About HowToRPG
Our Mission
HowToRPG.com exists to make tabletop role-playing games accessible to everyone. Whether you're completely new to TTRPGs, looking to improve your skills as a player or Game Master, or helping someone else get started, we're here to help.
We believe that tabletop RPGs should be welcoming, inclusive, and fun for everyone at the table. That's why we focus on clear explanations, practical advice, and removing barriers to entry.
No jargon. No gatekeeping. Just friendly, practical guidance to help you enjoy one of the most creative and social hobbies in the world.
How to Use This Site
HowToRPG is organized into four main learning paths, each designed for different needs and experience levels:
Getting Started
New to TTRPGs? Start here. This path covers the absolute basics: what RPGs are, how they work, what you need to play, and how to get your first session going.
For Players
Level up your player skills. Learn how to create memorable characters, work with your table, solve problems creatively, and be the kind of player everyone wants at their table.
For Game Masters
Running the game? This path is for you. Learn how to prepare sessions, handle rules, improvise, manage table dynamics, and create adventures your players will love.
Resources
Practical tools and materials to support your games. Find quick-start guides, printable resources, cheat sheets, and other helpful materials.
Role Badges: Each article is tagged with a role badge to help you quickly identify content relevant to your needs. These badges appear throughout the site on articles, cards, and in navigation.
Our Content Standards
Every article on HowToRPG follows strict content standards to ensure quality, accessibility, and usefulness:
- •Jargon-Free: We explain concepts in plain language. When we use RPG terminology, we define it clearly with glossary tooltips.
- •Practical & Actionable: Every article provides concrete advice you can actually use at your table, not just theory.
- •System-Agnostic: Our guidance applies to any tabletop RPG, whether you play D&D, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, or any other system.
- •Beginner-Friendly: We never assume prior knowledge. Articles clearly state what you need to know before reading.
- •Fully Accessible: All content meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards with proper heading structure, alt text, keyboard navigation, and screen reader support.
- •Reviewed & Tested: Content is reviewed by experienced players and GMs to ensure accuracy and usefulness.
License & Usage
All content on HowToRPG.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).
This means you're free to:
- ✓Share and redistribute the content in any format
- ✓Adapt and build upon the content for any purpose
- ✓Use it commercially
Under the following terms: you must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and share your adaptations under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Ready to Get Started?
Head to our Getting Started guide to begin your TTRPG journey.
Get Started