12 Ways to Fix Your Broken Online D&D Game

1. Keep Cameras On for Better Engagement

Seeing each other’s faces makes a huge difference in keeping everyone engaged. Body language, facial expressions, and eye contact help players stay invested in the game. Plus, as a DM, it’s easier to "read the table" and gauge how players are feeling when you can see their reactions.

2. Use Voice Chat, Not Text

D&D is a game of conversation and collaboration, so use voice chat instead of relying on text. Talking is faster, more immersive, and prevents the game from dragging. Avoid play-by-text unless it’s absolutely necessary—it slows everything down and makes it harder for players to stay engaged. Also, keep cross-talk and side conversations to a minimum so that everyone stays focused.

3. Improve Your Narrative Descriptions

With online distractions just a tab away, players can lose focus quickly. One way to counter this is by using vivid, engaging descriptions for combat, environments, and NPCs. Paint a picture with your words, and keep your players hooked on the world you’re building.

4. Take Advantage of Technology

Virtual Tabletops (VTTs) offer tons of useful tools, so use them to enhance your game. Features like automated modifiers, spell trackers, and condition markers help keep things organized. Add music, ambient soundscapes, and custom artwork to bring the game world to life. A well-placed image can be more immersive than a thousand words of description.

5. Resolve Tech Issues Before the Game

There’s nothing worse than wasting the first 30 minutes of a session troubleshooting someone’s microphone or a lagging VTT. Make sure everyone checks their internet connection, headsets, and software updates before game time. A little tech prep goes a long way in preventing frustration.

6. Ditch Technology if It’s Slowing You Down

Sometimes, technology is more of a hindrance than a help. If your online dice roller isn’t working, switch to physical dice. If your video feed is glitchy, turn off cameras and focus on the game. If Roll20 is lagging into oblivion, run the session using Theater of the Mind instead. Don’t let software kill the fun.

7. Don’t Skip Relationship-Building

One of the best parts of in-person D&D is hanging out before and after the game. Online games tend to skip this entirely, but you shouldn’t. Take time for small talk, catching up, and bonding. A few minutes of chatting before and after sessions helps build camaraderie, which translates to better roleplaying and teamwork.

8. Use Premade Maps for Easy Prep

Building maps from scratch is time-consuming. Instead, buy and use premade maps to save yourself hours of prep. Design dungeons around the maps you have, instead of the other way around. And if you’re looking for high-quality, ready-to-use maps, check out our map packs that make your life easier.

9. Skip Dynamic Lighting—Use Fog of War

Dynamic lighting sounds cool, but in some VTTs, it eats up system resources and can obscure important map details. Instead, use simple Fog of War, which loads faster, is easier to set up, and keeps the game moving smoothly. Less prep, fewer glitches, and a better experience for everyone.

10. Organize Your Game Space

Set up your physical and digital space for maximum efficiency. Keep one monitor dedicated to the game (VTT, Zoom, or Discord) and another for reference materials. Have physical dice, books, and notes nearby so you don’t waste time digging for them mid-game. A well-organized setup helps you run a smoother, more confident session.

11. Address Players Directly

Online play can make quiet players even quieter, while the more talkative ones dominate the conversation. Instead of asking, "Okay, what do you guys do?", call on players by name: "John, what do you do?". This ensures everyone gets a chance to participate and helps keep the game moving forward.

12. Run Shorter Sessions

Online games demand more focus than in-person games, and attention spans wane faster. Instead of running long, drawn-out sessions, aim for shorter, high-energy sessions. A solid 2-3 hours of focused, engaging play is often better than a 5-hour slog where everyone is checking their phones.

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