Un recent weeks, games like Dungeons & Dragons have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To slow the rate of infection, authorities have encouraged social distancing -- the act of remaining physically separate in order to avoid spreading the disease.
However, this doesn't mean that you can't play Dungeons & Dragons with your friends. Tabletop games are entirely still possible to play while social distancing, but you'll need to find ways of doing it remotely rather than in person. Here are just a few potential ways it can be done.
Playing Remotely
There are various places through which you can play Dungeons & Dragons remotely. If you're just continuing a game you had with your friends and you don't need boards or miniatures for your campaign, it's easy to play over Skype or Discord.
Multiple sites exist that provide players a space to meet up and play. Two of the most well-known ones are Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds, which allow players to organize new games and provide with all the material needed to start up a game.
There is also Tabletop Simulator, which includes user-created material in the Steam Workshop that can provide players a Dungeons & Dragons setting perfect for players. The obvious advantage to Roll20 is that it's free, but if players have a VR headset, Tabletop Simulator provides the most immersive game setup for remote play. It almost feels like you're really with your friends around the table -- albeit with sometimes crude three-dimensional graphics substituting physical constructs.
All of these online resources, however, do have a learning curve. It's best to practice with each interface first with your entire group of players to see which interface works best for you.
Organizing a New Game
Let's say, however, that you don't know anyone who is into Dungeons & Dragons, or you're looking for a new gaming group to join. There are tons of resources you can access to start a remote game, such as tabletop subreddits or forums looking for new players.
However, if you want a more direct and certain way of finding new games, once again, Roll20 provides a database for DMs looking for new players to join campaigns. It provides all the details necessary for you to know how to roll up a character for any given game.
On top of that, there are other resources to help you learn to become a better player. At the end of each round, it might be wise to give your DM feedback or listen to your player's feedback on what can be improved both in terms of how to play the game and how to make the online space more immersive. After all, being apart can be an obstacle for many players who are used to sitting next to their fellow players, especially if they are accustomed to using their bodies or physical space to emphasize or communicate their actions. By listening to your players or voicing your concerns, everyone can improve the virtual space and make it more welcoming.
Digital Versions of Physical Equipment
Physical copies of the Dungeons & Dragons rulebook are popular additions to any game. After all, having the rules on hand is pretty useful. If may be hard to share a physical copy while playing remotely, but, fortunately, Wizards of the Coast has the basic rules available to download for free. These will help you create characters, understand ability checks and answer various other questions you might have. The website also offers PDFs for purchase that contain the expanded rules for players who want to go beyond the basic material.
On top of that, if you need dice, there are multiple online dice rollers you can use. If you want to use miniatures and maps, most online resources like Roll20, Tabletop Simulator and Fantasy Grounds can provide you all that you need there.
Dungeons & Dragons is a great way to stay connected through these difficult times. It provides some harmless, fun escapism that'll take your mind off of the harsh reality of the real world for awhile. Social distancing is incredibly important, but it's easy to feel isolated and lonely while away from friends and family. Luckily, in this digital age, we have the tools to connect with each other, even when physically apart.