Dungeons & Dragonsand other tabletop games allow you to dive into a fantasy world where nearly anything goes. There is so much you may do during a play session: Embark on an adventure through a land of magic or dragons, explore a futuristic city in a dystopian society, or assume the role of your favorite characters in fan-made continuations of their stories outside their respective media.
If you can imagine it, you can play it. And as fun as it is to playD&Dand other TTRPGcampaigns,it can be just as fun to watch others play through them.Whether you don’t have the time to coordinate tabletop gaming nights, or you’re looking for some long-form content to play while you work or clean the house, that’s where Actual Plays.
Actual Play campaigns are recordedD&D(and other tabletop game) sessions that allow you to watch other people play through a campaign. Get to know their characters and follow them on anadventure that takes place entirely within the imagination. There are plenty of Actual Play recordings available online, but some stand out as excellent places to start for anyone curious.
5Critical Role Is The Most Well-Known Of The Actual Plays
Led By Game Master Matthew Mercer
Critical Roleprobably needs no introduction. Anyone who’s delved into the online world of Actual Plays has probably heard of this group of players, which hasover 2.5 million followersatCritical Roleon YouTube.
There’s a good reason why this show has become as popular as it has. Led by Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer, the eight cast members haveundeniable charisma and chemistry, making it a treat to watch them interact and create entire worlds together.
This long-running program started when a bunch of friends got together to play for the first time. After a few years, the sessions were shared online in collaboration with Felicia Day and were hosted onGeek & Sundryfrom 2015 until 2019. The games continue to this day, and areavailable to watch in full on YouTube.
Critical Rolehas gone throughthree full campaigns and several shorter one-shots. If you’re not sure where to start, it’s worth going all the way back to the first campaign that started it all:Vox Machina,all 121 episodes of which are available on Critical RoleYouTube. To test the waters with a shorter piece,The Search for Grogis set in theVox Machinauniverse, but runs under four hours and can be watched onYouTubein one sitting.
Matthew Mercer is anexceptionally emotive Game Masterwho brings every campaign and character to life, thanks to hishistory as a voice actor for well-known rolessuch as Leon S. Kennedy in theResident Evilfranchise and Jotaro Kujo inJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. The fourth campaign is scheduled to begin in October, led for the first time by Brennan Lee Mulligan.
4Dimension 20 Brings Unique Worlds To The Table
Led By Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan
Dimension 20is a series ofD&Dcampaigns that areperfect for fans who want something other than a typical fantasy setting.
The original show began in 2018 on College Humor and is currently ongoing on the subscription service that it morphed into, Dropout. Most of the show is locked behind that subscription service, which is worth the monthly fee for hilarious programs likeVery Important PeopleandGame Changer.
However, someside one-shots and the entire first campaign,Fantasy High,are available to watch for free on theDimension 20YouTube channel. This means you’re able to get a taste of DM Brennan Lee Mulligan’s oftenfunny and well-thought-out plots and characters.
Mulligan leads a cast of excellent players with abackground in theater and improvonexciting themed adventures, from magic high schools to aGame of Thronesversion ofCandy Land.
3Dungeon Dudes Boasts Approachable, Down-Home Storytelling
Led By Game Master Monty Martin
The Dungeon Dudes consist of Monty Martin and Kelly McLaughlin, and their campaigns are more typical of what you might play yourself. It lacks the glitz, glam, and production value of Critical Role and Dimension 20, but that makes their videosmore approachable and realistic,which might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Although the Dungeon Dudes now mostly postD&Dlists, DMing tips, class overviews, and more, there’s also amulti-year campaignto follow for some long-form Actual Play watching.
The main campaign from the Dungeon Dudes isDungeons of Drakkenheimand its followup,Shadows of Drakkenheim,both available on theDungeon DudesYouTube channel.
Follow over 100 episodes set in theEldritch-horror-inspired city of Drakkenheim,led by DM Monty Martin, who provides a structured and story-first approach to DMing.
2High Rollers DnD Features Engaging Storytelling And Epic Worlds
Led By Game Master Mark Hulmes
High Rollers DnD is a UK-based group that has been creating campaigns and actual plays since 2016. Their games blendD&D5e with homebrew elements, offering an experience thatfeels both familiar and unique.
The High Rollers are guided by DM Mark Hulmes, whose DMing style feels quite likelistening to someone read you an epic fantasy story.He provides richly detailed descriptions to guide the five-player party through their adventures.
A good place to start is their second campaign, which ran in 2018 and is available on theHigh Rollers DnDYouTube channel. TitledAerois,this campaign features ahigh fantasy world of airships, floating cities, and ancient ruins.
There arenearly 200 episodes, each over 2.5 hours long,and each contains a full quest, making every video feel like a one-shot.
13 Black Halflings Adventure Through Lands Rooted In Real-World Mythology
Led By Game Master Jeremy Cobb
The 3 Black Halflings group consists of Jasper W. Cartwright, Jeremy Cobb, and Liv Kennedy. Their small team ofteninvites experienced players from other groupsto participate in their Actual Plays, making each campaign feel new and fresh.
Jeremy Cobb DMs most of their campaigns, creating living worlds influenced by real cultures. Cobb’s style isvery player-forward, oftenletting his adventurers take the leadand tell the story through their eyes for a very different, more collaborative feel to DMing.
Their most beloved world, where several campaigns take place, is the land of Wagadu, afantasy realm inspired by African mythology and culture.Here, adventurers called Fallen often find themselves inexplicably within, embarking on magical adventures.
The team’s Actual Plays are mainly hosted via podcast, not video, which can be found on the3 Black Halflingswebsite. However,Tales of Wagadu: The Curse of the Spider Queenis available to watch in full on the3 Black HalflingsYouTube channel if you prefer a more visualDungeons & DragonsTTRPG experience.
