Foundry at a Glance
Four ideas carry most of the software. Each part of the guide builds on them.
Worlds
Each campaign is a world, built on one game system, with its own scenes, actors, items and journals.
Systems and Modules
A game system teaches Foundry the rules of your RPG; modules add features on top.
Scenes
Maps with a grid, walls, lights and vision, where tokens move and fights happen.
You Host It
The GM runs Foundry; players connect through their browser with an invitation link.
The Guide
Setting up first, then building your game, then running and polishing it.
Getting Started
Welcome to Foundry VTT
What Foundry is, how it differs from other virtual tabletops, and how worlds, systems and modules fit together.
Installation & Setup
Installing Foundry, hosting a game for your players, and creating your first world.
The GM Interface
The sidebar, scene controls, chat and the tools you will use every session.
Building Your Game
Creating Scenes
Maps, grids, walls, doors, lighting, vision and fog of war.
Actor Management
Characters, NPCs and monsters, tokens and their settings, and who controls what.
Items & Inventory
Weapons, spells, gear and loot, and how items move between actors.
Journals & Handouts
Journal entries and pages, handouts for players, and keeping your campaign notes.
Running Sessions
Combat Management
The combat tracker, initiative, turns, conditions and effects.
Macros & Automation
Chat and script macros, the hotbar, and automating the repetitive parts.
Audio & Music
Playlists, ambient sound and building a soundscape.
Player Experience
Foundry from the player’s side, and how to make it easy for them.
Going Further
Modules & Add-ons
Finding, installing and managing modules without breaking your world.
Performance
Keeping Foundry fast: assets, lighting, vision and hosting.
Advanced GM Techniques
Bigger tricks: scene transitions, region effects, prepared content and running long campaigns.
Troubleshooting & Best Practices
Finding what broke, backups, updates and habits that keep a world healthy.
Playing Solo
Tools
Use this before you type a formula into chat.