Berserk Games released Tabletop Simulator in 2015 as a physics sandbox rather than a game, and that distinction explains everything about how it works. It ships 15 classics including chess, poker, dominoes, mahjong and jigsaw puzzles, seats up to 10 players in one room, and hands you the same building tools its DLC teams use. Almost everything people actually play comes off the Steam Workshop, and only the host needs to own a paid DLC for the whole table to use it.
Combat in Tabletop Simulator rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works (and how they interact) is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. Physics driven objects
Every card, die and figurine is a rigid body, so pieces slide, stack, topple and fall off the edge like physical objects would. Locking an object freezes it in place, which is how mod makers pin boards down before anyone joins.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. Steam Workshop mods
The Workshop holds community recreations of thousands of board games, plus tables, backgrounds and RPG tilesets. Subscribing pulls images and models from wherever the creator hosted them, so a dead link leaves you with blank cards.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. Hidden zones and hands
Hand zones hold cards only their owner can read, and Hidden Zones conceal anything placed inside them from other seats. The black GM seat sees inside every hidden zone, which is what makes running a role playing session workable.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. Lua scripting
Objects and the global table can run Lua, which powers automated setup, dealing routines, score counters and turn order. You never need to write any to play, but every polished Workshop mod uses it.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. Custom object importing
Custom Deck, Custom Model, Custom Token and Custom Board objects take a URL to an image or model and build the piece in game. Host those files somewhere permanent, because a broken link breaks the mod for everyone who subscribed.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
How These Mechanics Combine
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
Physics driven objects + Steam Workshop mods
Every card, die and figurine is a rigid body, so pieces slide, stack, topple and fall off the edge like physical objects would. When combined with Steam Workshop mods, the workshop holds community recreations of thousands of board games, plus tables, backgrounds and rpg tilesets. This combination is the core of every effective build.
Hidden zones and hands + Lua scripting
Hand zones hold cards only their owner can read, and Hidden Zones conceal anything placed inside them from other seats. Paired with Lua scripting, objects and the global table can run lua, which powers automated setup, dealing routines, score counters and turn order. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
Custom object importing as a Multiplier
Custom Deck, Custom Model, Custom Token and Custom Board objects take a URL to an image or model and build the piece in game. Host those files somewhere permanent, because a broken link breaks the mod for everyone who subscribed. This system amplifies everything else. The better your Custom object importing optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Build
Each build approaches combat differently:
Board games (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Gizmo Tool Primary mechanic: Physics driven objects
Board games offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Card games (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Flick Tool Primary mechanic: Steam Workshop mods
Card games offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Tabletop RPG sessions (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Line Tool Primary mechanic: Hidden zones and hands
Tabletop RPG sessions offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Miniature wargames (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Joint Tool Primary mechanic: Lua scripting
Miniature wargames offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Party and social deduction games (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Hidden Zone Tool Primary mechanic: Custom object importing
Party and social deduction games offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities
- Exploit Physics driven objects for maximum damage windows
- Chain Steam Workshop mods and Hidden zones and hands for combo damage
- Use Lua scripting to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- Only the host needs to own the DLC. If one person in your group owns an official pack like Scythe or Cosmic Encounter, everyone seated at that table can play it, which makes it worth deciding as a group who buys what.
- Position using Physics driven objects to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness: Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression: One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation: Swap gear and equipment for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing: Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring Steam Workshop mods: This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong equipment for the situation: Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths: Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting: Trading hits works in Poker Table but will get you killed in Custom Table.
More Tabletop Simulator Guides
- Tabletop Simulator Tabletop Simulator Overview
- Tabletop Simulator Best Builds
- Tabletop Simulator Tier List
- Tabletop Simulator Walkthrough
- Tabletop Simulator Beginner's Guide
- Tabletop Simulator Tips & Tricks
- Tabletop Simulator Weapons Guide
- Tabletop Simulator Boss Guide
- Tabletop Simulator Maps & Locations
- Tabletop Simulator Crafting Guide
- Tabletop Simulator Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Tabletop Simulator, check out these related guides:
- Terraria Combat Guide: sandbox game with similar mechanics
- VRChat Combat Guide: sandbox game with similar mechanics
- Garry's Mod Combat Guide: sandbox game with similar mechanics
