Critical Role really wants you to break their upcoming TTRPG, DaggerheartWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Critical Role really wants you to break their upcoming TTRPG, DaggerheartWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Darrington Press)

You’ll soon be able to try and probably break Daggerheart, the upcoming D&D rival from Critical Role.
You’ll be able to experience this new system first-hand very soon thanks to the upcoming launch of the Daggerheart Open Beta Playtest this March 12. With the full game due to make its debut in 2025, the publishing arm of Critical Role (Darrington Press) says that this period is a valuable opportunity for players to contribute their voices to the development process of this D&D competitor. More specifically:
“We want anyone and everyone (over the age of 18, please) to help us make Daggerheart as wonderful as possible, which means…helping us break the game. Seriously! The game is not finished or polished yet, which is why it’s critical (ha!) to gather all of your feedback."
(Image credit: Darrington Press)

What can playtesters expect once they dive in to Daggerheart’s playtest, then? Well, for a start, they’ll have access to character creation tools and the playtest Nexus through the Demiplane platform, which also hosts Critical Role’s previous game,Candela Obscura. They’ll also receive PDF game resources via DriveThruRPG.
Even before the playtest has begun, it’s clear Daggerheart has some interesting system quirks that set it apart from most TTRPGs. For one, Daggerheart will employ a 2d12 system, with each 12-sided die representing the opposing forces of hope and fear. Meanwhile, its character creation system promises to be a streamlined experience that takes cues from the likes ofIndex Card RPGand breaks everything down to an easily digestible format.
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(Image credit: Darrington Press)

However, once you consider Daggerheart’s focus on story-driven long-term play, you might be more reluctant to let fate decide what kind of hero you’ll be. That said, the open beta is the perfect time to experiment. So, why not be a part of Daggerheart’s Open Beta Playtesting when it begins onMarch 12?To mark the Open Beta Playtest launch – and Critical Role’s 9th-anniversary celebrations – the cast will do a live-streamed Daggerheart one-shot onTuesday, March 12 at 7pm Pacific. This should give you some fun ideas for your future campaigns.
Want to stick with D&D? Check out the bestDungeons and Dragons books. As for a chance of pace, try out thebest board games.
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Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Dragons$19.99$15.69ViewSee all pricesRunehammer Index Card RPG Master Edition$44ViewSee all pricesStarfinder Beginner Box$39.99$33.80ViewSee all pricesEvil Hat Productions Blades in the dark$30ViewSee all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Dragons$19.99$15.69ViewSee all prices
Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Dragons$19.99$15.69ViewSee all prices

Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Dragons
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