Combat Survival Guide for Tabletop RPG Players
If you're like most tabletop RPG players, you know the dread of hearing your Game Master utter the words, "Roll for initiative." Combat is thrilling, but it’s also one of the easiest places for characters—especially squishy casters and overeager rogues—to meet an untimely end.
After years of gaming across systems, from homebrewed chaos to finely tuned D&D 5e campaigns, I’ve compiled the combat strategies that have consistently kept my characters alive. These are not theoretical tactics—they’re field-tested in hundreds of sessions, supported by tactical positioning, fantasy battle maps, and a deep understanding of game mechanics.
Whether you’re using virtual tabletop maps, old-school graph paper, or stunning printable dungeon maps PDF sets, mastering the art of survival boils down to more than dice rolls. Let’s dive in.
Stop Rushing In: Why Positioning is the Real MVP
Understanding the Combat Environment
One of the biggest mistakes I see players make—especially newer ones—is assuming that the “front line” always has to move forward. In reality, the map is a resource just as valuable as your spell slots or action economy.
- Use chokepoints like narrow hallways and doorways.
- Take advantage of elevation, cover, and line of sight.
- Fight in defensible areas rather than open fields.
If you’re playing with high resolution fantasy maps, these elements become clearer and easier to strategize around. This is especially effective when you’re using Fantasy Grounds, a powerful but often underutilized VTT platform with advanced line-of-sight and lighting systems.
Tactical Positioning Tips
| Situation | Best Tactic | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow corridors | Put your tankiest character up front | Bottlenecks enemies |
| Open field | Fan out in a triangle or arc | Minimizes area of effect vulnerability |
| Flanking opportunity | Coordinate with a partner | Grants advantage on attack rolls |
| Facing ranged enemies | Use partial cover | Boosts your AC and survivability |
Don’t Waste Your Action Economy
Think Beyond Attacking
Many players fall into the trap of always using their Action to attack. In reality, your Action, Bonus Action, Movement, and Reaction are tools that—when used properly—can completely shift the tide of battle.
- Help Action: Give an ally advantage on their next attack.
- Ready Action: Prepare for enemy movement or specific conditions.
- Disengage/Dodge: Stay alive when you're low HP instead of going out in a blaze of glory.
- Bonus Actions: Use class features like Bardic Inspiration, Healing Word, or Monk abilities.
- Reactions: Track what’s available (e.g., Shield, Hellish Rebuke, Opportunity Attack).
Your Environment is a Weapon
Too often we equate victory with reducing the enemy’s hit points to zero. But what if you could win by manipulating the battlefield itself?
- Collapse a bridge behind you to escape or isolate foes.
- Kick over a brazier to start a fire and create chaos.
- Use illusions or minor magic to draw enemies away from key areas.
- Lure enemies into traps or difficult terrain.
Buffing and Debuffing Win Fights (Not Just Damage)
| Spell | Role | Why It’s Powerful |
|---|---|---|
| Bless | Buff | +d4 to attacks and saving throws for 3 allies |
| Bane | Debuff | -d4 to enemy attacks and saves |
| Fairy Fire | Debuff | Grants advantage on attacks against affected enemies |
| Shield of Faith | Buff | +2 AC for 10 minutes |
| Entangle | Control | Restrains enemies in an area (difficult terrain too) |
Know When to Retreat or Regroup
Sometimes, the best move is to back off. Maybe the dice are cold, maybe reinforcements arrive, or maybe you just underestimated that CR 5 ogre with a grudge.
A good GM will allow for intelligent retreat if it’s handled narratively and tactically. Use Ready Actions, Fog Cloud, or even a distraction (throwing a torch into a stack of barrels works wonders).
Leverage Map Visibility Features on Fantasy Grounds
Fantasy Grounds is a powerhouse. It may have a steeper learning curve than Roll20, but it pays off with advanced automation, dynamic lighting, and incredible campaign management tools.
- Track buffs/debuffs visually and mechanically.
- Use line of sight to prevent ambushes or pre-emptively ready spells.
- Coordinate tactics using map markers and shared notes.
Teamwork Beats Lone Wolves Every Time
Class Synergy Makes You Tougher, Not Just Stronger
An optimized solo character is rarely more effective than a synergistic team. Here's what I’ve seen work over and over again:
- Tank + Support Caster: A Paladin with a Cleric keeping Bless and Healing Word running is nearly unkillable.
- Rogue + Wizard: Wizard uses Web or Grease, Rogue swoops in for advantage and sneak attack.
- Barbarian + Druid: Druid casts Entangle to restrict enemies while the Barbarian tears them apart.
Cheat Sheet — Combat Survival Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Use terrain and cover | Charge blindly into rooms |
| Coordinate with allies | Split the party unnecessarily |
| Save spell slots for buffs/debuffs | Burn all spells on flashy attacks |
| Retreat when overwhelmed | Die for no strategic gain |
| Use status spells (Hold Person, Web) | Spam damage spells every turn |
| Think in turns ahead | Play one turn at a time |
Sample Combat Scenario — Turning a Losing Battle Around with Smart Map Use
The Setup
We were deep inside a forgotten ruin—our party had been tracking an undead warlord. The virtual tabletop map we used on Fantasy Grounds had multiple rooms, crumbling walls, and shadowy corners. The undead ambushed us in a large circular chamber with three entrances.
- Enemies: 1 Wight, 2 Ghouls, 6 Skeleton Archers
- Party: Dwarf Cleric, Tabaxi Ranger, Half-Orc Fighter, Elf Wizard
The Problem
The archers had elevation advantage, and the Wight rushed the Wizard. The room's layout had us split across two doorways. Half the party was trapped, and the Cleric was out of healing range.
The Tactical Turnaround
- Marked enemy cover spots with tokens.
- Used a crumbled wall to bottleneck the ghouls.
- The Fighter grappled the Wight and shoved it into a pit.
- The Ranger fired from behind a stone pillar for cover.
- The Wizard cast Grease on stairs to disrupt archers.
- The Cleric used Turn Undead to scatter remaining threats.
The Result
Despite being outnumbered and almost flanked, we turned the fight around by fully exploiting the map’s terrain, chokepoints, and elevation. We didn’t just survive—we won decisively.
Bonus Tip — Practice on Printable Dungeon Maps PDF Sets
Want to get better at combat outside of session time? Grab some printable dungeon maps PDF from RPG Tabletops and set up practice fights. Play out scenarios solo or with friends:
- Ambushes in narrow tunnels
- Boss fights with minions
- Rescue missions in multi-room dungeons
Final Thoughts: Survival Isn’t Luck—It’s Strategy
Living to see the next long rest isn’t about hoping for a crit. It’s about using your environment, your team, your map, and your brain. With fantasy battle maps to guide you, and platforms like Fantasy Grounds or your favorite printable dungeon maps PDF, you’ve got all the tools you need to turn combat from chaotic mess to tactical masterpiece.
Next time your GM says “Roll for initiative,” take a deep breath. Smile. You’ve got this.
Ready to Upgrade Your Tactics?
- High resolution fantasy maps
- Printable dungeon maps PDFs
- Virtual tabletop maps compatible with Fantasy Grounds
At RPG Tabletops, we don’t just sell maps—we help you survive the story.