Kobold Press, one of the most respected third-party publishers in the tabletop roleplaying game industry, is making a significant strategic move by expanding beyond its traditional Dungeons & Dragons roots. The company, best known for publishing Tales of the Valiant and numerous D&D sourcebooks, has announced its first-ever supplement for Daggerheart, the new fantasy roleplaying game developed by Critical Role’s Darrington Press. The announcement confirms that Kobold Press is positioning itself as a multi-system publisher capable of supporting the evolving tabletop gaming landscape.
The upcoming release, titled “Court and Shadow,” is described as a “Fey courts campaign frame” and will debut at Gen Con 2025. The news was confirmed on July 26 by Kobold Press art director Marc Radle in an ENWorld forum post, generating immediate excitement among tabletop gaming enthusiasts who have been following the development of Daggerheart since its initial playtest release in early 2023.
Daggerheart: The Rising Star of Fantasy RPGs
Daggerheart represents one of the most ambitious new entries in the fantasy roleplaying game market in recent years. Developed by Darrington Press, the publishing arm of Critical Role—the massively popular actual-play streaming phenomenon—Daggerheart was designed from the ground up to offer a fresh take on collaborative storytelling. The game utilizes a unique dual-dice system that balances hope and fear, creating dramatic tension through its core mechanics rather than relying solely on traditional success-or-failure rolls. Since its announcement, Daggerheart has attracted substantial attention from players looking for alternatives to the dominant systems in the market, and its official release has been met with considerable enthusiasm from the gaming community.
The decision by Kobold Press to support Daggerheart with original content signals a growing confidence in the system’s longevity and market appeal. Third-party publisher support is often considered a crucial indicator of a game system’s health, as it demonstrates that independent creators see commercial viability in developing content for the platform. Kobold Press’s entry into the Daggerheart ecosystem brings with it decades of experience in creating high-quality fantasy content, professional production values, and a loyal customer base that trusts the company’s creative output.
Kobold Press: A Legacy of Quality Content
Founded by Wolfgang Baur, a former editor at TSR and Wizards of the Coast, Kobold Press has built an impressive reputation over nearly two decades of publishing. The company began as a patron-supported venture and grew into one of the most successful third-party publishers in the D&D ecosystem. Their publications, including the critically acclaimed “Tome of Beasts” monster compendiums and various adventure modules, have become staples at gaming tables worldwide. The company’s flagship product, Tales of the Valiant, represents their own complete fantasy roleplaying system that maintains compatibility with fifth edition D&D while offering unique mechanical innovations.
Gen Con, where “Court and Shadow” will debut, serves as the perfect venue for such an announcement. Held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana, Gen Con is the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America, regularly attracting over 70,000 attendees. The convention has historically been the launching pad for major gaming releases and announcements, making it an ideal setting for Kobold Press to showcase its expansion into new gaming systems. The Fey courts theme of the supplement aligns perfectly with Daggerheart’s emphasis on narrative-driven gameplay and fantastical worldbuilding, suggesting that Kobold Press has carefully considered how to leverage their expertise in creating evocative fantasy settings.
What This Means for the Tabletop Industry
This announcement reflects broader trends in the tabletop roleplaying game industry, where players and publishers alike are increasingly exploring alternatives to the traditional market leaders. The controversy surrounding Wizards of the Coast’s proposed Open Gaming License changes in early 2023 prompted many publishers to diversify their offerings and invest in other systems. Kobold Press was notably among the first major publishers to announce Tales of the Valiant as a direct response to those concerns. Their move to support Daggerheart suggests a continued commitment to building a more diverse and resilient publishing portfolio that doesn’t depend entirely on any single game system’s licensing arrangements.
For Daggerheart players, the involvement of Kobold Press represents a significant validation of their chosen system and promises high-quality content from experienced designers. The “Court and Shadow” supplement’s focus on Fey courts offers rich storytelling potential, drawing on centuries of folklore and mythology surrounding the fair folk. As Gen Con 2025 approaches, anticipation will undoubtedly build among fans eager to see what Kobold Press brings to this exciting new chapter in tabletop gaming.
Expert Opinion: Kobold Press’s entry into Daggerheart publishing represents a pivotal moment for the new system’s ecosystem. When established publishers with proven track records begin supporting emerging game systems, it typically accelerates community growth and signals to other content creators that the platform offers genuine commercial opportunities. If “Court and Shadow” performs well at Gen Con, we can expect to see additional third-party publishers follow Kobold Press’s lead, potentially establishing Daggerheart as a major player in the fantasy RPG market within the next two to three years.
