Tabletop Gaming Guide: Wargames, RPGs and Board Games
Walk into any games shop and you will see three worlds sharing the shelves: boxes of intricate plastic soldiers, thick rulebooks with dragons on the cover, and colourful board games that look as though they were designed by someone who loves cardboard. They overlap, but they are not the same thing. This tabletop gaming guide explains the three main branches, what you actually do in each, what they tend to cost in time and money, and how to pick your first game without wasting an afternoon or a month’s budget.
What Counts as Tabletop Gaming?
Tabletop gaming is a broad label for games played face to face around a table, usually with physical components such as cards, dice, tokens, maps or miniature figures. Some are competitive, some are cooperative, and some are mostly shared storytelling. The three branches covered here are the ones most hobby shops and clubs organise around:
- Miniature wargames: two or more players command armies or squads of figures.
- Tabletop roleplaying games (RPGs): players each control a character while one person, often called the game master, guides the story.
- Board and card games: self-contained games with fixed components and rules, from quick family games to long strategy games.
Plenty of hobbyists enjoy all three, and many games blur the lines, for example skirmish games with campaign storylines or board games that include miniatures.
Miniature Wargames
What you do
In a wargame, you build a collection of miniatures, learn a rule set, and play battles on a table decorated with terrain. Rules usually use dice to resolve shooting, fighting and morale. Games might involve a handful of figures (skirmish) or dozens or hundreds (larger battles).
What attracts people
Wargames combine tactics with craft. Many players enjoy the building and painting just as much as the playing. A well-painted army on a good-looking table is part of the appeal, and some people collect and paint far more than they play.
What you need
- A rulebook or rules app.
- A starting force of miniatures.
- Dice, measuring tools and sometimes templates or cards.
- A table surface and some terrain, though many clubs provide these.
- Time to assemble and paint, if you choose to.
Things to know
Armies can be a significant investment. Many beginners begin with a starter box or a small skirmish force before committing to a bigger collection. Rules change through updated editions, so it is worth checking which version your local group uses. If painting appeals, our guide to miniature painting for beginners will help you get started.
Tabletop Roleplaying Games
What you do
A group sits together and tells a story. Each player controls a character, describing what they do, while the game master presents the world, the problems and the non-player characters. Dice or other mechanics determine uncertain outcomes. Sessions can be one-offs or part of a campaign running for months or years.
What attracts people
Creativity, teamwork and surprise. You are not simply playing against anyone; you are building a story together. Many players say the best moments are the unplanned ones, such as a clever plan that works, or an utterly disastrous one that everyone remembers.
What you need
- A core rulebook, or a free quick-start guide.
- Dice, pencils and character sheets.
- A group of friends, or a local club or online community.
- Someone willing to run the game.
Miniatures in roleplaying
Many groups use miniatures and maps to show positions in combat, although some play entirely in the imagination. Painting a figure of your own character is a popular crossover with the model-making side of the hobby.
Things to know
Being game master is rewarding but takes preparation. Many published adventures reduce the workload. A short “session zero” meeting to agree on tone, boundaries and expectations helps everyone enjoy the game.
Board and Card Games
What you do
You open a box, read or learn the rules, and play. Everything you need is in the box. Games range from ten-minute fillers to multi-hour strategy sessions.
What attracts people
Accessibility. Most board games can be learned in a short time and played with minimal preparation. Many suit families, mixed-age groups or evenings with friends who do not consider themselves gamers.
Types you may meet
- Gateway or family games: simple rules, quick turns, ideal for beginners.
- Strategy games: deeper decisions, longer playing time.
- Cooperative games: everyone works together against the game itself.
- Party games: large groups, short rounds, lots of laughter.
- Card games and deckbuilders: compact and portable.
- Hybrid games: board games with detailed miniatures or campaign elements.
Things to know
Check player counts and playing time on the box. A game that is excellent at four players might be dull at two. Learning rules from a video tutorial can save the awkward ten minutes of reading aloud.
Comparing the Three at a Glance
| Feature | Miniature wargames | Tabletop RPGs | Board and card games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main appeal | Tactics, collecting, painting | Storytelling, character | Easy to learn, social |
| Preparation | Moderate to high | Moderate (higher for game master) | Low |
| Cost pattern | Ongoing as collection grows | Often modest: books, dice | Per game, one-off purchases |
| Players | Usually two or more opponents | Group of three to six typical | Varies, from solo to large groups |
| Time per session | One to several hours | Two to four hours typical | Fifteen minutes to several hours |
| Craft element | Strong: build and paint | Optional: miniatures, maps | Minimal |
These are general patterns, not rules. Individual games vary widely.
How to Choose Your First Game
Ask yourself a few honest questions.
- Do I want to compete, cooperate or tell a story? Wargames and many board games suit competition; RPGs and cooperative games suit teamwork.
- How much time can I commit? A board game can fit into an evening; a wargame army or RPG campaign needs regular sessions.
- Do I like making things? If so, wargames and miniatures will reward you.
- Who will I play with? Check for local clubs, hobby shop events or online groups before buying anything big.
- What is my budget? Start small. Many shops sell starter sets, and clubs often let newcomers try games before committing.
If you are unsure, try a cooperative board game with friends, then a one-shot RPG session, then a demo wargame at a local shop. Three experiences will tell you far more than reading reviews.
Finding People to Play With
- Local hobby shops often host open evenings and beginner nights.
- Clubs and societies run regular sessions and may offer loan copies of games.
- Conventions and gaming days are good places to try several games in a weekend.
- Online communities and video tabletops help if you live far from a club.
- Friends and family are a perfectly good place to begin with simple board games.
Check opening times and event details directly with the venue.
Building a Sensible Collection
A recurring beginner trap is buying too much at once. The excitement of a new hobby tends to produce a pile of unplayed boxes. A better approach is to buy one thing, play or paint it, and decide what you want next. Secondhand markets and club swap sessions can make the hobby much cheaper. Always check that second-hand games and miniatures are complete before paying.
If painting becomes part of your hobby, a small tidy space matters. Our guide to building a compact hobby space at home explains how to arrange one on a modest budget.
Etiquette and Good Table Habits
- Arrive on time and tell the group if you are running late.
- Learn the basic rules before the session when you can.
- Be a gracious winner and loser.
- Respect other people’s models, books and boards.
- Ask before touching anyone’s painted figures.
- Keep the table tidy, and offer to help pack away.
Good tabletop culture is largely common courtesy, and it is why so many groups last for years.
Miniature Painting for Beginners: Tools and First Steps
How to Build a Compact Hobby Space at Home
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tabletop gaming expensive?
It can be as cheap or expensive as you choose. A single board game or a free RPG quick-start is inexpensive, while a large painted army costs more in both money and time. Start small and build gradually.
Do I need to paint miniatures to play wargames?
No. Many people play with unpainted models, and some clubs have no rule on it. Painting adds enjoyment for many players, but it is optional unless an event requires it.
What is the easiest way to try roleplaying?
Find a one-shot session at a shop, club or convention, or use a free introductory guide with friends. A short first game with a patient game master is ideal.
Can children play these games?
Many board games and some RPGs are designed for younger players. Always check the age guidance on the box or rulebook.
Conclusion
Tabletop gaming is not one hobby but several, and you are likely to enjoy different branches for different reasons: wargames for tactics and craft, roleplaying games for shared stories, and board games for easy, sociable evenings. Try each in a small way before investing heavily, find people to play with, and let your interests guide what ends up on your shelf. Next time you are in a games shop, ask about a demo or a beginner night. It is the quickest route into a hobby that rewards curiosity.