Odd (Remastered) for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A rules‑lite OSR dungeon‑adventure in a grim industrial world.
King Arthur Pendragon fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. King Arthur Pendragon immerses players in the legendary era of Arthurian lore, where they embody knights of the Round Table, navigating the complexities of chivalry,...
Knave Second Edition Review (2023): Is It Worth the Upgrade? belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. Classless, slot-based inventory creates meaningful gear decisions while 75+ generators produce dungeons, factions, cities, and monsters.
Labyrinth Lord fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A faithful retroclone of 1981 Moldvay Basic/Cook Expert D&D, preserving the classic B/X experience.
Choose Lady Blackbird for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. Lady Blackbird invites players to embark on a steampunk-inspired adventure aboard a luxurious skyship with a crew of daring outlaws and rebels.
Legend in the Mist fits fantasy because its villages, dangerous wilderness, old magic, journeys, and character escalation shape play rather than just dressing the scenery.
Choose Legend of the Five Rings for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A samurai fantasy RPG of duty, honor, courtly pressure, and violence in a mythic version of Rokugan.
Lion & Dragon earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A Medieval Authentic OSR RPG that strips away anachronisms for historically grounded fantasy.
Lost Echoes fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A dark fantasy solo RPG that blends atmospheric mystery, prompt-driven play, and resource pressure into a solitary journey through uneasy places.
Low Fantasy Gaming belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. Low Fantasy Gaming immerses players in a gritty, realistic world filled with danger and intrigue, where survival is not guaranteed and every choice has consequences.
Macchiato Monsters fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A rules‑lite OSR game using roll‑under ability tests and Risk dice for gear and attrition.
Maze Rats earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A rules‑lite OSR fantasy game using 2d6 tests and swingy, lethal outcomes.
Mazes Fantasy Roleplaying belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. Mazes is a rules‑lite fantasy dungeon crawler using the polymorph system (each role rolls a single die).
minimald6 fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A rules‑lite universal engine using 2–3d6, where 5–6s are successes.
Mouse Guard earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A mission-structured fantasy RPG of duty, weather, travel, and small heroes protecting a dangerous world much larger than themselves.
Neoclassical Geek Revival earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. An innovative OSR RPG by Zzarchov Kowolski featuring the unique Pie Piece class system, Luck Points instead of hit points, and Schrödinger's Character creation where you...
Nobilis belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. Nobilis immerses players in a surreal world where they embody the embodiment of divine concepts, each wielding incredible power as an avatar of an aspect of reality.
Choose OSE Advanced Fantasy for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A rules-lite OSR retroclone expanding Classic Fantasy with Advanced D&D options.
OSRIC earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. OSRIC (Old School Reference and Index Compilation) is the pioneering AD&D 1e retroclone that launched the OSR movement.
Paleomythic belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A rules‑lite stone‑and‑sorcery survival game using opposed dice pools and conditions.
Primal Quest - Essentials fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. Primal Quest – Essentials is a rules‑lite stone‑and‑sorcery RPG.
Root: The RPG belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. The Woodland comes alive in this PBtA RPG based on the hit board game.
Ryuutama fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A cozy, Japanese-inspired RPG where village folk—bakers, healers, farmers—embark on a grand journey across a world born from seasonal dragons.
Shadow of the Weird Wizard belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. Schwalb using an evolved Shadow of the Demon Lord system.
Shadow of the Weird Wizard fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A streamlined fantasy RPG refining Shadow of the Demon Lord’s mechanics, Shadow of the Weird Wizard swaps horror for heroic adventure.
Swords & Wizardry earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A rules-lite OSR retro-clone recreating the Original D&D experience from 1974-1978.
Tales of Argosa fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A low-fantasy adventure RPG built for dangerous exploration, rough-edged heroism, and sandbox play with old-school pressure and modern usability.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld: Adventures in Ankh-Morpork belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. Modiphius brings Terry Pratchett’s Discworld to life in 2025 with Adventures in Ankh-Morpork.
The Black Hack earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A rules-light tabletop RPG that harkens back to the old-school style of fantasy roleplaying, focusing on fast-paced, deadly combat and streamlined mechanics.
The Black Hack (2nd Edition) fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. The Black Hack 2e is a rules‑lite OSR fantasy game with player‑facing, roll‑under ability tests.
The Deep Forest belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. Groups that want collaborative play without a traditional GM.
Choose The Hero's Journey for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A rules-lite OSR fantasy RPG built on Swords & Wizardry White Box.
The One Ring (Second Edition) belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A Tolkien fantasy RPG built around journeys, weariness, and hope in the twilight of the Third Age.
The One Ring RPG earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. The One Ring is a survival-focused fantasy RPG set in Middle-earth between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
The Skeletons fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. A rules‑lite, GM‑less fantasy story game about cursed tomb guardians.
The Wildsea belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A narrative survival-fantasy RPG set on an endless treetop ocean.
Choose The Witch is Dead for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A one‑page, rules‑lite fantasy caper by Grant Howitt.
Choose The Witcher TRPG for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A dark fantasy game of monsters, suspicion, hard choices, and deadly combat in a world where survival rarely feels clean or heroic.
Thirsty Sword Lesbians earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. A romantic adventure RPG about messy feelings, dramatic conflict, and queer swashbuckling where emotional stakes matter as much as the sword fight.
Tiny Dungeon fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. Tiny Dungeon (TinyD6) is a rules‑lite fantasy RPG that runs on simple 2d6 tests with advantage/disadvantage.
Tiny Taverns belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A rules‑lite, narrative fantasy game using a simple TinyD6 dice‑pool (1–3d6, 5+ succeeds).
Choose Torchbearer for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A survival-focused dungeon crawler where light, food, and supplies deplete constantly.
Troika! earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Is a fantastical tabletop RPG set in a bizarre and surreal world where players travel through the mystical Catlands in search of their destinies.
Tunnel Goons belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A rules-lite dungeon-delving game using 2d6 contests against a target number.
Soulbound fits fantasy because magic, gods, Realmgates, monsters, and impossible realms are not scenery; they define what threats and victories mean.
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay belongs here when the table wants fantasy that changes what play is about, not just the label on the cover. A grim fantasy RPG of careers, corruption, bad odds, and surviving a world where mud, bureaucracy, and horror all feel equally dangerous.
Choose Whitehack for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A rules-light tabletop roleplaying game that combines old-school charm with modern game design.
Whitehack (Fourth Edition) earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. Whitehack is a rules‑lite, classless OSR fantasy game that marries old‑school tempo with modern clarity.
World of Dungeons fits fantasy because it uses magic, myth, or invented worlds as a working part of the experience. An ultra-minimal, Dungeon World–adjacent fantasy game that runs on 2d6 rolls and rulings over rules.
Choose Worlds Without Number for fantasy play when you want fantasy that changes what play is about. A sandbox fantasy RPG by Kevin Crawford, featuring extensive world-building tools and GM support.
Wushu earns this tag by making fantasy premise matter during play. An exhilarating tabletop RPG that immerses players in the high-octane world of martial arts, encapsulating the vibrant action and drama of classic kung fu films.