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How to Play D&D Online: A Simple Guide (Tools, Setup, Etiquette)

Playing Dungeons & Dragons online is one of the easiest ways to find a table and one of the easiest ways to bounce off the hobby if your first session is a tech mess.

The good news: you don't need a perfect setup, a fancy mic, or a rules doctorate.

You just need:

  • The right tools (Discord/Zoom/Google Meet + a VTT, usually)

  • A simple workflow (so people know where to click)

  • A few table etiquette habits (so online play feels smooth)

This guide is for players and GMs/DMs who want a clean, beginner-friendly way to play D&D online and actually enjoy it.



What you need to play D&D online (the quick list)

At minimum, most online groups use:

  • Voice chat: Discord (most common)

  • A virtual tabletop (VTT): Roll20, Foundry, Fantasy Grounds, or Owlbear Rodeo

  • A way to roll dice: built-in VTT dice, a Discord bot, or physical dice

  • A character sheet: digital sheet (D&D Beyond, Roll20 sheet, PDF) or paper

Optional but nice:

  • Headphones

  • A second monitor (or tablet) for your sheet

  • A webcam (only if your table wants it)


Step 1: Choose your online play style (the 3 common setups)

There are three main ways groups run online D&D. Knowing which one you're joining saves a lot of confusion.


Setup A: Discord only (theater of the mind)

Best for: roleplay-heavy games, low tech, easy onboarding

How it works: voice chat + shared notes; combat is described, not mapped


Setup B: Discord + VTT maps (most common)

Best for: balanced games, tactical combat, clear positioning

How it works: Discord for voice; VTT for maps, tokens, dice


Setup C: All-in-one VTT (advanced)

Best for: groups that love automation and crunchy combat

How it works: Foundry/Fantasy Grounds handles a lot; Discord may be optional

If you're new, Setup B is the easiest to learn because it's the most common.


Step 2: Pick your tools (simple recommendations)

You can play online D&D with almost anything. But if you want the smoothest experience, here are the usual picks.

Discord (voice + community)

  • Most tables use Discord for voice chat

  • It also becomes your home base for scheduling and between-session updates

Virtual tabletops (VTTs)

Roll20

  • Very common

  • Browser-based

  • Lots of public games and listings

Foundry

  • Powerful, customizable

  • Often smoother for long campaigns

  • Usually hosted by the GM

Fantasy Grounds

  • Feature-rich

  • Great for rules automation

  • Can feel heavier to learn

Owlbear Rodeo

  • Lightweight, beginner-friendly

  • Great for simple maps and tokens

If you're a GM choosing for a mixed-experience group, Discord + Roll20 or Discord + Owlbear is a strong default.


Step 3: The online D&D tech checklist (do this before Session 1)

Online D&D is 80% vibes and 20% please unmute.

Do these once and you'll feel like a wizard.


Player checklist

  • Install Discord and log in

  • Test your mic (Discord Voice & Video settings)

  • Use headphones if possible (reduces echo)

  • Set push-to-talk if your environment is noisy

  • Open your character sheet and keep it accessible

  • Confirm the session time + time zone


GM checklist

  • Create Discord channels:

  • Post the Session Link Hub (see template below)

  • Make sure everyone can access the VTT link

  • Decide how you'll handle dice (VTT, bot, or physical)

  • Have a backup plan if the VTT breaks (theater of the mind)


The Session Link Hub template (copy/paste)

Post this in Discord so nobody is hunting for links:

  • Voice: [Discord voice channel name]

  • VTT: [Roll20/Foundry link]

  • Character sheets: [link or instructions]

  • Dice: [VTT / bot command]

  • Safety tool: [Lines/Veils / X-card method]

  • Schedule: [day/time + time zone]


Step 4: How online combat works (without getting overwhelmed)

If you're new, online combat can feel like juggling tabs.

Here's the simple version:

  • The GM describes the scene

  • You see the map (if using a VTT)

  • On your turn, you do one main action (attack, cast, help, etc.)

  • You roll dice (VTT or bot)

  • The GM narrates what happens


The beginner sentence that keeps things moving

If you freeze on your turn, say:

I'm new, can you give me two options for what I could do here?

That's it. That's the cheat code.


Step 5: Online table etiquette (the stuff that makes games feel good)

Online D&D has different social rules than in-person. These small habits make you instantly easier to play with.


For players

  • Mute when you're not talking especially if there's background noise

  • Don't rules-lawyer mid-scene (ask after, or message the GM)

  • Share spotlight (ask other PCs questions in character)

  • Be ready on your turn (know your 1 or 2 options)

  • Communicate early if you can't make it


For GMs

  • Call on people by name (online makes it easier to get quiet)

  • Use a clear turn order (initiative tracker helps)

  • Recap at the start (2 minutes)

  • End with a hook (what's next session?)

  • Check in after Session 1 (what's working, what's confusing)


Step 6: Session Zero for online games (especially important)

Session Zero is where online campaigns are won or lost.

What to cover (quick version)

  • Tone (cozy vs serious vs dark)

  • Playstyle mix (RP vs combat)

  • Schedule + cancellation policy

  • Tools (Discord/VTT/dice)

  • Safety tools + content boundaries

  • Communication norms (between-session chat)

A simple online attendance policy

Pick something like:

  • We run if 3 out of 5 players can make it.

  • If you can't make it, post in #schedule as early as possible.

Consistency is what makes online games last.


Step 7: Where to find online D&D games (players) and players (GMs)

If you're searching, these are the most common places:

Players: find an online D&D group

  • Discord LFG servers

  • Reddit (r/lfg)

  • Roll20 LFG

  • StartPlaying

  • Dungeons Not Dating, party matcher app (Coming Soon)


GMs: find reliable players

  • Discord communities

  • Reddit LFG

  • Roll20 listings

  • Your own community (Discord, socials)


High-value search phrases people use:

  • Play D&D online

  • Online D&D group

  • Find a D&D group online

  • D&D LFG

  • Roll20 looking for group

  • D&D Discord server

  • Virtual tabletop D&D


Common online D&D problems (and quick fixes)

Problem: People talk over each other

  • Fix: GM calls on people; use hand-raise or one person at a time norm

Problem: The VTT is laggy

  • Fix: turn off animated effects; use simpler maps; switch to theater of the mind for the fight

Problem: Players forget what's happening

  • Fix: 2-minute recap + a pinned last session note

Problem: Scheduling collapses

  • Fix: lock a recurring time; run with 3+ players; keep sessions to a predictable length


A simpler way to match for online play (relaunching soon)

If you've ever tried to set up online D&D, you've probably noticed the hard part isn't the tools.

It's the matching.

Finding people who:

  • share your schedule

  • want the same tone

  • like the same playstyle

  • and actually show up

That's a big reason Dungeons Not Dating is relaunching soon.

The relaunch is designed to help players and GMs find better matches using tags that matter like availability, platform, tone, playstyle, and beginner-friendliness so you can spend less time wrangling logistics and more time playing.


Join the waitlist for first access: https://dungeonsnotdating.com/waitlist


Quick-start: your first online session plan

  1. Pick your setup (Discord-only or Discord + VTT)

  2. Test your mic and links 10 minutes early

  3. Keep your character sheet open

  4. Ask for two options when you're stuck

  5. Have fun online D&D gets easier fast


Want the tag-based shortcut when the relaunch drops? Join the waitlist: https://dungeonsnotdating.com/waitlist

 
 
 
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