Chicago has several ways into DnD, and you don’t need to arrive with a complete party. You can book a fully produced game, find other players through a citywide community,
Author: Matt Zane
Matt Zane started DnD Lounge in 2021. Matt began playing DnD 5e in 2015, and has been DMing since 2017. He loves optimization, but also enjoys looking for creative ways to use spells and abilities that follow the spirit and letter of the rules. He also eschews pure optimization in favor of a more balanced approach, where building a character is primarily about serving an interesting story arc and party dynamics rather than maxing out DPR.
Austin has plenty of places that sell DnD books, dice, and miniatures. Finding a place where you can actually sit down and play is a slightly different problem. Some of
A beam of crackling energy lances toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against it. On
Note: This post is part of the January 2026 RPG Blog Carnival , hosted by Hipsters and Dragons. The theme this month is “Fantasy Locations,” so if you’re looking for
Choose a creature within range that has 0 Hit Points and isn’t dead. The creature becomes Stable. Cantrip Upgrade. The range doubles when you reach levels 5 (30 feet), 11
You speak a one-word command to a creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or follow the command on its next turn.
An aura radiates from you in a 30-foot Emanation for the duration. When you create the aura and at the start of each of your turns while it persists, you
A shimmering field surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration. Casting Time: Bonus Action Range: 60 feet Components: V,
You touch a creature and force it to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 2d10 Necrotic damage. On a successful save, the creature takes
One creature that you can see within range must succeed on a Constitution saving throw, or it has the Blinded or Deafened condition (your choice) for the duration. At the