In Tabletop gaming P is for…
Pathfinder
Born from a love of Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Edition, Pathfinder expanded into its own rich world—Golarion. The setting is packed with diverse cultures, warring gods, and sprawling cities, offering something for every adventurer. It also leans into deep character customisation, making it perfect for players who love tweaking stats and abilities.
PnP (Pen and Paper)
“Pen and Paper” (PnP) games refer to traditional tabletop role-playing games that rely on physical materials like character sheets, dice, and rulebooks. These games emphasize imagination and face-to-face interaction, offering a tactile and social experience distinct from digital gaming formats. The term underscores the genre’s roots in collaborative storytelling and manual record-keeping.
Planes of Existence
Many TTRPG settings aren’t limited to one world. D&D’s multiverse includes realms of fire, shadow, and celestial wonder. Whether you’re exploring the chaotic energy of Limbo or bargaining with devils in the Nine Hells, these planes offer infinite storytelling possibilities. Planescape remains the gold standard for campaigns that embrace dimension-hopping adventure.
Player’s Handbook or PHB
The Player’s Handbook (PHB) is the main rulebook for Dungeons & Dragons, containing everything players need to create characters, understand mechanics, and play the game. It includes classes, spells, combat rules, and much more—making it essential for anyone getting into D&D.
Player Agency
How much control do you actually have in a game? High player agency means you can make meaningful choices that directly impact the outcome (Scythe). Low player agency means the game dictates a lot for you, limiting strategy (Candy Land).
Player Elimination
Nobody likes being knocked out early and waiting for everyone else to finish. Player elimination means once you’re out, you’re out. Classic games like Risk often have this issue, but modern designs try to keep all players involved until the end.
Point Salad
A game that hands out points for almost everything. Some love the variety of strategies (Castles of Burgundy), while others feel like scoring lacks focus.
Print and Play (PNP)
A downloadable version of a game that you print at home. Great for testing indie designs or playing budget-friendly games without buying a full box.
Have I missed anything?