Essential Online Tools for Running Pathfinder Games Online
This compact reference highlights the leading official and community tools Pathfinder groups use for building characters, managing campaigns, running virtual sessions, and resolving rules questions. Practical steps for account syncing, backups, and security will help groups avoid lost purchases and keep games running smoothly.
Pathfinder groups increasingly depend on a blend of official and community built online tools to run games, resolve rules disputes, and organize campaigns. The most widely used reference for rules lookups is Archives of Nethys, available at aonprd.com. That community maintained compendium lists spells, monsters, feats, and items in a searchable format, and it is the fastest way to cross reference rules during play. For confirmation of official wording, consult Paizo sources as the final authority.
Character building and tracking has been transformed by browser and mobile apps such as Pathbuilder and similar character builders. These tools speed up character creation for PF2e, simplify ongoing tracking, and often export to VTT friendly formats for seamless import into virtual play sessions. For groups that play online regularly, digital play hubs like Demiplane and Nexus provide searchable content, campaign management, and integrated compendia, with subscription based features for groups that need them.
Virtual tabletops remain central to remote play. Foundry Virtual Tabletop, Roll20, and Fantasy Grounds are the primary platforms players use. Foundry has a large ecosystem of community modules and asset packs focused on Pathfinder content, while Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds host publisher modules subject to publisher agreements and availability. Keep notes about which version of a module you run so players and GMs stay in sync.
For official releases and redemption instructions, maintain subscriptions and bookmarks for the Paizo Store and the Paizo Blog. When redeeming bundles or third party storefront codes, link accounts before attempting redemption. Sync accounts early, because some redemptions require both a retailer code and an account link and failing to do so can mean lost content.
Practical safeguards matter. Verify rules on Archives of Nethys or official Paizo pages when disputes arise. Back up purchased PDFs and keep organized local copies, and for VTT assets retain copies of purchased module files while documenting their version. Enable two factor authentication on platform accounts when available and follow publisher instructions carefully during code redemption to protect purchases and player access. These steps preserve sessions, reduce friction for new players, and keep community campaigns resilient.
