Update log - 13.05.2026 “A year of Groupfinder”

Overview

Its gonna be May.
This is gonna ruin the tour...
Well, it already is May - and its time for this month’s overview of what we have done during the last month. We would like to keep you updated as to how the platform is evolving and growing - especially since many of our updates might be something you have not noticed (you can read the last month's update log here https://groupfinder.eu/library/update-log-10042026-visit-the-library).

Birthday.. Of sorts

It was the end of April of last year when we released the current version of Groupfinder. Partly. Most of you might not be aware that Groupfinder was first launched in 2021. We first created the platform for the Estonian TTRPG community to help our local players find groups and players more easily. And it was well-received and used, prompting us to keep working on it, improving and tweaking.
How far we've come since 2021. 
Many years later, we decided to step it up a notch and redesign the entire platform and open it up to the world. More than half a year later, Groupfinder (now called Groupfinder, not Grupileidja) was finally released. It took us a few months before we were ready for the global audience. In september, we had our ducks in a row and we started spreading the word about the platform. Users from all over the world slowly started discovering the site and signing up. Gaining initial traction was a difficult task - users would not bother to use Groupfinder, because there weren’t users on the platform. A vicious circle that eventually was resolved thanks to our early pioneers, willing to give us a shot and posted their profiles and groups here. And now, a year later, we can see the platform has almost 6000 registered users with over 1500 active profiles and almost 700 active groups.   

Players and systems

During the last month, we improved player post creation - choosing the game system is now more visual and clearer. In addition - the process has been integrated with the Library. If a system exists there, it will be more visually distinct. As well as linked to the corresponding Library entry page. Hopefully more players will discover alternative systems to try out.
Choosing the correct systems has never been easier. On Groupfinder
The player profile page itself has also been updated and refreshed in multiple ways, making your profile a better calling card for you.

Panel is Dashboard

We used to call the homepage, the Panel. But we realized, that it didn’t make that much sense to most users. So it is now Dashboard. Not a huge change - but a change nonetheless. The dashboard also received multiple updates and tweaks to make things less cluttered and messy.

Library is getting stocked

During the month, the library https://groupfinder.eu/libraryhas received multiple new entries. By multiple - I believe we can say well over a hundred new entries have been added. There are multiple new tools https://groupfinder.eu/library?category=tools-platforms, video creators https://groupfinder.eu/library?category=video and podcasts/actual play https://groupfinder.eu/library?category=podcasts entries for you to discover. Waiting for your next session? Perfect time to start enjoying an actual play series to keep the hype going and perhaps be inspired by the way other groups play.

Article series “Covering the basics”

We also started with an introductory blog series called “Covering the basics”. Something to guide new players taking their first steps in the hobby. Currently there is one for “Making a character https://groupfinder.eu/library/covering-the-basics-making-a-character” and one for “How to start as a Dungeon Master https://groupfinder.eu/library/covering-the-basics-how-to-start-as-a-dungeon-master”.    And while not part of the series, you might want to take a look at the “Safety tools https://groupfinder.eu/library/safety-tools-101-why-safe-players-are-brave-players” article. Something to consider when starting a group with people you’ve never played with before.

Tweaks & fixes

We've kept a watchful eye on various bugs and problems that needed addressing. The mobile notifications were overly aggressive and at times got a bit spammy - we've told the messenger to calm down.  In messenger you can now react to messages, making it easier for you to agree upon a certain ruling or arrangement. Or, if you like, you can send an image of surprised Pikachu. Sending images in messenger is now possible. Sending a message to someone, but they just won't respond? Hover over their timezone on their profile and see what time it is for them. Maybe they are sleeping. Maybe you should also be?

May-be that is all

Thanks for reading this month’s update. We will keep on working on things in the background. You can join the Groupfinder discord server https://discord.gg/AfC7yp2rWE if you want to share some thoughts or problems with the platform.   And as always - if you have found Groupfinder useful in any way - be sure to share it with others. Either via a social media post, or just tell your friends about it. You sharing Groupfinder helps us grow. And with more users - more groups. Till next time.

