Darrington Press has officially launched the Daggerheart Core Set on the Fantasy Grounds virtual tabletop, providing a digital lifeline for a player base currently grappling with severe physical retail shortages. The release comes as the “Hope and Fear” engine, designed by Spenser Starke, transitions from a narrative-heavy tabletop experience to a high-automation digital environment.
The timing of this digital expansion is a strategic necessity. As of late March 2026, physical copies of the Daggerheart Core Set have become increasingly elusive. On Amazon UK, stock levels for the flagship title have plummeted to a mere seven copies, reflecting a broader “sell-through” trend that has outpaced Darrington Press’s production capacity. For many groups, the digital platform now represents the only guaranteed way to access the full ruleset without navigating the inflated prices of the secondary market.
The Post-MegaCon Pivot
The launch also carries a distinct geographic signal. SmiteWorks, the developer behind Fantasy Grounds, is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, just a short distance from the Orange County Convention Center which hosted MegaCon Orlando 2026 earlier this month. The convention, which concluded on 22 March, saw a massive surge in interest for indie-narrative systems, leaving many fans searching for physical stock that had already been depleted.
By shifting the focus to the VTT, SmiteWorks is positioning Fantasy Grounds as the “post-con” solution for the Florida gaming hub and the wider global community. The platform’s implementation of Daggerheart includes a dedicated ruleset designed to automate the game’s unique duality dice mechanics, ensuring that the “Success with Fear” narrative prompts are tracked seamlessly without stalling the flow of play.
Mechanics vs. Automation
The transition of Spenser Starke’s design into a VTT environment is a significant test of the system’s adaptability. Starke, known for the high-emotion mechanics of Alice is Missing, built Daggerheart to be a conversation-driven experience. Fantasy Grounds, traditionally lauded for its rigorous handling of “crunchy,” math-heavy systems, must now prove it can support a game where the “friction” is meant to be narrative rather than numerical.
The Fantasy Grounds package includes a complete reference manual, integrated character sheets, and all illustrated cards for backgrounds and domain abilities. While the automation handles the mechanical heavy lifting, the “walled garden” nature of the Daggerheart Community Gaming License – which limits digital distribution to official partners – continues to be a point of discussion among those who prefer open-source or DIY digital tools.
Quick Links
- Digital Ruleset: Daggerheart Core Set on Fantasy Grounds
- Physical Core Set: Daggerheart on Amazon (Check Availability)
