Critical Role has been operating at an incredible pace lately. While the team recently concluded the animated transition of their sophomore Dungeons & Dragons journey, The Mighty Nein, and is currently developing Campaign 4, they haven’t sidelined their proprietary tabletop system. The debut of a new actual-play series on their Beacon streaming platform confirms that Daggerheart remains a central focus for the company.
In a creative alliance with the New Zealand-based comedy troupe Viva La Dirt League—famous for their massive YouTube presence—a fresh Daggerheart adventure titled Daggerheart: Azerim is officially on the horizon.
As first reported by Nerdist, the production features the beloved Baradun and the Dickheads party. Robin Hartley steps into the role of Games Master, guiding players Ben Van Lier, Adam King, Rowan Bettejeman, and Alan Morrison. Azerim serves as the familiar setting for fans of the Epic NPC Man sketches, but this time, the group is trading D&D mechanics for the Beast Feast campaign framework found within Daggerheart.
The narrative stakes appear high; the trailer suggests the party begins by tracking a thief who absconded with Bodger’s Grandfather’s Hammer. However, this simple quest quickly spirals into an existential crisis as they confront the “Void,” a malevolent force threatening the very fabric of their world.
Image: Beacon / Viva La Dirt League / Critical Role
Daggerheart is a fantasy RPG published by Darrington Press, the in-house label for Critical Role. Announced in 2023, it moved through an extensive beta phase before its full 2025 release. While the studio has utilized the system for various limited series, they have largely maintained their partnership with Wizards of the Coast for their primary, long-running campaigns. The last major Daggerheart outing from the core cast was the well-received Age of Umbra, which aired several months ago.
This joint venture with Viva La Dirt League highlights a strategic shift for Critical Role, positioning Beacon as a premiere destination for diverse creators to showcase the Daggerheart engine. This trend was further emphasized by Matthew Mercer’s recent appearance on Acquisitions Incorporated’s own Daggerheart premiere at PAX Unplugged 2025. It seems clear that while D&D remains the backbone of the main show, Daggerheart is being cultivated through high-profile collaborations.
By inviting other talented performers into the fold, Critical Role is expanding the reach of its game system. Viva La Dirt League’s unique brand of slapstick comedy and epic storytelling makes them an ideal candidate for this spotlight. Daggerheart: Azerim debuts on Beacon this January 13. Subscribers to VIVA+ can catch the action on January 20, followed by a wide release on YouTube on January 27.
Source: Polygon
