Definitions, concepts, and system terms
RPG Glossary
Browse 742+ tabletop RPG terms with cross-system comparisons and examples.
Tabletop RPGs reuse plain English words for very specific mechanics, and every system defines them a little differently. “Difficulty” in one game is a target number you roll against; in another it's how many dice you remove from your pool before rolling. This glossary collects those definitions in one searchable place, tagged by the system each one belongs to.
Search by term, filter by system or by category, or browse a guided learning track if you're new to a system and want the core vocabulary in the order you'll need it. Each entry links out to where the term is used, a rules page, a cheat sheet, or a character creation guide, so you're never stuck at a definition with nowhere to go next.
Learning Tracks
Guided paths to learn RPG concepts step by step, from basics to advanced topics.
Essential terms every new player should know before their first game
8 terms
How different games use dice to resolve actions
7 terms
Core concepts for tactical encounters
7 terms
Key concepts for running games
9 terms
Social norms and expectations for healthy gaming
6 terms