Guides from the Outpost

Straight answers to the questions we hear across the counter every week — how to get started, how to run a better table, and what's worth buying.

Getting Started

Finding a table, joining your first game, and knowing what to expect.

Getting Started What Does a Dungeon Master Actually Do? What a Dungeon Master does - the referee, narrator, and cast of thousands in one chair, what the job involves before and during sessions, and who does it. Getting Started D&D for Kids - A Parent's Honest Guide Is D&D good for kids? What ages work, what the game actually teaches, how to find a kid-appropriate table, and the parent's two-minute vetting checklist. Getting Started How to Write a D&D Backstory (One Page, Three Hooks) How to write a D&D backstory that actually gets used - the one-page ceiling, three hooks your DM can grab, and why dead parents need a day off. Getting Started D&D Party Composition - Do You Really Need a Healer? D&D party composition without the dogma - whether you need a healer or tank, what actually breaks parties, and why four rogues is a valid life choice. Getting Started How to Be a Good D&D Player (The GM's Wish List) What actually makes a good D&D player - the five habits GMs quietly rank above rules mastery, and the one move that gets you invited back forever. Getting Started Can You Play D&D With Two Players? Yes - Here's How How two-player D&D actually works - GM plus one adjustments, sidekicks and gestalt tricks, duet campaign styles, and when to grab a third seat instead. Getting Started D&D Terms Explained - The Glossary Nobody Hands You Every D&D term you'll hear at the table in week one - TPK, nat 20, min-maxing, theater of the mind, session zero - defined fast, with the culture attached. Getting Started What Is a Living Campaign? Shared Worlds, Explained Living campaigns explained - one persistent world, many tables, characters that travel between games, and why the format fits busy adult schedules best. Getting Started Hire a Dungeon Master - How It Works and What It Costs How to hire a Dungeon Master for your group - private tables, per-seat games, events, and pricing, plus what separates a pro from an enthusiastic friend. Getting Started Playing D&D Online vs. In Person - The Real Trade-offs Online and in-person D&D compared by people who run both - energy, logistics, cost, and combat pacing, plus why the answer for most players is both. Getting Started D&D One-Shot vs. Campaign - Which Should You Start With? One-shots vs. campaigns for new D&D players - what each commitment actually looks like, which teaches the game faster, and how to move from one to the other. Getting Started Is Paying for a Dungeon Master Worth It? What a paid DM costs, what you get for the money, when free games are the better call, and the math of a $20 seat versus another dead campaign. Getting Started How to Play D&D for the First Time (What to Expect) What actually happens in your first D&D session - how a session flows, the three things you do as a player, table etiquette, and the fears nobody needs. Getting Started How to Find a D&D Group - Every Option Compared Every real way to find a D&D group — friends, game stores, online communities, and professional GMs — with honest trade-offs and how to get seated fastest. Getting Started What to Bring to Your First D&D Session (Checklist) The complete first-session D&D checklist — what you actually need, what the table provides, what to leave home, and how to show up ready as a total beginner.

Game Master Resources

Prep smarter, run better sessions, and maybe get paid to do it.

Game Master Resources What Is a West Marches Campaign? Player-Driven Exploration West marches campaigns explained - the player-scheduled, exploration-driven format with a rotating roster, how it works, and how to run or join one. Game Master Resources Best Gifts for Dungeon Masters (They Want Time, Not Mugs) Gifts Dungeon Masters actually want - prep time back, table tools that work, monster minis, and the thank-you every GM is quietly starved for. Game Master Resources Safety Tools at the Table (X-Card, Lines & Veils, More) TTRPG safety tools explained without the awkwardness - the X-card, lines and veils, open door, and how thirty seconds of setup makes games bolder. Game Master Resources How to Keep Players Coming Back to Your Game A GM's guide to player retention - why campaigns actually die, spotlight tracking, ending sessions on hooks, and the schedule discipline that saves tables. Game Master Resources First Time DM Tips - What Actually Matters First time DM advice that survives contact with a real table - run a module, make rulings not rules lookups, and the five mistakes every new DM makes. Game Master Resources How to Get Your Friends Into D&D (Without Scaring Them Off) How to get friends into D&D - the one-shot pitch that works, what to never do (lore dumps, three-hour character creation), and easier gateway games. Game Master Resources How to Prep a D&D Session in Under an Hour A repeatable 60-minute D&D session prep routine - the five-step checklist, what to steal instead of write, and the prep that never pays off. Game Master Resources How Much Do Professional Game Masters Charge? What professional GMs charge in 2026 - typical per-seat and private-table rates, what drives prices up, and the realistic math of GMing for income. Game Master Resources Session Zero Checklist for D&D Campaigns A practical session zero checklist - the questions to settle before a campaign starts, safety tools without awkwardness, and a 90-minute agenda that works. Game Master Resources One-Shot Prep Checklist for Game Masters A complete one-shot prep checklist for GMs — structure, pregens, timeboxing, table supplies, and safety tools — that gets a 4-hour session ready in about 2 hours.

