I’ve written a fair about the beta playtest for Critical Role‘s upcoming RPG, Daggerheart. However, until I can get a game together, these are restricted to observations about what I’ve read, without much hands-on experience.

I want to take a different tack, engaging properly with the systems to try them out for myself and show others how they work. In this article, I’m going to go through the process of creating two first-level Daggerheart characters as a test.

I’m choosing two examples of Daggerheart character creation for a reason. I’m one of life’s conservative character creators. I love a Human Fighter in Dungeons & Dragons (although Human Artificer is a joint-favourite). I’m going to indulge my more reserved side for one Daggerheart character, and then try and push the boat out with the other.

Critical Role and Darrington Press have encouraged players to try and break Daggerheart‘s playtest to show mechanical weaknesses. I’m not going to try too much to do that. If I happen to see something exploitable, however, I’ll make sure to do that.

If possible, I’ll try and use one of these Daggerheart characters in a game at some point. Even if that doesn’t pan out, I imagine testing out the progression system will be equally fun.

Making A Human Ranger Character in Daggerheart

Choosing a Daggerheart Class and Subclass

I chose not to make a Human Warrior, for reasons I discuss in my article on the Daggerheart playtest’s few flaws. Instead, I wanted to make more of a hard-bitten outdoorswoman character. Somebody with a juicy tragic backstory for when I’m feeling dramatic.

As a result, the Ranger was a natural choice. It’s martial, which I enjoy, but with a broader scope and more options. I chose the Wayfinder subclass because this character feels selfish and I feel like an animal companion ill suits her. I also like its slightly mystical combat and navigation abilities.

Choosing a Heritage for a Daggerheart Character

I’ve already revealed that this character is going to have Human Ancestry. I have certain vices, and playing humans (and other ‘boring’ races) is one of them. Critical Role‘s Daggerheart playtest includes plenty of variety (check out Critical Role‘s character creation stream for some examples), but I’m returning to an old classic for now.

The cliche Ranger choice, whether in D&D 5e or in Daggerheart, is a Wildborne Community. However, I’m going to go for the more brutal natural option and choose Ridgeborne. I like the harder, more solitary feel of it (you probably get the vibe already). The armour bonus also suits the combat-ready, survivalist schtick.

Assigning Daggerheart Character Traits

Ever since Dungeons & Dragons, it’s remarkable how many TTRPGs, Daggerheart included, have been able to divide the human experience into six traits. Snark aside, there’s some very clear way to set my Ranger character up mechanically.

Agility is the highest stat for my Daggerheart character. She’s a climber, a stalker, a melee duelist. It’s a clear +2. The -1s is also easy. She hasn’t spent much time around people, so Presence. The two +1s are going into Instinct and Agility. She’s good with her hands and with hiding, and she knows when to do the latter. That leaves the 0s in Strength and Knowledge. She isn’t weak or ignorant, but she doesn’t specialise in either.

I also set my Daggerheart character’s Evasion here, which has a base of 10. She can hope for attacks to miss, but she really needs to boost it or find some armour.

The next step in Daggerheart character creation is also fixed, so I’m not giving it its own section. My Ranger gets Minor, Major, and Severe damage thresholds of 4, 9, and 14. These aren’t low, but neither are they the best. She also starts with 2 Hope, which is pleasant.

Starting Equipment in Daggerheart

I’m folding the various equipment steps in Daggerheart TTRPG character creation into one section. Thank me later.

The Ranger character sheet in Daggerheart encourages a Shortbow. I’m instead going to take a Shortsword. It’s a typical outdoors-y weapon. Something to fall back on when stealth has failed. Bizarrely, it’s a direct upgrade over the Saber, the other Daggerheart Agility melee weapon, which is disappointing.

For a Daggerheart secondary weapon, I was tempted to choose a second Shortsword for a classic dual-wielder feel. However, I’m going for Whip instead. It also uses Agility and can force enemies to back away to allow for escapes.

For armour, I’m giving my Daggerheart Ranger build a Breastplate. Leather is a classic choice that boosts Evasion. However, if I’m using armour to reduce damage, I want to push it down significantly. Maybe I’ll find other ways to increase my Evasion. My character isn’t putting all of her hopes on people missing.

I’m more afraid of hit point damage than anything else in Daggerheart, so I choose a Minor Health Potion. Her unique bit of kit will be a seemingly-broken compass, which I’ll come up with a reason for later.

Character Description in Daggerheart

Daggerheart character creation does slightly veer between the fluffier, description-based side of things and the mechanics toward the end. I’d have probably separated them more. However, there’s no denying that the system helps you conclusively build a character as you work.

I won’t give an in-depth description or my process for each, as you’re not trying to romance my Daggerheart character. By the end, however, she’s a lanky survivalist in muted clothes with eyes like night. Which is succinct but gives a vibe.

Daggerheart Ranger Class Domain Cards

Daggerheart’s Domain system in character creation gives impressive class identity (with overlap) and plenty of ways to customise your character. The Daggerheart Ranger class gets the survivalist Bone Domain and the natural magic Sage Domain.

