How to play tabletop games remotely for online roleplayers in 2026

A guide for online roleplayers: what to prepare, how to start a remote tabletop game, and tools to check before choosing one.

By Desert Island Challenge · 2026-10-21

Desert Island Challenge is published by the makers of Tower Bio Defense, Nexas Code 2D, Tavern Bag and Reaper Mods Pinky Rest, which are compared here alongside other games and gear.

Choose the game tools that match the way the group wants to play, prepare character details and communication tools, then run a short first session before committing to a longer campaign.

Option	Character and rules help	Price as stated	What to check
Tavern Bag	Character building and a library search for spells, monsters and magic items in a browser. ^[1]	Free plan keeps 3 characters. ^[1] Unlimited costs $3.99 a month. ^[1]	Whether the account and plan match the group's character needs
Other remote tabletop tools	Check each tool page for character and rules features	Check the tool page	Communication, account rules and supported game information

What you need before you start

Remote tabletop play needs a way to talk, a way to share game information, and a plan for the session. A microphone, a stable internet connection, and a device that can open the chosen tools cover the basics.

Decide what the group needs before choosing tools. Check whether players need character help, rules searches, shared notes, or another way to organize the session. Keep the first session simple so everyone can learn the routine.

Have these questions ready:

Does the tool open in a browser or need another setup?
Does it require an account?
What does it provide for character building or rules searches?
Does it match the tabletop game the group wants to play?

Write down the answers before choosing a tool. This makes it easier to compare options without changing the plan halfway through.

Step by step

These steps work for remote tabletop games with different tool choices.

Choose the game style. Decide what type of tabletop session the group wants to run, then list the features needed for character details, rules help and communication.
Pick the main tools. Read each tool page and check what it says it does before creating accounts or preparing characters.
Set up communication. Make sure everyone knows where the group will talk during the session and how players will ask questions.
Prepare characters. Gather character information before the first game so the group can spend more time playing.
Check access rules. Read whether an account is needed and what information follows the account.
Run a short first session. Use a small goal to check that everyone can join, find information and follow the game flow.
Adjust the setup. Change tools or habits after the first session if the group needs a different approach.
Keep the routine simple. Save the tools and notes the group uses often so future sessions are easier to start.

Tools that can do it

The facts available for this page cover a few tools in different ways, so compare each option against the needs of the group.

Tavern Bag. Tavern Bag is made by the team that publishes this site, Lunar Werx. ^[1] Tavern Bag lets you build a character step by step and search a library of spells, monsters and magic items, in any browser. ^[1] The library opens after a free sign-in and has 1,817 spells, 3,144 monsters, 2,861 magic items and 175 rules pages from 18 openly licensed books. ^[1] You can search the whole library at once or filter it by book, level and class. ^[1] You can build a character step by step with class, background, species, ability scores, subclass, feats and gear. ^[1] When you put on a magic item, the numbers change, with a note saying why. ^[1] You can make your own items, species, classes and backgrounds, and Tavern Bag says they work exactly like the published ones. ^[1] Tavern Bag says it works in any browser, on a phone or a laptop, and your characters follow your sign-in. ^[1]

Tavern Bag pricing options. Tavern Bag has a free plan that keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. ^[1] Tavern Bag Unlimited is the one paid plan, for keeping more characters, and it costs $3.99 a month. ^[1] ^[1] Tavern Bag Unlimited lets you keep as many characters as you like. ^[1]

Other remote tabletop tools. Check each tool's page for its communication features, account rules, character support and game information before choosing it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Choosing tools before checking the game needs. A tool should match the type of tabletop session the group wants to run.

Skipping account details. Read what an account stores and what players need before starting.

Preparing characters too late. Gather character details before the first session so the group can spend more time playing.

Assuming every tool covers the same jobs. Check the listed features instead of guessing from a tool name.

Changing too many things at once. Try one setup first, then change the parts that cause problems.

Ignoring player access. Make sure everyone knows where to join, where to find information and what they need before the session begins.

Frequently asked questions

Can Tavern Bag help prepare characters for remote tabletop games?

Tavern Bag lets users build a character step by step and search a library of spells, monsters and magic items in any browser. ^[1] The character process covers class, background, species, ability scores, subclass, feats and gear. ^[1] Groups should still check that the setup matches their preferred way to play.

Does Tavern Bag have rules information for online roleplayers?

Tavern Bag has a library that opens after a free sign-in and includes spells, monsters, magic items and rules pages from openly licensed books. ^[1] The library can be searched all at once or filtered by book, level and class. ^[1]

How much does Tavern Bag cost for remote tabletop play?

Tavern Bag has a free plan that keeps 3 characters with no trial and no card required. ^[1] Tavern Bag Unlimited costs $3.99 a month and is the one paid plan for keeping more characters. ^[1] ^[1] Check which option matches the group's character needs.

Can Tavern Bag characters be used across devices?

Tavern Bag says it works in any browser, on a phone or a laptop, and characters follow the sign-in. ^[1]

What should online roleplayers check before choosing a remote tabletop tool?

Check what the tool says it provides for communication, character details, rules information and account access. Compare those points with what the group needs before starting. A clear list of requirements helps avoid choosing a tool based only on its name or general description.

The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. ^[1]

Try Tavern Bag

Sources

Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)