Systems & Characters

Character creation walkthroughs and plain-English introductions to the games we run.

Systems & Characters D&D Stats Explained - The Six Abilities, Minus the Fog D&D's six ability scores explained for new players - what each stat actually does at the table, modifiers demystified, and the famous Int vs Wis line. Systems & Characters Which D&D Class Should I Play? Match It to Your Table Self Which D&D class fits you - a personality-first sorting of all twelve classes by how you actually behave at tables, plus the ones to avoid picking first. Systems & Characters What Is the d20 System? (And Dice Pools, and Roll-Under) The d20 system explained, plus the other big dice engines - dice pools, roll-under, percentile, and PbtA - and what each feels like at the table. Systems & Characters What Is Dragonbane? Fast Fantasy with Teeth Dragonbane explained - the Swedish d20 roll-under RPG, why there are no levels, the boxed set that onboards whole tables, and who it fits best. Systems & Characters How to Make a Character for Dragonbane Dragonbane character creation - kin, profession, attributes, and trained skills in 20 minutes, plus the memento and weakness that make them a person. Systems & Characters What Is Monster of the Week? The Easiest Great RPG Monster of the Week explained - the Buffy-and-Supernatural RPG with one mechanic, why 7-9 is the best number in gaming, and how fast a table learns it. Systems & Characters How to Make a Character for Monster of the Week Monster of the Week character creation in 15 minutes - choosing a playbook, ratings and moves, gear, and the history step that wires the team together. Systems & Characters What Is Blades in the Dark? Heists in a Haunted City Blades in the Dark explained - the heist RPG where planning is replaced by flashbacks, how stress and the crew sheet work, and who thrives in Doskvol. Systems & Characters How to Make a Character for Blades in the Dark Blades in the Dark character creation - pick a playbook, dot your actions, choose a vice, and why the crew sheet you build together matters more. Systems & Characters What Is Daggerheart? Hope, Fear, and Cinematic Fantasy Daggerheart explained - Critical Role's fantasy RPG, how Hope and Fear duality dice drive every scene, domain cards, and who should switch from D&D. Systems & Characters How to Make a Character for Daggerheart Daggerheart character creation step by step - class and domains, heritage, the fixed trait array, picking your first domain cards, and connections. Systems & Characters What Is Edge of the Empire? Star Wars for Scoundrels Edge of the Empire explained - the Star Wars RPG of smugglers and bounty hunters, how the narrative dice actually work, and whether you need the special set. Systems & Characters How to Make a Character for Edge of the Empire Edge of the Empire character creation - obligation first, species and career, spending your starting XP wisely, and why characteristics beat skills. Systems & Characters What Is Candela Obscura? Gaslamp Horror, Explained Candela Obscura explained - Critical Role's investigative horror RPG, how the d6 dice pools and scars work, and who the gaslamp mystery genre is for. Systems & Characters How to Make a Character for Candela Obscura Candela Obscura character creation in 15 minutes - pick a role, choose a specialty, dot your actions, and answer the two questions that matter more. Systems & Characters How to Make a Character for Call of Cthulhu Call of Cthulhu investigator creation in 20 minutes - occupation first, skills that matter, why Credit Rating counts, and the stats you can stop sweating. Systems & Characters Games Like D&D - What to Play Next Five games like D&D worth playing next, matched to what you want more of - crunchier builds, faster combat, deadlier dungeons, or bigger drama. Systems & Characters What Is Call of Cthulhu? The RPG Where You Lose Beautifully Call of Cthulhu explained - the d100 investigation RPG where ordinary people face cosmic horror, why losing is the fun, and how to try your first session. Systems & Characters D&D 5e vs. Pathfinder 2e - Which Fits Your Table? D&D 5e and Pathfinder 2e compared honestly - complexity, combat, character options, cost, and GM workload, plus who should actually switch. Systems & Characters What Is Pathfinder 2e? An Honest Introduction Pathfinder 2e explained for the curious - the three-action economy, why build-tinkerers love it, the free rules, and who should stick with D&D instead. Systems & Characters How to Make a Character for Pathfinder 2e Pathfinder 2e character creation without the overwhelm - the ABC method (ancestry, background, class), what to skip on build one, and free tools. Systems & Characters Best TTRPGs for Beginners (Besides D&D) The best tabletop RPGs for beginners in 2026 - honest picks beyond D&D 5e, what each does better, and how to choose by the kind of story you want. Systems & Characters How to Make Your First D&D Character A beginner's walkthrough for making your first D&D character — class picks that play well at level 1, the 20-minute build order, and when to just use a pregen.

