Daggerheart

Daggerheart · Critical Role Daggerheart

Daggerheart

Daggerheart is a fantasy roleplaying game from Darrington Press, designed for character-driven stories and grand, cinematic moments. You play capable heroes who develop through difficult choices, found-family bonds, and daring action. Expect classic high fantasy with opportunities for political intrigue, exploration, and monster hunting. It welcomes both newcomers and seasoned players, making it perfect for birthdays, corporate events, or a regular game night. A professional Game Master crafts the world around your group, then adjusts the tone for cosy, hopeful adventuring or sharper, high-stakes drama.

A typical session feels like an ensemble show. Scenes progress quickly, you speak in character, roll when the outcome is uncertain, and the table collaborates to shape what happens next. Combat is dynamic and tactical, but the emphasis remains on your choices and relationships. Our Game Masters come prepared with prebuilt heroes if you want to dive in quickly, or will assist you in creating your own. Looking for the right fit and schedule? Browse available Game Masters and find someone who matches your style.

How to play Daggerheart

When the outcome is uncertain, you roll two twelve-sided dice, one representing Hope and the other Fear, add the bonuses from your character sheet, and aim to meet or exceed a difficulty set by the Game Master. The result indicates how well you performed, and the Fear die can introduce a cost or twist, even on a strong success. On your turn, you state your intention, select an appropriate skill, ability, or spell, roll the dice, and then describe the outcome in collaboration with the GM. This same rhythm governs combat, exploration, and social interactions.

You bring a character concept, curiosity, and a readiness to work together. A professional Game Master supplies an adventure, safety tools, character sheets, and dice. Playing online is seamless as well, with voice, maps, and handouts managed on modern virtual tabletops. If you intend to play remotely, check the options on online play platforms.

For a one-shot, your GM will quickly immerse you in action with focused objectives, striking set pieces, and a satisfying narrative arc within a single session. In a campaign, your character develops over time, relationships deepen, and the story expands into politics, travel, and recurring adversaries. Advancement, downtime, and callbacks ensure that choices have significance from session to session.

Five costumed friends posing together at a lively TTRPG costume party
Five costumed friends posing together at a lively TTRPG costume party
Close-up of a blue eight-sided die with gold numbers, used for tabletop role-playing games like dungeos and dragons.
Close-up of a blue eight-sided die with gold numbers, used for tabletop role-playing games like dungeos and dragons.
Top-down view of a green miniature bush, ideal for tabletop board games like warhammer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know the rules to play Daggerheart?

No. Daggerheart teaches well at the table. The core is simple: when it matters, you roll two twelve-sided dice called Hope and Fear, add a bonus, and read both the result and any potential cost. A professional Game Master explains as you go, keeps the pace brisk, and offers prebuilt characters if you want to start quickly. If you enjoy learning with extra guidance or prefer a more tactical approach, you can choose a GM whose style suits you. See examples on GM playstyles.

How does Daggerheart differ from D&D?

Instead of a single d20, you roll Hope and Fear d12s together. You can succeed and still encounter a twist, which keeps scenes dynamic and choices significant. The rules emphasise relationships, motives, and consequences, allowing story beats to resonate without extensive preparation or calculations. Combat still provides tactical options, but the pace and narrative take precedence. If you're familiar with D&D, anticipate familiar fantasy elements with reduced bookkeeping, quicker character creation, and more opportunities for the table to contribute ideas to the evolving scene.

What types of characters can I play in Daggerheart?

You can create well-known fantasy heroes, ranging from martial powerhouses and rogues to healers and spellcasters. What makes Daggerheart stand out is how your drives, bonds, and signature talents influence outcomes and facilitate growth. You determine how your magic manifests or what your fighting style entails, and the rules support that in gameplay. Looking to get started quickly? Your GM can offer pre-made heroes or assist you in crafting a custom character that aligns with the story you wish to tell.

What dice and materials do we need for Daggerheart?

Most rolls use two twelve-sided dice, labelled Hope and Fear. A professional Game Master brings character sheets, dice, pencils, and any quick-reference aids the table requires. If you wish, you can bring your own pair of d12s, but it is not necessary. For online games, digital sheets and dice rollers ensure smooth play. You only need a stable internet connection, voice chat, and curiosity. The GM manages rules references so you can concentrate on the scene.

Which version of the rules will the GM use?

Your session uses the current official Daggerheart rules from Darrington Press. If you have seen older previews, expect some refinement and wording adjustments, but the table experience remains clear and swift. A professional Game Master will keep track of updates and explain anything new in straightforward terms before it becomes relevant. If your group has a specific preference, please mention it when booking, and the GM will confirm what best suits your session plan.

Is Daggerheart appropriate for children or mixed age groups?

Yes. The Hope and Fear mechanic allows the GM to adjust the stakes so that scenes remain thrilling without becoming too dark. Clear actions, collaborative storytelling, and safety tools help younger or less experienced players feel assured. The group collectively determines boundaries and tone, while the GM presents consequences in a manner suitable for all ages, ensuring that heroics remain at the forefront. This approach is ideal for families, school clubs, and birthday parties, as well as for adults seeking a hopeful, adventurous atmosphere.

Can I bring my D&D character idea into Daggerheart?

There is no direct one-to-one conversion, but the concept generally translates well. Share what defines your hero, such as a sworn oath, a signature spell, or a combat style, and the GM will assist in reconstructing it using Daggerheart options to ensure it feels right at the table. Iconic gear and abilities receive story-first equivalents, and you will uncover new hooks through bonds and drives. Need help finding a GM to match that idea? Browse available Game Masters.

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Genres you can play in Daggerheart

  • Heroic

    Stand tall, choose the right path, and triumph in the end. Heroic games evoke the spirit of The Lord of the Rings, featuring bold oaths…

    View genre: Heroic
  • Epic

    Grand tales of world-altering stakes and legendary heroes, from the initial spark to the ultimate confrontation. Imagine the scale of The…

    View genre: Epic
  • Medieval

    Knights, castles, guild halls, and the burden of oaths. Feudal politics, harsh winters, and hard-earned honour, much like Game of Thrones…

    View genre: Medieval
  • Pirate

    Salt spray, creaking decks, and cutlass duels as you pursue treasure and rivals across treacherous waters. Swashbuckling adventure…

    View genre: Pirate

What players think

  • Tom was brilliant! He was really great with the children and very patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The kids asked the next day when we would be doing this again.

    Danny

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a really good job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot and yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His attitude was fantastic, and he made the game enjoyable for all. I particularly appreciated how he could clearly explain what was required from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a wonderful time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thank you!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I arranged a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is very enthusiastic about it, and he was thoroughly pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • A very good GM, Baptiste adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. One issue was with the character sheets provided, which were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells (no healing spell) even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they'd ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach enabled the players to fully immerse themselves in the game by allowing them to control how they wanted their actions to be carried out. I would certainly work with her again.

    John

  • A pleasant and straightforward introduction to D&D. Amber was adept at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the rhythm and concentrate on the narrative. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack strategies was an enjoyable experience and provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a highly enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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