If you can’t make it to your local game store this holiday season, don’t worry! Your friendly virtual tabletop RPG (TTRPG) sellers are ready to help—and they might even surprise you with more options. Itch.io and DriveThruRPG are the usual hotspots for players and designers eager to discover their next favorite games, but this Black Friday, independent distributors have some exciting offers on physical copies. We’ve gathered a selection of the best indie tabletop deals and bundles available online, so let’s dive in!
Tabletop Bookshelf, though relatively new to the scene since its launch in December 2023, has already made a name for itself as a reliable source for exceptional indie and small press TTRPGs. Some fantastic games are up for grabs, including Evil Hat’s “Deathmatch Island,” a thriller RPG like a mashup of Squid Game and Survivor, and SoulMuppet’s “Orbital Blues,” focusing on melancholic space cowboys—yes, the original Cowboy Bebop RPG is also on sale. Classic titles such as the witty “Paranoia” and new creations by emerging designers like Elliot Davis’ “Project Ecco,” where you become a rogue time traveler, are also part of their lineup. The latter can be played on a yearly planner, offering a unique gaming experience.
Meanwhile, Knave of Cups, an online shop operated by a dynamic duo, features collections from notable indie designers such as Sam Leigh, Ken Lowery, and Cassi Mothwin. They provide everything a gamer might desire, from dice and tarot cards to journals and puzzles. Until November 27, they are offering discounts on their range of indie board games, including creations from the Japanese design studio Oink Games, known for its compact games perfect for holiday fun.
Exalted Funeral is the place to be for enthusiasts of Old School Renaissance games. Their extensive catalog includes original games and worlds like the Redwall-inspired “Mausritter” and the trippy “Ultraviolet Grasslands.” They also offer experimental supplements compatible with over 30 systems including Dungeons & Dragons, Mork Bork, Mothership, and Old School Essentials. From November 29 to December 2, they’re slashing prices with a 30% site-wide discount and up to half off on books and zines from their own publishing house.
Indie Press Revolution has long been a cornerstone of the indie tabletop community, providing perhaps the broadest range of games and related materials. Since 2004, IPR has been a regular sight at gaming conventions across the US. They sell beloved classics like John Harper’s “Blades in the Dark” and Tim Hutchings’ “Thousand Year Old Vampire,” as well as newer offerings like Quinn Murphy’s “Welcome To Nightvale”-inspired “Community Radio” and watt’s “Cloud Empress.” While their holiday deals are limited, you can find gems like “Signal to Noise” and “Onyx Path’s Chronicles of Darkness” among those on sale.
And let’s not forget Plus One Exp, a tabletop publisher known for its “Weird Indie Games” ethos—something we can all appreciate. They distribute games with intriguing themes like Alexi Sargeant’s “The Great Soul Train Robbery,” a low-prep, hell-bound train heist adventure, and Navaar Jackson’s “The Corrupted,” which offers a personal twist on the zombie apocalypse, reminiscent of “The Last of Us.” They also have “Longsword,” a d100-based spin on Arthurian legends from Viditya Voleti and Sam Tung. Many titles on Plus One’s site come from their RPG Zine Club, a monthly subscription service that gives you fresh games at a fixed rate. Although it’s not a Black Friday special, Zine Club members enjoy these games at a reduced price.
So, whether you’re shopping from the comfort of your home or venturing into local stores, these independent game sellers have plenty to offer this holiday season.