Online Play & VTTs

Virtual tabletops, voice setups, and everything else about playing over the internet.

Online Play & VTTs Best VTT for Daggerheart (Cards Change the Answer) The best virtual tabletop for Daggerheart - why the official Demiplane tools plus a light VTT beats heavy automation, and how tables handle domain cards. Online Play & VTTs Best VTT for Call of Cthulhu (You Need Less Than You Think) The best virtual tabletop for Call of Cthulhu might be no VTT at all - why voice-first horror works, when Foundry earns its place, and handout tricks. Online Play & VTTs Best VTT for Pathfinder 2e (It's Foundry, Here's Why) The best virtual tabletop for Pathfinder 2e is Foundry, and it isn't close - the free community system, what Roll20 does adequately, and player advice. Online Play & VTTs D&D Beyond Player's Guide - What's Free, What's Worth It D&D Beyond for players - the free character builder, how content sharing saves everyone money, digital dice, and using it at online and physical tables. Online Play & VTTs Playing D&D Over Discord - The No-VTT Setup How to play D&D entirely over Discord - dice bots, channel setup, theater of the mind tips, and when a plain voice call beats any virtual tabletop. Online Play & VTTs New Player's Guide to Owlbear Rodeo (Two Minutes, Honestly) Owlbear Rodeo for players - join with a link, move your token, roll the dice, done. What the minimalist VTT does and doesn't handle, and what to bring. Online Play & VTTs New Player's Guide to Foundry VTT (It's Easier Than Its Reputation) Foundry VTT for players - joining a game without buying anything, the five controls that matter, and why the scary setup reputation isn't your problem. Online Play & VTTs How to Play D&D Online - The Complete Setup Everything you need to play D&D online - the Discord plus VTT stack, gear that matters, finding an online table, and first-session etiquette for voice. Online Play & VTTs New Player's Guide to Roll20 (Join a Game in 15 Minutes) A new player's guide to Roll20 - joining your first game, reading your character sheet, rolling dice, and the five features you actually need on day one. Online Play & VTTs Best VTT for Beginners - Roll20 vs Foundry vs Owlbear Roll20, Foundry VTT, and Owlbear Rodeo compared honestly for new players and GMs — cost, setup time, learning curve, and who should actually pick which.

Play in Utah

Our tables, our stores, and everywhere else to roll dice along the Wasatch Front.

Play in Utah D&D Date Night - Yes, It's a Real (Great) Date D&D as a date night - duet games for two, couples at store tables, why collaborative pretend beats dinner-and-a-movie, and how to pitch it to a skeptic. Play in Utah Conclash - Inside the World's Largest D&D Game Conclash (formerly Dead Wars) is the Guinness World Record D&D event - 1,227 simultaneous players in 2023, bigger since. How it works and how to join. Play in Utah D&D for Corporate Team Building (Yes, Really) Why D&D works for corporate team building - what a facilitated session looks like, remote and in-person formats, pricing, and how to pitch it to HR. Play in Utah Game Store D&D Night - What to Expect Your First Time Never been to a game store D&D night? What actually happens, what it costs, the etiquette locals know, and why the store table beats a stranger's basement. Play in Utah D&D Birthday Parties - Hire a GM, Rent a Table, Slay a Dragon How a D&D birthday party works - hiring a professional GM, private table bookings, what ages it fits, and why it beats another bowling alley year. Play in Utah Where to Play D&D in Utah - The Full Map Where to play D&D in Utah - bookable GM-run tables in Provo and Sandy, the Wasatch Front scene, conventions, and online games in your timezone. Play in Utah D&D Near Me - How to Actually Find Local Games Searching "D&D near me"? The four places local games actually hide - game stores, libraries, campus clubs, and booking platforms - and how to vet each. Play in Utah Where to Play D&D in Sandy, Utah (Salt Lake Valley) Where to play D&D in Sandy and the Salt Lake Valley - the sci-fi outpost game store with bookable GM-run tables, plus the valley's other options. Play in Utah Where to Play D&D in Provo, Utah Where to play D&D in Provo - the medieval tavern game store running weekly GM-led tables, plus campus clubs, LFG boards, and how to get seated fast.

