Best AI RP & LLMs for Roleplay in 2026 [Tested & Ranked]

Not every AI can roleplay well. Some forget your initial setup mid-chat. Others break character or can't hold emotional depth. If you want real conversations, strong memory, and uncensored AI RP, you need the best LLM for roleplay — not just a casual chatbot.

I've tested over 20 top models from Hugging Face, Github and Reddit. After weeks of real use, I picked the 12 best AI models for roleplay — the ones that actually feel human. This guide breaks them down — tested, ranked, and ready to run locally if you want full control and privacy.

What is role playing in LLM?

AI roleplay isn't just chatting with a bot. It's interactive storytelling. You can turn a language model into your anime girlfriend, a battle-hardened commander, or a sci-fi spy — all inside your browser.

A good LLM for roleplaying doesn't just answer questions. It remembers past chats, keeps your character's tone, and reacts with emotions. It can comfort you like a therapist, flirt like a lover, or banter like a rival. That's what makes roleplay feel alive.

But here's the problem — most chatbots can't do this. They reset too fast, lose track of context, or feel cold and robotic. And when it comes to uncensored roleplay AI, many are blocked by filters or limits.

So, which AI models actually get it right? That's what we'll break down next.

Top 12 Best Uncensored LLM on Hugging Face and Other Resources

After a multi-month review and rigorous testing of over 20 models for roleplay quality, memory, uncensored filters, and more, we've compiled the definitive ranked list. Here are the Top 12 best AI for roleplaying for 2026, including models on Hugging Face and beyond.

Among these, MythoMax stands out for uncensored long-form RP, while KoboldCPP balances safety and creativity with strong memory. But these aren't the only great picks — each model has its niche. Next, let's break down what each one does best, and how to choose the right one based on your style.

1MythoMax L2 13B - Best LLM for Uncensored Roleplay

When I tried ythoMax L2 13BM, it blew me away with how well it handled best uncensored LLM roleplay. This model mixes LLaMA and Huginn to create rich stories without any content blocks. I loved how it remembered details from our long chats, keeping the story consistent. That means you don't have to repeat yourself or worry about the model forgetting important facts.

The conversations felt smooth and natural, especially for fantasy or romance roleplay. I even tested some adult themes, and the model handled everything without censoring. That's a big plus if you want full control of your stories or you're searching for solid LLM for writing.

2Kimi K2 0905

Kimi K2 0905 is a powerhouse for complex problem-solving and coding. It's built for developers and technical users, capable of handling massive amounts of information. When I tested it on a complex project, it flawlessly generated thinking and reasoning without losing track of the details.

Its massive 256k context window is the key, allowing it to maintain perfect consistency across novel-length adventures. It might not be as instantly playful as other models, but its strength lies in its incredible depth and sustained reasoning. Due to strong praise and positive reviews from many users, its ranking is currently rising.

3Psyfighter 13B - Best 13B Roleplay Model for Emotional Depth

I really enjoyed using Psyfighter 13B for best AI for roleplay that needs emotional depth. It's a version of LLaMA 2 13B fine-tuned to stay in character and express feelings. When I played as a caring partner or even a broken hero, Psyfighter kept the mood real. Unlike some models that lose focus, this one stayed consistent for a long chat.

What I liked best was how it showed empathy and mood shifts. When I wrote a sad scene, it reacted with hesitation or support. That made the roleplay feel alive, like talking with a real person.

4Chronos Hermes 13B - Best for Long Storytelling and Fantasy RP

Chronos Hermes 13B impressed me with how well it handled long stories. It remembers around 16,000 tokens, so it keeps track of details across many messages. I tried it on fantasy and sci-fi roleplay, and it kept a mature tone that fit complex characters and plots.

During my tests, it was clear that Chronos Hermes delivers serious, deep storytelling. The replies had good depth and the flow stayed on point. This model is perfect if you want rich stories that develop over time.

5OpenHermes 2.5 Mistral 7B - Best Lightweight RP Model

If your PC isn't very powerful, OpenHermes 2.5 Mistral 7B is a great pick. It's small and light but still delivers good roleplay replies when you guide it with the right prompts. I found it makes gentle and friendly conversations, perfect if you're just starting best AI for roleplaying with AI.

What stood out to me was how fast and smooth it runs on lower-end machines. It doesn't have deep memory like bigger models, but for short RP scenes or casual chats, it works great.

6Nous Hermes 2 Yi 34B

The Nous Hermes 2 Yi 34B model amazed me with how human-like it sounds. It's a big model that needs a strong GPU, but the quality is worth it. When I tested it, the replies felt natural and smooth, almost like chatting with a real person.

One thing I noticed is how well it keeps in character. It rarely breaks role and can handle long conversations without losing track. This makes it ideal for serious players who want deep immersion in the best LLM for roleplay.

7Undi95 DPO Mistral 7B

I tried Undi95 DPO Mistral 7B mainly for adult roleplay. It's a small model but very bold and uncensored. It handles suggestive and emotional scenes well. I liked how it kept the role consistent and didn't shy away from mature content.

This model has a strong following in communities like SillyTavern, where people use it for spicy RP. It runs smoothly even on average gaming PCs and is one of the best unrestricted LLM choices available.

8Platypus 2 13B

If you want playful and funny roleplay, Platypus 2 13B is a good pick. It's lively and witty, great for short, light conversations. When I tried it, the replies were full of jokes and cheeky comments, perfect for casual RP or comedic scenes.

It's not the best for long stories since it doesn't keep as much context. But for fun chats, it's excellent and one of the best AI RP models.

