Engaging DnD Tavern Games for Your Campaign
Imagine yourself sitting in a bustling tavern in the heart of a fantasy world, surrounded by adventurers from all walks of life. The air is filled with the scent of ale and the sound of laughter as characters swap tales of their daring exploits. As you take a sip of your own tankard, you notice a group of adventurers huddled around a table, engrossed in a game. Curiosity piques your interest, and you decide to join in.
Unique Tavern Games for Character Development
Incorporating unique tavern games into your D&D campaign can be a game-changer for character development. These role-playing tavern activities can reveal hidden talents, strengthen bonds, and create memorable moments for your players. Some of my players love the gambling in the taverns, so I always have to have to have a couple of games ready to pull out whenever they stop in a town. By adding these minigames to your campaign you can enhance the roleplaying experience and create a more immersive world. Here are some of my favorites that I have collected over the years.
Darts
It is very easy to mimic a game of darts with a D20. Just use the following and let the players add thier Dexterity modifier:
| Dice Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Miss |
| 3-10 | Hit Outer Ring, 1pt |
| 11-15 | Hit Middle Ring, 2pts |
| 16-18 | Hit Inner Ring, 3pts |
| 19-20+ | Bullseye, 5 pts |
Give the player 3-5 darts to throw and calculate their score.
Threes Away
This is a last man standing game. Players can bet whatever they like; player puts an ante into the pot and DM matches. Players all roll 5d6 at the same time. A
- Players take turns rolling 5d6. All numbers on the die are face value except for 3’s which are worth 0. Lowest score wins the pot.
Dead Eye Dice
This is a last man standing game. Players can bet whatever they like; player puts an ante into the pot and the house (DM) matches.
Each player rolls a d20, d12, d10, d8, d6, and d4. Any time you roll a 1 on any die you need to discard your largest die (d20, then d12, etc.). If you get more than one 1 then you discard that many die starting with your largest and working your way down. Players then re-roll the dice they have left and play continues like this. The last person with dice remaining in their hand wins the pot.
Black Jack
It is fairly easy to model Black Jack with a d6 and a d4. Players roll a d6 and d4 in the open, dealer rolls just the d6 in the open and keeps their d4 roll hidden. You can hit by rolling additional d4s, but if your total is greater than 10, you bust.
Crown & Anchor
This is a simple betting game. Players can put any amount of gold on a grid numbered 1 through 6. If you don’t want to make a grid have them place a d8 in front of them on a number between 1 and 6. They then roll 3d6 one time.
If 1 die matches their bet number, they win their money back. If 2 dice match their bet number, they win 2X the bet. If 3 dice match their number, they win 3X the original bet. If no die match their bet number, they lose the original bet.
Secret Shaker
This is an interesting strategy game. Each player puts an ante into the pot and house (DM() matches. Everyone rolls a d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20 in secret. Higher numbers are better.
Each round all players take one die they rolled and move it to the middle of the table with their hand covering it. All players reveal and the highest number wins the round and gains 1 point.
Each player has one reroll that they can (don’t have to) use anytime in the match where they reroll ALL of their remaining dice.
If there is a tie the smaller sided die wins. If there is still a tie those dice are rerolled.
This is done until all six dice are used up and the person with the most points wins the pot.
Dagger Juggling
This is an interesting idea I haven’t used in a game yet. I don’t plan to have may players be the jugglers, but intead have them come across someone in a bar who is juggling and have them bet on how long they can go for in an over/under fashion (I bet he can’t go for five minutes). Each success will equate to 1 minute of successful juggling.
Roll a D20. The check will be based on how many daggers are being juggled
| Daggers | DC |
|---|---|
| 2 | 10 |
| 3 | 15 |
| 4 | 20 |
Failed throws result 1d6 non-lethal damage, not really all that relevant if an NPC is doing the juggling.
Poker
Roll 5d6 three times, keeping or rerolling any dice you want, with betting between rerolls. 5 of a kind beats 4 of a kind beats a full house beats a straight beats three of a kind beats two of a kind beats a pair. This is a good tavern game.
Arm Wrestling
Simple contested STR check. Each success moves your arm one step closer to victory. You need three steps to knock their arm on the table. Rolling a natural 20 counts as two steps. This one can take a little while since there will be some back and forth, but it makes for some good tension.
Drinking Game
Very excited to try this one this weekend at my table since we have a party member whole likes to drink a lot.
Four drinks are placed on the bar in order by the amount of alchol they contain. Players get points for each one they drink and must make a CON saving throw after each drink.
| Drink | CON DC | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Light-hearted | 10 | 1 point |
| Bull’s Blood | 14 | 2 points |
| Frosty Heart | 17 | 3 Points |
| Carnage | 20 | 4 points |
Characters that are heavy drinkers get between +1 and +3 to their saving throws. Even if you fail the save you still get the points.
When you fail the save
- 1st fail: -2 to saving throws
- 2nd fail: You still have the -2 from above, but now you also roll with disadvantage
- 3rd fail: Drinker throws up or passes out and gets poisoned condition.
Enhancing Worldbuilding with Tavern Games
Tavern games in your D&D campaign aren’t just about entertaining your players; they’re also a powerful tool for enhancing worldbuilding and immersing your players in the rich lore of your campaign setting. By designing fantasy tavern games that reflect the customs, traditions, and history of your world, you can create a truly immersive experience.
These games provide a window into the culture and values of different races and regions, shedding light on the unique aspects of your campaign setting. They can showcase traditional games played by dwarves in their underground taverns or elven games that require a deep understanding of nature and the mysteries of the forest. Incorporating these games into your campaign not only adds depth and richness to your world but also offers opportunities for roleplaying and storytelling.
For example, imagine a fantasy tavern game called “Goblin’s Gambit,” which involves players strategizing and bluffing their way through a series of challenges to outsmart their opponents. This game not only highlights the cunning nature of goblins in your world but also presents an opportunity for players to roleplay their characters’ interactions and showcase their problem-solving skills.
Another game, “Dragon’s Dance,” could represent a sacred ritual in a dragon-worshipping culture. Players would have to mimic the movements of dragons in a complex dance, showcasing their understanding of the local customs and respect for the dragon gods. This game not only adds an element of spectacle to your campaign but also provides insights into the cultural beliefs and practices of the dragon-worshipping society.
By inventing and incorporating these fantasy tavern games, you can create a dynamic and immersive world that captures the imagination of your players. These games serve as a bridge between the players and the world you’ve built, offering unique opportunities for roleplaying, teamwork, and exploration.
So, let your creativity soar and craft fantasy tavern games that serve as gateways to your campaign’s rich lore, captivating your players and making your world truly unforgettable.
Conclusion
By incorporating D&D tavern games into your sessions, you’ll witness the growth of your characters as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of these engaging activities. Your players will bond over shared victories, create lasting memories, and forge stronger connections with their fellow adventurers. So why wait? Dive into the world of D&D tavern games and embark on a thrilling journey of imagination and camaraderie!
Games like these are big with my players, so I’ll be adding to this list as I find more games that work well. Hopefully you find them useful at your table!
Sources
I don’t know where I got some of these orginally, I’ve been using some of them for a long time. Here are the original sources I was able to find:
- Thanks to user eryan64 on r/DnDBehindTheScreen for several of these.
- Drinking game courtesy of Tribality