Miniature Painting

Paints, brushes, and techniques — from your first mini to batch-painting a warband.

Miniature Painting Zenithal Priming and Slap Chop, Explained Properly Zenithal priming and the slap chop method - how pre-painting your lighting works, the rattle-can and drybrush versions, and where the technique breaks. Miniature Painting How to Varnish Miniatures (Matte, Gloss, and When) How to varnish miniatures so the paint survives play - brush-on vs spray, matte vs gloss vs satin, frosting rescue, and the two-coat trick for gaming minis. Miniature Painting Wet Palettes - The Best $15 in Miniature Painting What a wet palette does, how to make one from a sandwich box for $3, when to buy the real thing, and the mold mistake everyone makes exactly once. Miniature Painting How to Strip Paint Off Miniatures (Without Melting Them) How to strip paint from plastic, resin, and metal miniatures - which cleaners are safe per material, soak times, and what never to use on plastic. Miniature Painting How to Paint Miniatures Fast (Batch Painting) How to batch paint miniatures fast - the assembly-line method, a 20-goblin weekend plan, and the corners you can cut without the minis looking cut. Miniature Painting Dry Brushing vs. Layering - Which Highlight Method First? Dry brushing vs. layering for miniature highlights - how each works, what each is best at, and why beginners should learn drybrushing first. Miniature Painting Miniature Painting Starter Kit - What You Actually Need The complete miniature painting starter kit for about $75 - the exact shopping list, what each piece does, and the gear you should skip for now. Miniature Painting How to Thin Acrylic Paint for Miniatures How to thin acrylic paint for minis - the milk consistency test, water vs. medium, how many drops, and why thick paint is eating your detail. Miniature Painting How to Prime Miniatures (and Which Primer to Buy) How to prime miniatures without losing detail - spray vs. brush-on vs. zenithal, which primer color to pick, and the humidity mistake that ruins minis. Miniature Painting Best Brushes for Miniature Painting (Start With Two) Which brushes you actually need for miniature painting - the two-brush starter answer, synthetic vs. sable, sizes explained, and how to make brushes last. Miniature Painting Speedpaint vs. Traditional Paint - Which Should You Use? Speedpaints and traditional acrylics compared honestly — speed, control, cost, and finish — plus a simple rule for which to use on any given miniature. Miniature Painting How to Paint Your First Miniature (Step by Step) A no-experience-needed walkthrough for painting your first miniature — supplies under $70, priming, speedpaints, and the mistakes that ruin first minis. Miniature Painting Best Speedpaints for Beginners (2026 Guide) The best speedpaints for beginners compared — Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0, Citadel Contrast, and Vallejo Xpress Color — plus the 8 colors to buy first.

Dice & Gear

What to buy, what to skip, and what the differences actually mean at the table.

Dice & Gear Best Gifts for D&D Players (From People Who Sell Them) The best gifts for D&D players at every budget - what actually delights, what they secretly already own, and the one gift that beats every object. Dice & Gear Sharp Edge vs. Tumbled Dice - What You're Really Paying For Sharp edge dice vs. standard tumbled dice - how each is made, why sharp edges cost 3-5x more, the balance claims examined, and which is right for you. Dice & Gear How to Tell If Dice Are Balanced (Salt Water Test) How to test dice balance with the salt water float test, what actually causes biased dice, and the honest truth about whether your d20 is cursed. Dice & Gear Dice Trays and Dice Towers - Which One Do You Need? Dice trays vs. dice towers compared - what each solves, materials and prices, table etiquette, and which to buy first for home games and game nights. Dice & Gear Are Metal Dice Worth It? An Honest Answer Whether metal dice are worth the money - what $30-50 actually buys, the dice tray tax nobody mentions, and who should skip metal entirely. Dice & Gear What Dice Do You Need for D&D? Every Die Explained The seven dice D&D uses, explained for someone holding them for the first time - how to read each one, what it rolls, and which die you'll use most. Dice & Gear How Many Dice Do You Need for D&D? One 7-die set is enough to play D&D. Here's what each die does, when a second set and extra d6s become worth it, and what dice your class actually rolls. Dice & Gear Dice Materials Compared - Resin, Metal, Stone & More Acrylic, resin, metal, gemstone, and wood dice compared for feel, durability, balance, table manners, and price — and which material fits how you play.