9MN Violet Lotus 12B - Top-Tier for Emotional Depth in Roleplay

When I tried MN Violet Lotus 12B, I was really impressed by its high emotional intelligence and creative writing. This model is a sophisticated merge of several specialized models, including Violet Twilight and Lumimaid, designed to produce incredibly nuanced and character-driven stories. I loved how it understood the subtext of a conversation, making the roleplay feel alive.

I tested it on deep, character-driven scenes, and it consistently adhered to the character's motivations and feelings. It's fantastic for long-form creative writing or intricate roleplay where emotional consistency is key.

10Deepseek Coder 33B (LoRA RP Fine-tuned)

Deepseek Coder 6.7B is unique because it started as a coding model and got fine-tuned for RP. It's great if you want a character who is logical, like a teacher or guide. When I used it, the replies were clear and structured, which worked well for serious or educational roleplay.

This model needs a strong GPU and is less casual than others. But it shines in logic-driven conversations and ranks well among best LLM for roleplay.

11Synthia 13B

I found Synthia 13B to be one of the softest models. It feels gentle and caring, making it popular for "girlfriend" style roleplay. The replies showed empathy and warmth, which was nice when I wanted supportive conversations.

It's still being improved but already works well for emotional and mental health RP. Many users consider it a best AI for roleplaying choice.

12LLaMA 3 8B Uncensored

The LLaMA 3 8B Uncensored model is a community-unlocked version without filters. It's not made just for RP but can adapt to many styles with good prompts. When I tested it, it responded well and remembered quite a bit of context.

This model is popular as a base for creating custom RP characters. It runs well on mid-range GPUs and is one of the best LLM to run locally for roleplay.It also holds up surprisingly well in other tasks, and can even be used as a best llm for translation option if you fine-tune prompts carefully.

How to Run AI Roleplaying Locally and Offline?

Running AI roleplay locally might sound complicated at first - but once you try it, it's hard to go back. Local roleplaying gives you something cloud-based chat platforms never fully offer: complete control.

When everything runs offline, there are no content filters, no data logging, and no sudden account bans due to uncensored or experimental roleplay scenarios. Your prompts, characters, and conversations stay entirely on your own machine.

For creators who value privacy, freedom, and customization, local RP setups are the gold standard.

Option 1CLI + Ollama + GGUF (For Advanced Users)

This is the most flexible local roleplay setup available today.

With Ollama + GGUF models, you can:

• Load uncensored roleplay models directly from Hugging Face
• Customize system prompts, memory handling, and persona rules
• Run everything fully offline on your own hardware

However, this approach is clearly designed for technical users. You'll need to work with command-line tools, manage model files, and tweak configurations manually.

If you want full control over long-term memory, character consistency, and fine-tuned RP behavior, this setup is unbeatable - but it's not beginner-friendly.

Option 2Going Beyond Text: Visual Roleplay with Novi AI

While local LLMs excel at text-based roleplay, many creators want more than dialogue. They want to see their characters, worlds, and scenes.

This is where Novi AI fits naturally into a modern roleplay workflow.

Even though Novi AI doesn't currently support AI chat-based roleplay, it provides powerful tools for:

• AI image generation: characters, outfits, environments, fantasy worlds
• AI video generation: scene visuals, cinematic story moments, character intros
• Visual storytelling assets for roleplay, games, or narrative projects

Novi AI - Bring Roleplay Characters to Life Visually

Novi AI complements local AI roleplay by transforming text-based characters and scenes into high-quality AI images and cinematic videos. It’s ideal for creators who want to visualize roleplay worlds, characters, and story moments beyond pure dialogue.

Try It Online

A common workflow looks like this:

1. Run your uncensored roleplay locally using models like MythoMax or Chronos Hermes

2. Use the story descriptions, character traits, or scene prompts generated by your LLM

3. Feed those descriptions into Novi AI to create character portraits, environment art, or short cinematic videos

This approach lets you turn pure text RP into a multi-modal roleplaying experience - without sacrificing privacy or creative freedom.

FAQs About RP LLM

1What are the 4 types of role play?

The four main types of roleplay are:

• Text-based roleplay (RP): You and the AI chat like characters in a story.
• Voice roleplay: You use speech-to-text or voice bots to talk.
• Tabletop-style RP: Like D&D, with rules and turns.
• Immersive RP: Deep, long-form storytelling with strong character arcs.

With local LLMs, text-based AI RP is the easiest to start — no sign-ups or rules needed, just your words and imagination.

2Is it legal to run uncensored LLMs?

Yes, in most countries. Running uncensored LLMs locally is legal if:

• You're not using them to create or share illegal content
• The model's license allows personal use

Just check your local laws and the model's terms. For example, most Hugging Face models are under Apache 2.0 or MIT licenses — free for offline, personal roleplay.

3Can these LLMs remember me?

Local models don't remember across sessions by default. But you can:

• Paste chat history back in each time
• Use models with long context windows (like Chronos Hermes 13B or Psyfighter 13B)
• Store memory with third-party tools or apps, which supports document uploads and persistent RP setups

So yes — with the right setup, your AI can "remember" your story or character.

4Where can I download these models?

You can find uncensored or RP-friendly LLMs on:

• Hugging Face — look for models like Psyfighter, MythoMax, Chronos Hermes
• GitHub — search for model repos with easy install scripts

Conclusion

If you're serious about roleplay, picking the best LLM for roleplay means finding a model with strong memory, emotional depth, and no filters. Whether you want flirty chats, deep stories, or bold RP, running models like MythoMax or Psyfighter locally gives you full control.

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Article by
Aaron Smith

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A dedicated content creator in the AI space, focused on building clear and practical resources around AI image generation, AI video creation, and modern AI models. Through hands-on tutorials, real-world examples, and tool breakdowns, the goal is to help users better understand how generative AI works and how to use it effectively for creative and professional projects.