Alchemy RPG

Overview

Alchemy RPG is a virtual tabletop built around cinematic, story-driven tabletop roleplaying. Rather than presenting play only as a collection of game mechanics, it organizes sessions into scenes intended to help create memorable moments while keeping the mechanics in reach. Music, animated environments, and overlays support that storytelling focus.

Alchemy describes its audience as gamemasters, players, and creators. Its Free Unlimited plan includes unlimited games, characters, universes, voice and video chat, and asset uploads, as well as every game system and a homebrew system builder. The platform identifies Arboreal, LLC as its rights holder. Alchemy says privacy is a guiding principle and that it will not sell user data or serve irrelevant third-party ads.

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Key features

Scenes and presentation

Alchemy’s scene-based structure is meant to bring presentation and game management together. Music, animated environments, and overlays help shape a scene, while the platform’s tools are intended to keep play moving without losing focus on the story.

Game systems and homebrew

The Free Unlimited plan includes every game system and a homebrew system builder. That combination gives groups access to the systems Alchemy includes while also providing a way to build a homebrew system. The plan’s unlimited games, characters, and universes support organizing multiple games and their participants within the platform.

Communication and assets

Voice and video chat and asset uploads are included without stated limits in Free Unlimited. Alchemy also lists campaign tools as a feature. Marketplace purchases are intended to be downloadable for use outside Alchemy as well as on the platform, which matters to buyers who want purchased content to have use beyond their online sessions.

Discord connection

Connecting Discord grants an active Alchemist subscriber a role on Alchemy’s Discord server. Alchemy says the connection requests only the account’s username and ID. Its other support options include a Help Center, Discord community, in-app support chat, and support email.

Pricing

Alchemy uses a freemium model. Free Unlimited costs free (billed $0 per month) and includes unlimited games, characters, universes, voice and video chat, and asset uploads, plus every game system and the homebrew system builder.

The Alchemist plan lists a 5% Marketplace discount, roadmap voting for features and games, seasonal perks and rewards, early access, exclusive developer team chats, and an Alchemist role and player badge. Its price is not listed, so the cost of those subscriber benefits cannot be determined from the available plan details.

Platforms

Alchemy is available as a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as a web application. The desktop app requires Windows 10 or later, macOS Monterey 12.0 or later, or Linux such as Ubuntu 22.04 or newer. A stable internet connection is required to use Alchemy.

The web app runs in browsers on computers, tablets, and mobile devices, but tablet and mobile experiences are not yet optimized. Alchemy lists no mobile apps. Desktop Alchemy Unlimited subscribers can import characters from D&D Beyond.

Who it's for

Alchemy is aimed at gamemasters, players, and creators who want a virtual tabletop with a scene-based, presentation-oriented approach. It may suit groups looking for included voice and video chat, asset uploads, game systems, and a homebrew builder without a monthly cost for Free Unlimited. People planning to play on a tablet or phone should account for the fact that the browser experience is not yet optimized for those devices.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free Unlimited includes unlimited games, characters, universes, voice and video chat, and asset uploads.
• Pros: The plan includes every game system and a homebrew system builder.
• Pros: Desktop apps are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the web app works in browsers across computers and mobile devices.
• Pros: Marketplace purchases are intended for use outside Alchemy as well as within it.
• Cons: Tablet and mobile browser experiences are not yet optimized, and there are no mobile apps.
• Cons: A stable internet connection is required.
• Cons: Alchemist benefits are listed, but the plan’s price is not.

Alternatives

Other virtual tabletop options include Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, D20PRO, Owlbear Rodeo, Quest Portal, D&D Beyond Maps, Digital D20, and Foundry Virtual Tabletop.

Verdict

Alchemy’s clearest distinction is its emphasis on scene-based, cinematic storytelling alongside game management. Free Unlimited also provides a broad set of included resources, including systems, homebrew tools, communication, and asset uploads. Its limitations are most relevant to mobile-first groups, since the browser experience on tablets and mobile devices is not optimized and dedicated mobile apps are not available. Groups considering the paid Alchemist tier should also note that its price is not listed.