Other entries

Pathfinder (2009)
Tabletop Roleplaying Games

Pathfinder (2009)

TTRPG
High-Fantasy
English
Pathfinder is a heroic fantasy roleplaying game system with a high amount of character customization and progression, published by Paizo in 2009. It was developed as a response to Wizards of the Coast transitioning the D&D genre to D&D 4th Edition, which was seen as a strong deviation from the math-heavy norm from 3.5E. Pathfinder was built using the Open Game License (OGL) to revise and expand upon the beloved 3.5 ruleset.  The system it directly evolved from is Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Edition The second edition of the game was released in 2019 as Pathfinder 2nd Edition Description Pathfinder 1e is well known for its "crunch". It relies heavily on strict rules, mechanical variation and math. The system is perfect for players who prefer heavy character optimization and customization, focus on tactical combat encounters and a strong ruleset for almost any situation. Pathfinder is proud of it's complexity and very much focuses on it. Boasting a massive library of  spells, classes, and feats, allows the players to build very mechanically different and unique characters. It is also renowned for its "Adventure Paths": epic, six-part published campaigns that take characters from level 1 to roughly level 20. System Overview & Key Features The d20 System & Action Economy Like 3.5E, the core engine runs on a d20 roll plus modifiers. On every turn the characters have a set structure to perform their actions. Mechanically separated into Standard, Move and Swift actions. Archetypes & Deep Customization Instead of relying on complicated "Prestige Classes," Pathfinder 1e popularized "Archetypes." These allow players to swap out base class features for heavily themed alternatives right from level 1. This enables the players an extensive levels of customization when combining with the thousands of available feats to further personalise their unique character concept. Base Attack Bonus (BAB) Martial prowess is measured by a Base Attack Bonus. As this number grows, martial classes can eventually achieve "iterative attacks," allowing them to attack with their weapons multiple times per their turns, although penalties apply for repeated attempts. Combat Maneuver Mechanics (CMB/CMD) The system introduced two systems to simplify actions like tripping, grappling or disarming your opponents: Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver Defense. This created a single, reliable formula to use when performing maneuvers against an enemy. Skill Ranks Instead of a single "Proficiency Bonus" like in modern games, players are given a pool of Skill Points at every level (determined by their class and Intelligence score) to manually distribute across a massive list of skills, allowing for highly granular non-combat abilities. Lethality and "Crunch" As characters level up, the numbers grow exponentially. This means, that by reaching higher levels of encounters, characters and their opponents are dealing huge amounts of damage, alongside with various magical buffs and spells that could instantly kill a character. Planning and tracking situational modifiers and buffs becomes vital for survival. Additional links pathfinderwiki.com - Pathfinder Wiki  aonprd.com - Archives of Nethys (Official free rules database for PF1e)

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Goblin Points
Actual Play & Podcasts

Goblin Points

Draw Steel
News
Interviews
News and interviews about Draw Steel and MCDM. New episodes twice a month. Hosted by Jon de Nor. Episodes drop on the 5th, a roundup of all the news from MCDM, and features from the MCDM community, and on the 20th, interviews with people from the community. Links goblinpoints.com - Official website youtube.com - Youtube channel spotify.com - Spotify feed podcasts.apple.com - Apple Podcasts feed

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Dados à Portuguesa
Actual Play & Podcasts

Dados à Portuguesa

Portuguese
Dungeons & Dragons
Actual Play
Somos um podcast apaixonado por jogos narrativos de mesa. Aqui, mergulhamos em aventuras emocionantes, exploramos terras mágicas e contamos histórias inesquecíveis. Junte-se a nós e embarque nessas jornadas épicas com nossos jogadores. Prepare-se para risadas, reviravoltas e muita diversão. Sintonize e faça parte da aventura Dados à Portuguesa! Links dadosaportuguesa.transistor.fm - Official website youtube.com - Youtube channel spotify.com - Spotify feed podcasts.apple.com - Apple Podcasts feed discord.gg - Discord server patreon.com - Patreon page

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Looking for a group?

Find a tabletop group to join or players to invite. Groupfinder is a free looking-for-group platform. By players, for players.