Daggerheart is a tabletop roleplaying game created by the team at Critical Role. It features new roleplay elements, gameplay mechanics, and several playable classes. A standout aspect of this game is the inclusion of ancestry, similar to races in Dungeons & Dragons.
Even well-known ancestries from other games, like Dungeons & Dragons, have fresh and unexpected interpretations in Daggerheart. This is particularly true for giants and goblins, which are detailed in the core rulebook. Here’s what you should know about playing as either a giant or a goblin in Daggerheart.
Daggerheart will be released on May 20, 2025.
Understanding Giants in Daggerheart
In Daggerheart, giants are massive humanoid beings, characterized by their large frames and having one to three eyes. They can appear similar to oversized humans or have features resembling a cyclops.
Giants develop their eyes differently compared to other ancestries. In their first year, they are born without eyes. Additionally, their eye formations can change until they turn ten, allowing them the possibility of gaining more eyes over several years.
Along with these traits, giants have specific Ancestry Features:
|
Ancestry Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Endurance |
When you create a giant, you receive an extra Hit Point slot during character creation. |
|
Reach |
Any melee weapons, abilities, spells, or features can be treated by giants as if they have a very close range. |
As highlighted, giants are robust beings and can attack from a distance without needing to be in close range.
Given their two ancestry features, giants excel in melee combat. Consider this ancestry if you enjoy close-quarters play.
Understanding Goblins in Daggerheart
In contrast to giants, goblins are small humanoid creatures, easily recognized by their large eyes and ears.
These features grant them acute senses, allowing them to observe details and distances that surpass the capabilities of other ancestries.
Goblins showcase a variety of skin tones and eye colors and can utilize their ears to communicate silently with each other.
In addition to these traits, goblins have their own Ancestry Features:
|
Ancestry Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Surefooted |
You disregard disadvantage on Agility Rolls. |
|
Danger Sense |
Once per rest, you can mark a Stress to compel an enemy to reroll an attack targeting you or an ally nearby. |
As shown, goblins are agile and clever, greatly benefiting from ignoring disadvantages on Agility Rolls.
While it’s wise to monitor Stress levels, goblins can influence enemy attacks, helping to shield themselves or their allies from harm.
Be cautious with marked Stress; too much can leave your character exposed in several ways, so use this skill judiciously.
