Artwork by Cher-Ro
Hope & Fear Explained
Understanding Hope & Fear
in Daggerheart
One of the most exciting parts of this TTRPG is how Hope and Fear shape your story. These two forces aren’t just abstract ideas—they directly impact the tone of your adventures and the gameplay itself. Below, we’ll break down how Hope and Fear work, show you how they can change the flow of a session, and give you some real in-game examples.
Want to go further?
This overview offers a basic look at Hope & Fear in Daggerheart. We recommend checking out the full rules for a deeper dive and visiting Demiplane Nexus to get familiar with the game.
What Are Hope and Fear?
Hope
Hope represents the uplifting side of the story: optimism, clever thinking, and those moments where a character rises to the occasion. Mechanically, Hope can give you handy boosts, like helping a friend or unlocking special class abilities at just the right time.
Fear
Fear represents the darker side: looming threats, danger, and obstacles lurking around every corner. It’s a way for the GM to dial up the tension and throw unexpected twists into the mix.
How They Work Together
In Daggerheart, you’ll often roll Duality Dice—two d12s of different colors. One represents Hope; the other represents Fear. Whichever die comes out on top influences the “tone” of your result. So even if you succeed or fail, the higher die dictates whether the outcome feels more hopeful or more foreboding.
Artwork by Cher-Ro
A BEACON OF LIGHT
How Hope Works
Whenever you roll and end up with an outcome flavored by Hope (like “Success with Hope” or “Failure with Hope”), you earn a Hope token. You can spend these tokens in a few ways:
Helping an Ally
Spend 1 Hope token to give a friend an Advantage Die (d6) on their next roll. This is a great way to spread the good vibes and work together as a team!
Experiences
If your character has some cool narrative abilities or backstory elements, you can fuel them by spending Hope tokens. It’s like drawing on your character’s best qualities or heroic moments to make something special happen.
Hope Gameplay Scenario
The party is sneaking through a fortress to rescue someone who’s been taken captive. Harper, a rogue, needs to pick a heavy-duty lock without drawing attention.
- Harper rolls their Duality Dice to see if they can pop the lock.
- Roll Outcome: Harper’s Duality Dice show a “Success with Hope.”
- Result: Not only does Harper pop the lock open, but they find a hidden note with a map of the fortress. Plus, Harper scores a Hope token to use later, maybe to lend a friend a helping hand or to power a rogue-specific Hope ability.
Artwork by Cher-Ro
The Grip of Dread
How Fear Works
When Fear takes the lead on a roll’s outcome, the GM gets a Fear token. They can use these tokens to:
Interrupt Player Actions
By spending 2 Fear tokens, the GM can throw in an unexpected challenge or problem right when things seem to be going smoothly.
Enhance Adversaries
Some enemies have special tricks or powers that only trigger when Fear is spent, making them a bigger threat.
Use the Environment
Fear can also fuel dramatic environmental changes—like sudden storms, collapsing structures, or eerie sounds that increase tension.
Fear Gameplay Scenario
Still inside that fortress, Silas the warrior tries to keep a crumbling bridge from collapsing while everyone else rushes across.
- Silas rolls to see if they can hold the bridge together.
- Roll Outcome: Silas ends up with a “Failure with Fear.”
- Result: The bridge falls apart just after the last ally crosses, and the GM gains a Fear token. The GM immediately spends it to say that the noise alerts nearby guards. Now the party has a choice: stand and fight or make a run for it while the tension rises!
Strategic and Narrative Implications
For Players
- Build Momentum with Hope - Work together to make the most of Hope tokens. Use them at critical moments for powerful teamwork combos.
- Embrace the Tension of Fear - Fear doesn’t just mean bad news. Sure, it raises the stakes, but it also opens the door to dramatic, memorable scenes. Your biggest failures can become your best stories!
For Game Masters
- Use Fear Wisely - Balance is key. Keep the tension alive without overwhelming your players. Too many Fear-driven twists can leave the party feeling helpless.
- Set the Mood - When Fear reigns, describe eerie changes in the setting—like unnatural shadows or a sudden hush in the forest. It’s a great way to heighten suspense and draw everyone into the moment.