It can be fun getting into a squabble with some goblins in a dungeon, or facing off against an army of Jem’Hadar. But what about those times you want to play a roleplaying game where violence is off the table? Here are some picks for those times when you’d prefer a little romance, mystery, or some good old fashioned Shakespearean drama.
We’ve put together a list of some excellent non-combat tabletop roleplaying games—or ones where it’s very easy to remove any form of combat. That said, most tabletop RPGs can be combat-lite or free with a bit of adjusting, including Mouse Guard and Call of Cthulhu. Even Dungeons & Dragons can be free of combat, though it would take a lot of modification. Let us know some of your favourite non-combat roleplaying games in the comments.
Til Dawn
I previously mentioned this campaign in my list of RPG resources for playing online, but I wanted to give it a special shout-out because it is so much fun. Taking place in a distant future where music has become a multi-layered form of expression, Til Dawn is a campaign that uses the Fate Core system. Players take on the role of deejays who’ve been sent to a futuristic music festival to battle it out for audible supremacy (think Eurovision meets RuPaul’s Drag Race). What’s great about Til Dawn is that it’s not about combat, it’s about performance. Players use a mix of rich, detailed costumes and heart-stopping music to create fabulous shows, describing every moment in extreme detail. Til Dawn is available on DriveThruRPG for a “pay what you can” suggested donation. The Fate Core system is required to play it.
Romance in the Air
Romance in the Air is another Fate World adventure, this time taking us back in time to an alternate version of fin de siècle Europe—one where dirigibles and international intrigue reign supreme. Players take on the role of passengers and crew on an airship that’s dripping in luxury, but hiding behind the fabulous parties, high-stakes gambling, and excursions around the world lies a conspiracy involving the succession of a Central European province…and possibly a world war. With everyone trying to win something—whether it’s love, money, or power—it’s only a matter of time before the dream of this ship comes crashing down. Romance in the Air is available on itch.io for a “pay what you can” suggested donation. The Fate Core system is required to play it.
Primetime Adventures
Primetime Adventures is a tabletop roleplaying game where players work together to create their own television show. One player takes on the role of the producer who’s building the story while the others are protagonists helping (or hindering) to move things along. What’s great about this RPG is you can play it as an easy one-off, like a single episode or made-for-TV movie, or string together multiple sessions to make a season of a television show. Primetime Adventures is available to purchase on Dog Eared Designs’ website. It costs $US25 ($39) for the print edition, which comes with a free digital PDF.
Tales From the Loop
Anyone who knows me knows I love the Tales From the Loop tabletop roleplaying game. Players take on the roles of 10- to 15-year-old kids living in a small town where anything and everything is possible, struggling to deal with otherworldly events and the “stranger things” about coming of age in the 1980s. Combat is heavily discouraged in this game and easy to avoid entirely—in fact, the rulebook makes a point of stating that player characters cannot be killed. Instead, the focus is on investigation, cooperation, and emotional connection. Tales From the Loop is available on Modiphius’ website for about $40.
Golden Sky Stories
Golden Sky Stories is an English-language adaptation of Yuuyake Koyake, a family-friendly tabletop roleplaying game where players take on the role of henge, or “animals with just a little magical power, including the ability to temporarily take human form.” Not only is combat forbidden in Golden Sky Stories, but violent acts can also be punished in the game. Instead, it’s about working together to solve problems, growing as friends in the meantime. There are plenty of expansions that add new characters and scenarios, including an English countryside with fairies and even a village in a high fantasy realm. Golden Sky Stories is available on DriveThruRPG for $16.
Fiasco
Fiasco is a hilarious disaster—and I mean that in the best sense. The GM-less roleplaying game dumps all players smack dab in the middle of a caper going horribly wrong. Taking on the role of average people trying to do something way out of their depth, everyone “works” together to make things as terrible as possible, going from one disastrous situation to the next as every person tries to get ahead of the game. Players can technically fight each other if they get mad enough, but it’s not a set game mechanic and is easily avoided. Fiasco is available at DriveThruRPG for $19.
Threadbare
Threadbare is a “stitchpunk” roleplaying game where each player is a jury-rigged toy that lives in a broken world. Using the Apocalypse World engine, this is a game about creation and repair—combat in Threadbare is extremely rare, and if it ever happens it’s resolved quickly without the use of dice. Instead, players focus on patching themselves up, creating new inventions, and making friends with fellow players. After all: It’s a dangerous world out there, for a toy. Threadbare is available on DriveThruRPG for $14.
The Play’s the Thing
I’ve saved what might be the wackiest one for last. The Play’s the Thing is your chance to rewrite Shakespeare…and get it right, dammit! Players take on the role of actors performing a production from the Playwright, but they all have “ideas” on how they want to improve the source material. As everyone works through the different acts of the play, actors can make suggestions to the Playwright to improve the work…or even try and sabotage it if things aren’t going their way. Anything goes when you’re on the stage. The Play’s the Thing is available on DriveThruRPG for $11 on sale (normally $30).