The Bone Domain suits my Daggerheart character more, but I’m not discounting how helpful nature magic could be. For my starting two Domain Cards, I’ll take Deft Maneuvers to represent her mountainous upbringing, and Nimble to try and boost my survivability.

I’m not going to go into the Daggerheart TTRPG’s character progression here, but both Domains have plenty of interesting opportunities at higher levels.

Answering Daggerheart Background Questions

Background questions in Daggerheart are a little forward for my taste, but I can see their value for helping players grok a character immediately. As I’m trying out the system, I’ll use the default ones rather than invent my own.

What terrible creature hurt my Ranger’s community, and what trail does it leave? The dreaded Grimkin’s victims turn quickly into a black, oily sludge that stains the landscape.

In Daggerheart, my character’s first kill almost claimed her life too, and left some part of her never the same. It was a bandit raider who only missed her eye because she blocked the knife with her hand. The palm has been numb ever since it healed.

Where does my Ranger refuse to go, despite braving terrifying vistas? The Windbluff Road, the site of her greatest defeat.

I don’t actually have other players here with me yet, so I’ll skip Daggerheart‘s Connections questions when I get to them.

Generating Your Daggerheart Character’s Experiences

Now we move onto one of the most distinctive and frankly cool bits of Daggerheart character creation, Experiences.

As I’ve mentioned, my Ranger is a rough-bitten, selfish warrior. To honour that, I’m giving her the +2 Experience ‘Survivor’. Now, I would worry about this being too vague. You certainly can’t say “Well I’m fighting this person so I don’t die, I’ll spend a Hope for +2.”

Instead, I’d push to use Survivor to note danger, sense imminent betrayal, warn others of trouble, or even take selfish actions that keep my character safe while disregarding others. If a DM was worried about vagueness, I might change it to ‘Sole Survivor’ or something similar.

For my Daggerheart character’s +1, I want to dive into her upbringing. So I’m choosing ‘Child of High Places’. She grew up on cliffs and valleys. She knows the creatures and inhabitants of that terrain, is a fearless climber (or faller), and can handle the oxygen being a little thin.

Name and Pronouns

I’ve been using ‘she’ to refer to this Dagerheart character for most of the creation process, so I’ll stick with She/Her. A woman of the cliffs.

A name didn’t spring to mind immediately in the way it sometimes does. Instead, I chose ‘Garnet’ after considering stone-themed names. It’s also a nice reference to Final Fantasy IX.

Katari Wizard Character Creation in Daggerheart

Choosing a Daggerheart Class and Subclass

I truly don’t have anything against magical characters in TTRPGs like D&D 5e or Daggerheart. I just don’t tend toward them naturally.

To try and go against my natural instincts, I’m creating a full-on Wizard. Rather than a studious pupil or amoral scholar, however, I’m going for more of a stage magician. An illusionist and performer who happens to be able to throw real magic in a crisis.

Fitting this, I chose Daggerheart‘s School of Knowledge Wizard subclass over the School of War. He uses esoteric facts and arcane names to make his act sound impressive. They also happen to be useful for adventuring.

Wizard in Daggerheart also gives another choice to make. I’m giving this Wizard 3 for his Strange Patterns ability. He likes triads, triples, and trinities.

Choosing a Heritage for a Daggerheart Wizard

Aside from Humans in fantasy TTRPGs, I tend toward more humanoid races. Elves, Aasimar, and even Half-Orcs are well-represented in my characters. This time around, I’m trying to get weirder with Daggerheart‘s character creation.

So, Catboy.

I’m going with the Katari Ancestry despite having never played an animal race in D&D 5e. The re-rolls on Agility checks sound invaluable if my character ends up in a bad spot, and I’m sure some people like the aesthetic.

For his Community, I actually decided to go with Slyborne. The similarities between close-up magic and con artistry are very real. This Daggerheart character grew up around criminals and apparently turned the skills to something more wholesome. Maybe he remembers some old tricks.

Assigning Daggerheart Traits For a Wizard

As much of a showman as this Daggerheart character is, he’s also a Wizard first and foremost. I’m giving him +2 in Knowledge so he can cast and recall information effectively.

Another classic choice, I’m going to give him -1 Strength. Everyone knows that Wizards don’t lift anything heavier than books.

As a showman, I’m giving him +1 Presence to captivate a crowd and +1 Finesse to help with the non-arcane side of close-up magic. Sometimes the card really disappears, sometimes it’s up his sleeve.

That leaves this Daggerheart character with an Instinct and Agility of 0. Maybe he left his Slyborne home because he wasn’t great at knowing he was in danger or running when he was.

My Daggerheart Wizard build only has 8 Evasion, a very poor number. He also has weak hit points of 2, 7, and 12. He can’t take many hits, but he’s apparently optimistic given his 2 Hope.

