How to Start a Daggerheart Campaign with Solar Gardens
By Critical Role Store | Published: 2026-10-28
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to launch a Daggerheart campaign using Solar Gardens as a light-hearted one-shot or side quest. This guide covers setup, character integration, and session tips.
Quick Answer
Use Solar Gardens as a light-hearted one-shot or side quest to ease into your Daggerheart campaign. Its tile-drafting mechanics and cooperative theme make it a natural warm-up for new players.
Why Solar Gardens Fits a Daggerheart Campaign
Solar Gardens is a tile-drafting board game where players act as architects building a carbon-neutral rooftop garden. Its cooperative, sustainability-focused theme aligns well with Daggerheart's emphasis on community and strategy. Using it as a one-shot lets players learn basic RPG concepts like resource management and teamwork without the pressure of a full campaign.
The game's light-hearted tone also helps new players feel comfortable. You can run it as a standalone session or weave it into your campaign as a side quest where characters must design a garden to restore a damaged ecosystem.
Steps to Start Your Daggerheart Campaign with Solar Gardens
- Introduce Solar Gardens as a One-Shot Session: Run Solar Gardens as a standalone game before character creation. Let players experience the tile-drafting mechanics and cooperative vibe. This builds familiarity with group dynamics and decision-making without RPG rules. Common mistake: Skipping the one-shot and jumping straight into character creation. The one-shot helps set expectations and reduces overwhelm.
- Create Daggerheart Characters Tied to the Garden: After the one-shot, have each player create a Daggerheart character whose backstory connects to the garden. For example, a botanist scholar, a druid guardian, or a rogue who used the garden as a hideout. This gives immediate hooks for the campaign. Checkpoint: Ensure each character has at least one personal reason to protect or improve the garden.
- Design a Simple Side Quest Using Solar Gardens: Convert the garden into a side quest location. Use the tile-drafting as a puzzle: players must collect specific resources to complete the garden and unlock a reward. Keep the objective clear and time-bound to maintain momentum. Common mistake: Making the side quest too complex. Keep it to one or two sessions to maintain the light-hearted feel.
- Transition to the Main Campaign: After the side quest, reveal a larger threat or mystery tied to the garden's success. For instance, the garden's energy attracts a dangerous creature, or a rival faction wants to steal the technology. This naturally leads into a full campaign arc. Checkpoint: Ask players what they want to explore next. Their answers will guide the campaign direction.
Product Facts
- Solar Gardens: Solar Gardens is a fun-filled, light-hearted tile-drafting board game where each player takes on the role of a visionary architect specializing in carbon neutral engineering. This cooperative, theme-driven gameplay makes it an ideal icebreaker for new RPG groups, teaching collaboration and resource management in a low-stakes setting.
Solar Gardens
