Daggerheart is the newest big fantasy tabletop RPG, from Darrington Press, the publisher behind Critical Role. If you're looking at it and at Dungeons & Dragons and wondering which to try first, here's an honest comparison from a venue that runs both.

The short answer

Both are great first games. D&D is the one most people have heard of, with the biggest community and the most places to play. Daggerheart is built to keep the story moving, with a lighter feel in combat and more room for players to shape scenes. If you can, try both. At GuildHall a session of either costs about the same as a movie and dinner.

Dice: one d20 vs two d12s

D&D runs on a single twenty-sided die (d20). Roll it, add a bonus, and try to beat a target number.

Daggerheart uses two twelve-sided dice called Duality Dice: one for Hope, one for Fear. You add them up to see if you succeed, and whichever die rolls higher tells you whether things tilt your way (Hope) or give the GM a new complication (Fear). So even a success can come with a twist, which keeps every roll interesting.

Combat: turn order vs spotlight

In D&D, combat uses initiative. Everyone rolls, and you take turns in that order.

Daggerheart has no fixed turn order. The spotlight moves around the table based on what's happening, and the GM steps in when Fear gives them the chance. Fights feel more like a scene in a film than a board game, though it takes a few rounds to get used to.

Characters

D&D characters come from a class and species, with a lot of options across many books. That's great once you know the game, and a bit much on day one.

Daggerheart builds a character from a class and a domain card deck, and your abilities sit in front of you as cards. Many new players find cards easier to follow than flipping through pages.

Which is easier for beginners?

Both are very playable on day one when a good GM is teaching. Roughly:

Pick D&D if you want the game your friends have heard of, more chances to play across Singapore, and a clear structure in fights.
Pick Daggerheart if you're drawn to storytelling and character drama, like the idea of cards in front of you, and want combat that flows.

Where can I play Daggerheart in Singapore?

GuildHall runs Daggerheart one-shots on Saturday evenings, 3 hours, at $30 a seat. No experience or rulebook needed: the GM teaches as you play, and you can book a single seat. See Daggerheart dates.

Where can I play D&D in Singapore?

For a first game, book Learn To Play D&D ($20, 3 hours). Already played once? Our D&D One Shots run like an ongoing campaign you can drop in and out of, with no commitment.

Our take

There's no wrong first pick. The best RPG for a beginner is the one with a good GM and a friendly table. Try one, then try the other, and see which one you're still thinking about on the MRT home.

Daggerheart vs D&D: Which Should Beginners Try First?