Daggerheart

Hope and fear in the balance

Q: How does the Hope and Fear system work in Daggerheart?

You roll two d12s, a Hope die and a Fear die. Whichever die rolls higher determines narrative control. If the Hope die is higher, the player describes the outcome. If the Fear die is higher, the GM introduces a complication alongside any success. Rolling doubles (both dice showing the same number) is a critical success. This creates a dynamic narrative where both players and the GM share storytelling responsibilities.

Q: What are the classes in Daggerheart?

Daggerheart has nine classes: Bard (performer and inspirer), Druid (nature shaper), Guardian (protector and tank), Ranger (explorer and tracker), Rogue (stealth and cunning), Seraph (divine champion), Sorcerer (raw magical power), Warrior (martial combatant), and Wizard (studied spellcaster). Each class has two subclasses that specialize your playstyle.

Q: What are domain cards in Daggerheart?

Domain cards represent your character's class abilities and powers. Each class draws from specific domains. As you level up, you gain access to more powerful domain cards. They function like ability decks that define what your character can do in and out of combat.

Q: How do traits work in Daggerheart?

Daggerheart uses six traits: Agility (speed and reflexes), Strength (physical power), Finesse (precision and dexterity), Instinct (awareness and intuition), Knowledge (learning and memory), and Presence (charisma and force of personality). Traits are assigned from the starting array +2, +1, +1, 0, 0, -1 and are added to your 2d12 roll when making action rolls.

Pick a card. Roll the dice. Tell the story. Every action rolls 2d12, one Hope, one Fear, and your domain cards shape the moments you'll be remembered for.

Quickstart

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Character creation

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Character sheet

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Advancement

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Classes

Classes and what they do at the table

Ancestries

Character ancestries and heritage

Communities

Background communities and upbringing

Traits

The six modifiers behind every roll

Domains

Magic and ability card pools your class draws from

What is Daggerheart?

Daggerheart is a heroic fantasy tabletop RPG by Darrington Press that uses a unique 2d12 Hope and Fear dice system. Players create heroes defined by their ancestry, community, class, and subclass, then embark on adventures where narrative control shifts between players and the GM based on which die rolls higher.

How Daggerheart works

Character creation in Daggerheart starts with choosing your ancestry (e.g., Clank, Drakona, Dwarf, Elf, Faerie, Faun, Firbolg, Fungril, Galapa, Giant, Goblin, Halfling, Human, Infernis, Katari, Orc, Ribbet, Simiah) and community (the eight canonical options: Highborne, Loreborne, Orderborne, Ridgeborne, Seaborne, Slyborne, Wanderborne, Wildborne). These provide background bonuses and roleplay hooks.

Key game mechanics

2d12 Hope & Fear system: Narrative control shifts based on which die rolls higher

9 classes with 2 subclasses each: Bard, Druid, Guardian, Ranger, Rogue, Seraph, Sorcerer, Warrior, Wizard

18 ancestries: Clank, Drakona, Dwarf, Elf, Faerie, Infernis, and more

6 traits: Agility, Strength, Finesse, Instinct, Knowledge, Presence

Domain card system: Class abilities that grow with your character

Critical success on doubles: Both dice showing the same number

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Daggerheart frequently asked questions

How does the Hope and Fear system work in Daggerheart?

What are the classes in Daggerheart?

What are domain cards in Daggerheart?

How do traits work in Daggerheart?

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Hope and fear in the balance

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What is Daggerheart?

How Daggerheart works

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Daggerheart frequently asked questions

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