Are you ready to bring your D&D Fifth Edition campaign into the online space? Fantasy Grounds is a powerful virtual tabletop platform that allows you to play your favorite tabletop role-playing games online. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the basics of setting up and using Fantasy Grounds, so you can get started with your online gaming experience.

If you’re new to Fantasy Grounds, be prepared for a learning curve. Even after three years of using it, there are still features and functionalities that I discover and use infrequently. But worry not, in this tutorial, we’ll cover all the essential information you need to get up and running and start playing games on Fantasy Grounds.

Step 1: Creating a New Campaign

To start, open up your copy of Fantasy Grounds. When creating your first campaign, click on the “Create New Campaign” button. This will open an interface where you can name your campaign, choose a username (usually “Dungeon Master”), and set a password for your game.

On the left side of the interface, you can select your rule set. Fantasy Grounds already has several built-in rule sets for you to choose from. For D&D Fifth Edition, click on “Fifth Edition” to enable the necessary extensions. You can also select additional themes or language options if desired.

On the right side of the interface, you’ll find your internal and external IP addresses, as well as your alias information. This generates four random words that your players can use to connect to the game instead of using an IP address. Click on the “Connection Test” button to ensure that your connection is successful. If it fails, you may need to enable port forwarding on your router. Check the description for a link to instructions on how to do this.

Once you have named your campaign and completed the necessary settings, click “Start” to begin loading the program. Please note that the initial loading time may vary depending on the size of your local files. If you have a large campaign with multiple years’ worth of content, it may take longer to load.

Step 2: Navigating the Interface

After loading, the Fantasy Grounds interface will appear. Before diving into the program’s features, let’s take a quick tour of the interface.

  • Bottom Left: The dice roller and modifiers are located here. You can roll different types of dice, apply modifiers, and view the results in the chat box.
  • Bottom Center: The hotbar, which allows you to stack multiple dice and elements of your character sheet. This feature is especially helpful for players, saving time when rolling multiple dice.
  • Main Window: This central area displays various elements of the program as you open them. Right-clicking on the chat box allows you to resize it and create more screen real estate.
  • Right Side: The tabs on the right provide access to different features of Fantasy Grounds. We’ll explore each tab in detail throughout this tutorial.
  • Top Right: Several small buttons offer additional functionalities. These include the combat tracker, party sheet, calendar, pallet tool, lighting tool, modifiers, and effects. Each button serves a specific purpose within the program.
  • Settings: In the settings menu, you can customize various aspects of Fantasy Grounds, such as dice roll visibility, inspiration slots, and other preferences. Take your time to explore the different options and tailor the program to your preferences.

Step 3: Creating a Player Character

Now that you are familiar with the interface, let’s create a player character. Click on the “PCs” tab to open the character selection screen. This is what your players will see when they join your game for the first time.

To create a new character, click on the green “Add Item” icon. A character sheet will appear, which you can resize and position as desired. The character sheet contains all the necessary information and details for your player character.

Key Points to Remember

  • Fantasy Grounds is a virtual tabletop platform for playing tabletop role-playing games online.
  • Set up your campaign by creating a new campaign, choosing a rule set (such as D&D Fifth Edition), and configuring your connection settings.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Fantasy Grounds interface, including the dice roller, hotbar, main window, tabs, small buttons, and settings menu.
  • Customize the program to suit your preferences.
  • Create player characters by accessing the “PCs” tab and adding character sheets.

In conclusion, Fantasy Grounds is an excellent tool for playing D&D Fifth Edition and other RPG games online. This tutorial has provided you with the necessary steps to get started, from creating your campaign and navigating the interface to creating player characters. With this knowledge, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on exciting online gaming adventures with your friends.

Unlock the full potential of Fantasy Grounds and bring your imagination to life in the virtual world. Happy gaming!