Have you been looking for interesting and exciting new characters to play in your RPGs? Whether you prefer cozy and wholesome, or satirical and apocalyptic, there’s a game out there with animal characters for you. Here are just a few of our favorite RPGs where you can play as animals, along with some luxury dice to match.
1. Bunnies and Burrows
Originally published in 1976, Bunnies and Burrows was the first ever roleplaying game that allowed players to have non-humanoid roles, along with brand new rules and skills to go along with being a bunny. This highly-rated and beloved game had been out of print for some time, but it’s officially back thanks to Frog God Games! You and your friends play as rabbits navigating life in a food chain that mirrors the real world. Problem solving, roleplaying and cooperation are more important than combat in this system. You’re on the lookout for predators, traps, natural hazards and, of course, humans, the only true monsters in the game.
Companion dice: Wisteria Falls 7-Piece Polyhedral Dice Set
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness
This best-selling RPG from 1985 has just been revived on Kickstarter and is available for preorder! The revival includes the RPG, Turtles Go Hollywood, and Truckin’ Turtles all wrapped up in a hardcover volume with loads of extra art, tributes and the whole story behind the creation of the game back in the 80s. If The Turtles aren’t your vibe, there is a wide selection of other animals you can play in this universe. The only catch is that they have to be mutants, which is a major component of your character generation process. While the game takes place in the TMNT universe, all the adventures you’ll have living on the fringes of society are independent.
Companion dice: Green Gamer Juice 7-Piece Liquid Core Dice Set
3. Ironclaw: Squaring the Circle
This well-established game has a newly-updated edition and a rich and detailed world that’s perfect for RPG beginners and veterans alike. There are dozens of species to choose from for your characters, and they all live together in sprawling cities and countrysides torn apart by war. Heroes are needed more than ever to fight the good fight against political conspirators, evil slavers, cruel thieves, necromancers and other supernatural perils. The action is fast-paced, but never lets you forget why you’re fighting and what you’re fighting for.
Companion dice: Lunar Cathedral 7-Piece Iconic Dice Set
4. ROOT: The Roleplaying Game
Based on the original award-winning board game, ROOT: The RPG is now available for preorder from Magpie Games. Play as woodland creatures who are vagabonds, outlaws and adventurers fighting for justice and freedom. The core rulebook includes playbooks, easy rules and detailed instructions, and innovative mechanics. If you’re ready to join a rebellion to save the natural world from oppression, travel between clearings to do the jobs no one else will do, where you get to decide who you serve.
Companion dice: Sakura Kiss 7-Piece Iridescent Dice Set
5. Humblewood
This is a delightful roleplaying game about animals that has a well-established universe for rules for 5e. Your party will play as birdfolk or other forest critters to save their home from the fires that have come. The homes of the birdfolk have escaped most of the fires so far, making the other Humblefolk resentful. Dissatisfaction and the loss of home drives the conflict in this game, and it will be up to you to restore balance to the realm. You will confront bandits and fight monsters, helping to keep the spark of hope alive.
Companion dice: Heart of Glass 7-Piece Iconic Dice Set
6. Pugmire
Another long-standing classic that is familiar to many of us. But if you haven’t heard of the Pugmire RPG before, dogs have basically inherited the world. In this universe, it has been centuries since man walked the earth and dogs have evolved to be able to use tools and language. Now, they’re looking to revive the technology left behind by humans and create an ideal civilization. Play as dogs as you explore, invent, solve mysteries and avoid danger. Most importantly, you will find out if you’ve been a good dog.
Companion dice: Lion Dogs 7-Piece Iconic Dice Set
7. Mausritter
If you prefer your roleplaying rules-light, you better don your whiskers for this fantasy RPG. You’re small mice in a big scary world, but you’re also very brave and very clever. And you’ve taken up the sword! The universe of Mausritter is well-established, with plenty of expansions, supplements and bundles to keep your adventures alive. Character creation is flavorful, the magic is dangerous and the GM’s toolbox is generous. Plus, the card-based inventory system keeps bookkeeping to a minimum. Can you survive as a little mouse?
Companion dice: Promise of Tomorrow 7-Piece Polyhedral Dice Set
8. Teatime Adventures
Is there anything more cozy than a pot of tea, a warm treat straight from the oven and an enthralling mystery? Teatime Adventures has everything you need to achieve this vibe in your RPGs. It includes an introductory adventure, rules and lore, tea pairings and actual recipes you can bake up for games night. The core book has everything you need to create nonviolent campaigns with an easy-to-learn D20 system. The world of the Verdant Isles is also LGBTQ+ and disability friendly.
Companion dice: Rainbow Drops 7-Piece Multi-Colored Dice Set
9. DUKK BÖRG
Let’s change gears. For a fantasy roleplaying game with animals that is darker, DUKK BÖRG is inspired by DuckTales and compatible with the fast-growing MÖRK BORG system. The end of the world is near and you and your flock are treasure hunters seeking to be the richest ducks alive during the apocalypse. You have mysteries to solve, histories to write and ancient artefacts to hunt. Players come for the dark fantasy, but stay for the unlikely heroism, found family and endless duck puns.
Companion dice: Endless Horizons 7-Piece Iconic Set
10. The Defenders Almanac
After the massive success of their board game, Defenders of the Wild, Outlandish Games have also created a rules-light roleplaying game, The Defenders Almanac. Using this illustrated guidebook, you and your companions can create your own stories of the animal resistance. Travel to a land that has been invaded and besieged by machines with everything you need to create your own animal defenders, and rewild your home using sabotage, infiltration, escape, rescue, espionage and political savvy.
Companion dice: Synthetic Dreams 7-Piece Polyhedral Dice Set
Is there anything we missed on our list? Comment below to let us know what your favorite animal RPG is, and which animal-themed dice set you love most. Speaking of which, have you seen our latest Sea Creatures dice collection?
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