There’s no one way to run a great RPG session, just like there’s no single formula for the perfect table setup. Every group plays differently, every game master has their habits, and each player enjoys something else. In this post, I’ll walk you through a few tested setups, ones I personally use when playing with friends, and others that are popular with our customers depending on the place, number of players, or the campaign vibe.
Hopefully, you’ll find some inspiration to create your own ideal RPG kit.
Budget starter kit for new players and GMs
When you’re just starting out, you really don’t need much to improve your game comfort. If you’re a GM running sessions at home, here’s all you need a small dry-erase grid mat, one whiteboard marker (black or blue works best), a set of dry-erase tokens and at least one dice tray.
This kind of mat gives you enough room for a skirmish scene, a dungeon layout, or even a city street grid. It’s a solid space to sketch out the situation and give players some visual context. The biggest benefit? Instead of repeating where everyone stands you just draw and play. Tokens work great as miniatures, just mark them with names, letters, or symbols for players and enemies. Done. And the tray? Always useful. No one likes chasing dice under the table.
Portable setup for on-the-go sessions
You won’t always play at home. Sometimes it’s your turn to grab your bag and head out to a friend’s place, a gaming club, or your favorite pub with a board game night. In those situations, a universal A4-sized RPG book is a lifesaver. It’s compact, folds in half, and you can use it like a single map or flip the page to switch scenes. Add a marker, a set of tokens, and a dice tray and you’ve got a simple, highly portable setup that fits easily in your backpack or shoulder bag.
Themed setup for a campaign-oriented GM
If you’re preparing a long campaign in a specific setting, it makes sense to invest in a kit that supports the mood and style of your story. A blank grid mat is great, but sometimes you want your players to instantly see the terrain, no need to sketch every tree or building.
For a D&D or Warhammer campaign, the A3 Fantasy Village book is a great pick. It includes detailed locations and a few flexible maps that let you quickly set up a forest, a village, or a rural scene. Add miniatures (though tokens still work just fine) and ideally a dice tray for each player. Because honestly, one tray passed around the table every five minutes isn’t ideal, right?
Setup for advanced GMs and gamers
If you play often, switch systems regularly, or run a lot of sessions it’s worth putting together a more advanced, all-rounder kit. Here’s a strong combo:
• a universal dry-erase mat for quick diagrams or notes
• a thematic or multi-purpose map book to match any setting
• a dice tray for every player and the GM
• three token sets in different sizes to represent everything from goblins to dragons
• one whiteboard marker per person
This setup covers all your bases and then some. It’s also perfect for clubs or events where multiple groups play different systems back-to-back.
Creating your perfect RPG setup isn’t a race. You don’t need everything and you don’t need it all at once.
But if you know what makes your sessions run smoother it’s worth organizing it. All of the setups I’ve described here are battle-tested: by players at home, at conventions, and in gaming clubs. Everything is designed to help you focus on what really matters: the story. Have a nice game!