Owlbear Rodeo

Owlbear Rodeo

Owlbear Rodeo is a streamlined virtual tabletop that operates entirely in your browser. It manages battle maps, tokens, drawing tools, measuring, and simple fog of war, allowing everyone to see positioning at a glance. It keeps the focus on conversation and decisions at the table, rather than on software overhead. Ideal for quick scenes, one-shots, and theatre-of-the-mind with a light visual aid.

For players, setup is minimal. You simply follow an invite link and the map opens directly in your browser. There is nothing to install, and there are no player fees. Any modern desktop browser works well, and a laptop or large tablet enhances viewing and moving tokens smoothly.

A professional Game Master often pairs Owlbear Rodeo with Discord or Zoom for voice and video, along with online character sheets or dice rollers that your group already uses. If you want to compare online options, see the overview of online play platforms.

How to use Owlbear Rodeo

Before the game starts, ensure your browser is updated and check your internet connection. Your Game Master will send an invite link. No account is required. Click the link, enter a display name, and the tabletop will open in your browser. If possible, use a laptop or desktop, and a mouse is helpful for moving tokens and panning maps. Owlbear Rodeo does not have built-in voice or video, so please join the Discord or Zoom call provided by your Game Master. Test your microphone and speakers there, and confirm you can see the map and move your token.

Two friends playing D&D at a table with dice and a human skull prop, deep in conversation during their role-playing game.
Two friends playing D&D at a table with dice and a human skull prop, deep in conversation during their role-playing game.
Purple eight-sided die with gold numbers 5 and 8 visible.
Purple eight-sided die with gold numbers 5 and 8 visible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Owlbear Rodeo account to join?

Players do not need an account. Your Game Master will send a room link, you enter a display name, and you're in. No installation required.

Which devices and browsers are most compatible with it?

A recent desktop browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari works well. Laptops are ideal for moving tokens and viewing maps. Large tablets are usable, but phones are not recommended. A mouse or trackpad makes panning and dragging smoother.

Does it support voice or video, and will I need a webcam?

Owlbear Rodeo does not support voice or video. You will need to use a separate call, usually Discord or Zoom, for audio and optional video. A headset or earbuds with a microphone ensure clear sound and minimise echo. A webcam is optional unless your group prefers video.

Can we use it alongside Discord, Zoom, or online character sheets?

Yes. Keep Owlbear Rodeo open for the map and tokens, and run your voice call along with character sheets or dice rollers in other tabs or windows. No special integration is required. If you are comparing online tools, see the overview of online play platforms here.

Booking Form


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What players think

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a really good job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot and yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His attitude was fantastic, and he made the game enjoyable for all. I particularly appreciated how he could clearly explain what was required from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a wonderful time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thank you!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I arranged a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is very enthusiastic about it, and he was thoroughly pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • A very good GM, Baptiste adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. One issue was with the character sheets provided, which were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells (no healing spell) even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they'd ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach enabled the players to fully immerse themselves in the game by allowing them to control how they wanted their actions to be carried out. I would certainly work with her again.

    John

  • A pleasant and straightforward introduction to D&D. Amber was adept at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the rhythm and concentrate on the narrative. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack strategies was an enjoyable experience and provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a highly enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

  • Pim is truly brilliant as a DM! Cheerful, adaptable, and exceptionally experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in an enjoyable manner and engaged every player in the story, regardless of whether they were vocal or reserved. If you embark on an adventure with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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