Tokens are a crucial part of any tabletop RPG, whether you’re playing in person with printed pieces or running a virtual game on a VTT. The right tokens can enhance immersion, clarify combat, and bring your world to life. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best ones for your game? Let’s break it down.
1. Consider Your Game System and Style
Different RPGs and playstyles call for different types of tokens.
- Grid-Based Combat (D&D, Pathfinder, etc.) – You’ll want clear, well-defined tokens that represent creatures and characters in a top-down or portrait view. For example, in Dungeons & Dragons 5E, you’ll likely need individual monster tokens for initiative-based combat, while in Pathfinder 2E, you may want conditions or status effect tokens for added clarity.
- Theater of the Mind – If you use maps sparingly, you may only need a few character tokens for key moments. For instance, during a big boss fight, a dramatic showdown in a complicated environment (like a collapsing bridge or lava-filled cavern), or an intense social encounter (such as a royal court trial), tokens can help players visualize the scene without relying on a full battle map.
- Narrative & Storytelling Games – Symbolic or abstract tokens can work well, focusing on atmosphere over precise positioning. In games like Fate or Blades in the Dark, you might use simple silhouettes, faction symbols, or thematic icons to represent key locations or story elements instead of individual characters.
2. Choose the Right Art Style
Tokens should match the aesthetic of your game. Consider:
- Realistic vs. Stylized – Do you want gritty realism, classic fantasy art, or something more cartoon-like? If your campaign is a grimdark horror setting, dark, painterly tokens might fit better, while a lighthearted, high-fantasy game may work best with brighter, stylized artwork.
- Consistency – If you’re using a mix of tokens, try to keep a cohesive style to avoid a jarring look. For example, mixing hand-drawn, cel-shaded tokens with photo-realistic ones can make the battlefield look disjointed. Stick to a unified set, such as all tokens from the same artist or pack.
- Top-Down vs. Portrait View – Top-down tokens give a tactical feel, while portrait-style tokens (with a border or background) make identifying characters easier. In Foundry VTT or Roll20, top-down tokens work great for precise combat movement, while portrait-style tokens shine when playing with a more character-focused UI, such as D&D Beyond’s overlay tools.
3. Get the Right Size and Format for Your VTT
If you’re playing online, make sure your tokens are optimized for your virtual tabletop.
- Standard Size – 512px square is a great default resolution for clarity and detail. For example, if you scale down high-resolution art to 512px, you get a crisp image without unnecessary file size.
- Transparent Background – PNG format is best to avoid unwanted white borders. If you download tokens in JPEG format, they may show an awkward white or black box around them, ruining the seamless integration on a map.
- VTT Compatibility – Some platforms allow animated tokens or special formats—check what your VTT supports! Foundry VTT, for example, supports WebP and animated tokens, while Roll20 primarily uses PNG or JPEG static tokens.
4. Differentiate NPCs, Monsters, and PCs
Your players should be able to quickly tell apart allies, enemies, and neutral characters.
- PC Tokens – Should be detailed, distinct, and full of personality. For example, a rogue’s token might feature a dark hood and daggers, while a paladin’s token could emphasize armor and a glowing sword to make them visually distinct.
- Monster Tokens – Should stand out clearly, especially for bosses or legendary creatures. You might want brighter borders for elite foes, such as a red-ringed frame for a dragon, or darker, shadowed effects for undead creatures to enhance their ominous presence.
- NPC Tokens – Background colors or borders can help signify friendly, hostile, or important NPCs. For example, you could use a green glow for merchants and allies, red for enemies, and gold for quest-givers or VIPs like kings and wizards.
5. Where to Find Great Tokens
There are plenty of resources for finding or creating tokens:
- Pre-Made Token Packs – Many sites offer high-quality token packs designed for specific settings. For example, BBEG Adventures provides 512px fantasy tokens perfect for campaigns set in the Wylderlands!
- Custom Token Generators – Tools like Token Stamp or VTT Token Maker let you create your own by uploading portraits and adding borders. This is great for homebrew characters or unique NPCs that don’t fit pre-made sets.
- BBEG Adventures Tokens – Check out our own collection of 512px VTT-ready tokens to bring the Wylderlands to life! Our sets include heroes, monsters, and unique NPCs tailored for dynamic storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right tokens can enhance your RPG sessions by adding clarity, immersion, and personality to your game. Whether you’re running a fast-paced dungeon crawl or a deep roleplaying experience, having well-crafted tokens will help make every encounter more engaging.
What kind of tokens do you use in your games? Let us know in the comments!