Daggerheart Oversized Hope & Fear Dice: How to Use Them
By Critical Role Store | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use the oversized Hope & Fear d12s at your Daggerheart table, from reading the results to handling Hope and Fear points without slowing play.
Quick answer
Use the oversized Hope & Fear dice exactly as you would the standard d12s in Daggerheart: roll them together for action rolls, read the Hope die and Fear die separately, and apply the higher result to determine Hope or Fear. Their larger size makes the two results easier to see across the table, but the mechanics stay the same.
Why size matters at the table
The main practical benefit of oversized dice is visibility. In Daggerheart, every action roll produces two d12 results that point in different directions: one Hope, one Fear. When those dice are small, players and GMs often lean in or ask for a reroll just to confirm which die showed what. Larger dice reduce that friction, especially in a busy game with five or six players.
The trade-off is space. Two oversized d12s take up more room on a character sheet or rolling tray, and they can scatter farther if you roll on an open table. A shallow tray or a dedicated rolling area helps keep them contained without changing how they function.
When to reach for the oversized set
These dice are best for the action rolls that carry the most weight: a decisive attack, a risky persuasion attempt, or any moment when the whole table is watching. Using them for every roll can slow things down if your group prefers quick, frequent checks with smaller dice. Many tables keep the oversized pair as a visible centerpiece and use standard dice for routine rolls.
They also work well for a GM who wants players to see the Fear result clearly. Since the Fear die often triggers GM moves, having that number visible across the table can speed up the back-and-forth.
How to use the oversized Hope & Fear dice step by step
- Assign Hope and Fear before you roll: Decide which die is Hope and which is Fear and keep that assignment consistent for the whole session. The blue and orange colors make this easy, but agree on it out loud the first time. Common mistake: switching colors mid-session and misreading a result. Say the assignment out loud once so everyone at the table is working from the same rule.
- Roll both dice together for action rolls: When the GM calls for an action roll, roll both d12s at the same time along with any other dice the roll requires. Do not roll them separately, because the Hope and Fear results are meant to be read as a pair. Checkpoint: both dice should come to rest in the same area so you can compare them at a glance.
- Read the higher die to determine Hope or Fear: Compare the two numbers. If the Hope die is higher, the roll generates Hope; if the Fear die is higher, it generates Fear. If they tie, the result is a critical success, which in Daggerheart grants extra Hope and clears a Stress. Common mistake: adding the two dice together instead of comparing them. Ties are not a failure; treat them as a critical success and follow the Daggerheart rules for that outcome.
- Bank Hope and Fear points as the rules direct: After reading the result, update your Hope or Fear pool as your character sheet or the GM instructs. The oversized dice are just a visual aid; the actual tracking still happens on paper or with tokens. Checkpoint: confirm the new total with the GM before the next roll, especially if a Fear result triggers a GM move.
- Keep the oversized dice contained: Use a rolling tray or a defined rolling area to stop the larger dice from knocking over miniatures or falling off the table. Their size makes them more likely to roll far. Common mistake: rolling them on an open table near loose papers or drinks. A shallow tray protects both the dice and the table without changing how they roll.
Product facts
- Daggerheart Oversized Hope & Fear Dice: This set contains two oversized, sharp-edged resin d12s with metallic silver numbering, one blue and one orange. The two colors make it easy to assign one die to Hope and one to Fear before the roll, so there is no confusion about which result is which.
Daggerheart Oversized Hope & Fear Dice
