What is this game about? A modernized old-school fantasy RPG where players explore dungeons, face deadly monsters, and uncover lore using streamlined, intuitive mechanics.
Game lineage and inspiration: Rising from the Old-School Renaissance movement, Shadowdark distills classic D&D dungeon-crawl ethos into one essential tome. Also a winner of multiple 2024 ENNIE awards for Best Game and Best Layout & Design.
What makes Shadowdark RPG unique?
One-book OSR: All rules, monsters, and magic in a single volume for drop-in play.
Torch & Visibility mechanics: Innovative light and field-of-view rules heighten tension in every exploration.
Modular adventure tools: Random dungeon tables, encounter frameworks, and solo-play options built right in.
Who will love it?
OSR enthusiasts craving a streamlined dungeon-crawl.
D&D 5E players seeking a nostalgic, low-prep alternative.
GMs who want award-winning layout and drop-ready content.
Dice System
Core Mechanic: Roll a d20 + ability modifiers against a target number; use d4–d12 dice for damage, hit points, and random tables.
Dice Needed: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20 (Full "standard" set of polyhedral dice)
A Helpful Video: "Shadowdark RPG Game Master Tips & Tricks"