Choosing Starting Equipment for a Daggerheart Character

Critical Role‘s Daggerheart recommends that Wizard characters start with a Greatstaff. However, that’s a poor choice for a magical showman. No pizazz at all. Instead, my Daggerheart Wizard is going to wield a Wand. It has slightly better damage dice and is one-handed, but lacks the Greatstaff’s reliability and range.

The one-handed Wand leaves my Wizard open for one of Daggerheart‘s secondary weapons. I’m going to give this character a Dagger. If enemies rush him, he’s not helpless. Against magically resistant foes, he can use it reasonably well with Finesse. Otherwise, he can open up enemies’ guards and blast them at point-blank for bonus damage.

I’m tempted to take full plate armour for this Daggerheart Wizard, given his Agility and Evasion are already poor. However, that doesn’t suit the aesthetic I’ve gone for. Leather armour it is, in the form of a stylish, tailored coat.

I’m also going to take a minor health potion because dear god this character will need it. We’ll also give him a tome he’s trying to decrypt, and have him cast magic with tarot cards he uses for tricks (as well as his wand).

Character Description for a Daggerheart Wizard

I dread to know what people have in mind for Daggerheart‘s catboys and catgirls. Don’t tell me. But the description system is still a good way to flesh out certain aspects.

This Daggerheart Wizard is a short Kitari the colour of fine sand. He has an attitude like a lit fuse, eyes like fire, and patchwork clothes. I’m getting Wonka vibes.

Daggerheart Wizard Class Domain Cards

The Wizard gets the very arcane Codex Domain and the more support-focused Splendor Domain in Daggerheart. This time around, I’m going to try and dip into both sides.

My first-level Daggerheart character will take the Book of Tyfar, primarily for its Magic Hand and Mysterious Mist abilities. In a pinch, however, I’m sure Wild Flame can come in handy.

I’m also going to take Reassurance to try and add some support to this character’s repertoire. In a system with this many ways to see a downside on a roll, giving allies a redo is a serious boon.

The Daggerheart Wizard’s Background Questions

Like before, I’m just going to take the game’s default background questions. For a proper campaign, I might go for more of my own take on the backstory.

What did my character’s community used to count on him for, and how did he let them down? I’m imagining he was used as the lookout for his Slyborne home. When keeping watch as they robbed a house in the far more prosperous community nearby, he got distracted and failed to let off magical sparks in time. Several were beaten and arrested.

Furthermore, my Daggerheart Wizard is searching for a book of great importance. This would be the Tome of Is’shirai, said to be the only way to find the legendary sorceress’ tomb. He wants to discover the great magical secrets within.

On top of that, he has a powerful rival. These backstories really are stacked. Another wizard considered taking him for an apprentice after watching a show. When my wizard discovered a dark secret about this other wizard, however, she set fire to circus tent he performed in and killed dozens.

Experiences for my Daggerheart Wizard

My Wizard is a street performer before he’s an adventurer, even if he does have many goals he has to leave the bustling city to achieve. As a result, he has the experience ‘Loves the Spotlight’ for a +2.

This isn’t a blanket bonus to any social checks. Instead, I’d use it to put on performances, hold people’s attentions, or cause a distraction. As with many Daggerheart experiences, I’m sure more niche uses for it could present themselves.

‘Sleight of Hand’ will be my Wizard’s +1 Experience, representing the more criminal side of his upbringing. It helps with his magic tricks, but also picking pockets, slipping things to others, and making objects disappear.

Name and Pronouns

As I’ve been demonstrating for much of this part of the article, my Daggerheart character uses he/him pronouns. I doubt he’d care if someone referred to him with ‘they’, but he vibes with ‘he’ most.

For a name, I immediately conjured up ‘Leto’. Dune: Part Two has destroyed my ability to think about anything that isn’t it.

Final Thoughts on Daggerheart Character Creation

Critical Role‘s Daggerheart TTRPG has a triumph of a character creation system. It doesn’t bog you down in maths, complicated point systems, or table upon table of options. It’s small enough to be accessible with enough moving parts for dozens of combinations.

I could have made a dozen characters in Daggerheart without retreading familiar ground. Furthermore, the process of creation is flat-out fun. The game makes you engage with aspects of character-building that are more voluntary in systems like D&D 5e.

I wouldn’t call it quick. I’d be hard-pressed to make a character in a short space of time. But much of that is unfamiliarity with the system and options.

In short, I fully recommend creating some characters in Daggerheart.

If you’ve enjoyed this article, please do check out another piece I did in ‘Things Critical Role’s Daggerheart Playtest Does Better Than D&D 5e‘. It’s not edition-warring.

Alternatively, if neither Daggerheart nor Dungeons & Dragons scratch your itch, try ‘Five Fantasy TTRPGs That Aren’t D&D 5e‘ for other suggestions.

As always, do like and share this article if you’ve enjoyed it. Leave any feedback, I’m always happy to hear it. And please do check out other Artificial Twenty content. Thanks!