Dungeons & Dragons might be the most popular tabletop roleplaying game in the world, but it’s far from the only one worth your time.
I love D&D, but there are so many incredible fantasy tabletop roleplaying games out there—some light and breezy, some gritty and dark, and a few that are downright revolutionary. Today, we’re counting down 10 fantasy TTRPGs you should check out, each paired with one cool mechanic that makes it stand out.
And stick around, because the game I’ve got at #1? In my book, it beats 5e hands down for pure fun.
10. Dungeon World
Genre: High fantasy, classic adventuring
System: Powered by the Apocalypse
Dungeon World is a thrilling blend of epic quests, divine meddling, and heroes chasing glory—and it’s powered by the PBTA system. That means rules that serve the story and dice rolls that drive action, not stall it.
Cool Mechanic: World Creation
Character creation IS world creation. The GM doesn’t build the world beforehand. Instead, they ask players questions in session zero, and the world emerges from those answers. It’s collaborative, creative, and full of surprises.
9. Warhammer Fantasy Role Play
Genre: Grimdark fantasy
System: Percentile-based
Welcome to the bleak and brutal Old World. There are orcs, goblins, chaos cults, and corruption lurking in every alley. This one’s for you if you like your fantasy soaked in mud, blood, and bureaucracy.
Cool Mechanic: The Career System
Choose from 64 careers like Boatman or Rat Catcher, each with advancement paths. A smuggler might’ve started as a boatman, or a bounty hunter might’ve once been a watchman. It adds depth and non-combat storytelling to character arcs.
8. Pendragon
Genre: Arthurian legend
System: Custom ruleset from Chaosium
King Arthur fans, rejoice. Pendragon lets you become one of the Knights of the Round Table—or at least ride alongside them. It’s about chivalry, passion, honor, and dynastic storytelling.
Cool Mechanic: Passions
Your knight is defined by their passions—Love, Honor, Loyalty—and you can roll on them for bonuses when the stakes are high. It’s like roleplaying your emotions… mechanically.
7. The One Ring
Genre: Tolkien-inspired epic fantasy
System: Custom dice system
If you’ve ever wanted to walk the lonely road from the Shire to the Misty Mountains, The One Ring is your jam. Set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it’s all about traveling, surviving, and resisting corruption.
Cool Mechanic: Journeys
Players assign travel roles like Guide or Scout, then make “March Tests” to see how well they travel. Bad rolls mean exhaustion and unexpected dangers. It turns travel into its own compelling minigame.
6. Zweihänder
Genre: Grim and gritty low fantasy
System: d100-based
Zweihänder is brutal. Death lurks behind every bad roll. Healing is rare. Resurrection? Forget it. This game turns survival into a badge of honor.
Cool Mechanic: Exploding Damage Dice
You roll d6s for damage, and if you hit a 6? Roll again and add. It can chain—meaning even a dagger can be deadly. This mechanic adds tension and lethality to every swing of a sword.
5. RuneQuest
Genre: Mythic bronze-age fantasy
System: Basic Roleplaying (d100)
Set in the richly developed world of Glorantha, RuneQuest is where divine powers, cultural identity, and gritty realism collide. Combat is dangerous, magic is everywhere, and your clan matters.
Cool Mechanic: Skill-Based Advancement
No classes. You improve by using and training specific skills. Want to become a better swordsman or ritual priest? Focus your growth there. It’s highly customizable.
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4. Blades in the Dark
Genre: Industrial-fantasy heist noir
System: Forged in the Dark
Play as a crew of scoundrels in a haunted steampunk city pulling off high-stakes scores. Think Ocean’s Eleven with ghosts and rival gangs.
Cool Mechanic: Flashbacks
Want to reveal you already bribed the guard two scenes ago? Pay a stress cost, trigger a flashback, and roll. It’s a slick way to avoid “gotcha” moments and lets players feel clever and proactive.
3. Dragonbane
Genre: Classic fantasy adventure
System: Roll-under d20
Dragonbane is Free League’s modern revival of Sweden’s legendary Drakar och Demoner, and it absolutely sings. It’s heroic, fast-paced, and surprisingly deadly. The mechanics are simple but flavorful, and it hits that sweet spot between narrative and crunchy combat. A perfect pick for groups who want excitement without hours of rules-deep prep.
Cool Mechanic: Rally Call
When you hit 0 HP, you’re down—but not out. Other players can use their turn to PERSUADE you to rally back to your feet. If they succeed, you get up and keep fighting… even while technically dying. It’s hilarious, cinematic, and keeps the action flowing when things get grim.
2. Shadowdark
Genre: Old-school dungeon crawling
System: d20-based, OSR-inspired
Shadowdark blends modern rules clarity with the tense, torchlit atmosphere of classic dungeon delving. It’s deadly. It’s fast. It’s FUN. The layout is sleek, the art is gritty, and every rule supports high-stakes exploration. If you want danger, mystery, and scrappy survival? This is the game.
Cool Mechanic: Carousing
After a dungeon crawl, blow your treasure on hard-earned revelry. Roll on the Carousing Table and see what happens. You might gain XP, a new ally, or… a hangover with plot consequences. It’s the chaotic afterparty your adventuring career deserves.
1. Dungeon Crawl Classics
Genre: Pulp fantasy mayhem
System: d20-based, wildly mutated
This is the most gonzo, off-the-rails fantasy RPG I’ve ever played. DCC throws balance out the window in favor of wild magic, dangerous monsters, and epic player moments. Every adventure feels like a fever dream from a heavy metal album cover. It’s not just a game—it’s a vibe.
Cool Mechanic: Burning Luck
Luck is a stat you can burn permanently to boost your rolls. Need to make that crucial attack? Avoid sudden death? Escape with 1 HP? Burn your Luck and hope the dice are kind next time… because they will turn on you eventually.
So there you have it—10 incredible fantasy RPGs that aren’t D&D but are totally worth your table time. What did I miss? Which one sounds like your next campaign setting? Drop it in the comments and let’s talk!
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