# Daggerheart

From Critical Role’s Darrington Press, Daggerheart blends narrative depth with a unique d12 system—Hope and Fear dice reflect character drives. Set for full release in 2025, this fantasy RPG emphasizes collaborative storytelling in a vivid world. Its approachable mechanics and emotional stakes make it a standout for new and seasoned players alike.

## At a Glance

Fantasy • 2-5 players • Needs GM • 3/5 complexity • Campaign friendly

## Why It Fits

Daggerheart works best for groups who want emotionally legible fantasy adventure and a campaign engine that keeps characters central to the table's decisions. It is easier to approach than heavy crunchy fantasy games, but it still expects the GM and players to engage actively with the fiction and make judgment calls in play.

## Fit Facts

- Players: 2-5 players + GM
- Session length: 180-240 minutes
- Prep: Medium
- Price: Paid

## Facets

- Genres: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
- Mechanics: Character Customization, Collaborative Worldbuilding, Narrative-Driven, Tactical Combat
- Themes: Dark

## Scores

- Complexity: 3/5
- New GM Fit: 3/5
- Roleplay Focus: 4/5
- Combat Focus: 3/5
- Tactical Depth: 3/5
- Campaign Depth: 5/5

## Best For

- Groups who want heroic fantasy with strong character arcs
- Campaign tables that like collaborative worldbuilding
- Players who want narrative play without giving up tactical texture

## Avoid If

- You want ultra-light rules with almost no subsystem overhead
- You want highly rigid combat procedure and strict initiative structure
- You need a low-improv GM experience

## Directory Notes

Daggerheart is a fantasy tabletop roleplaying game by Darrington Press, designed for long-term campaign play with a focus on shared storytelling and character progression. It utilizes a unique Hope and Fear dice mechanic, along with a card-based system for character development.

## Theme and Setting

While offering deep customization and player agency, some critiques point to a potential imbalance in GM empowerment and a lack of specificity in certain rules. Daggerheart is envisioned as a fantasy RPG centered around brave heroics in vibrant worlds collaboratively built by the gaming group.

## How Play Feels

Long-term campaign play is a core design principle, with player choices directly shaping the world and overarching narrative. The setting is designed to encourage shared storytelling, where the game master asks questions of the players and builds the world, maps, adventures, and stories around their ideas and character backgrounds.

## What Makes It Distinct

The core mechanic revolves around the Hope and Fear dice system, using two 12-sided dice. Players roll both dice to determine the outcome of actions.

## Where It May Not Fit

You want ultra-light rules with almost no subsystem overhead You want highly rigid combat procedure and strict initiative structure.

## Links

- Directory page: https://www.ttrpg-games.com/item/daggerheart
- Agent JSON: https://www.ttrpg-games.com/api/games/daggerheart.json
- Publisher or official site: https://www.daggerheart.com/
- Reviews or retailer page: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/508832/daggerheart-corebook?affiliate_id=1659151