Acquisitions Incorporated Ditches D&D for Daggerheart: A Wizardly Look at the TTRPG Crossover We Didn't See Coming (But Should Have!)
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Acquisitions Incorporated, the beloved TTRPG actual-play show, is ditching D&D for Critical Role's Daggerheart, a move sparked by former D&D designers Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford joining Critical Role's publishing arm.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're meticulously crafting a spell, only for a tiny, unforeseen variable to send it spiraling off into a chaotic, yet ultimately brilliant, new direction? Yeah, that's pretty much what happened with Acquisitions Incorporated, the long-running actual-play juggernaut, and their recent system swap. They've decided to drop their trusty Dungeons & Dragons spellbook and instead embrace Critical Role's shiny new grimoire, Daggerheart.
Bloody hell, I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and it's wilder than it first appeared. At first glance, it feels like a total reality-bending event – Acq Inc, a show synonymous with D&D for well over a decade, making such a monumental pivot? It's like finding out your favourite goblin snack stand now serves artisan pastries. Shocking, a bit bewildering, but also... kinda intriguing, innit?
The initial whispers began at PAX West 2025, with Evelyn Marthain (the always radiant Anna Prosser) literally plunging a dagger into a construct's heart to 'reset reality.' A bit on the nose, perhaps? Then, the final, shimmering hint dropped at PAX Unplugged 2025, when none other than Matt Mercer, the Arch-Mage of Critical Role himself, joined the Acq Inc table as a player. Suddenly, the chaotic energy in the multiverse started making sense. The signs were there, we just needed to read the digital tea leaves a bit more closely, mate.
Now, a lesser show might have imploded under the weight of such a change, especially one that's been around since the dawn of 4th Edition D&D back in 2008. But Acq Inc isn't just any show. It's a comedic force of nature, a glorious parody of corporate greed and utter ineptitude, held together by the sheer talent of Jerry Holkins, Mike Krahulik, and their rotating cast of legendary players and DMs. They’ve always been more about the spectacle, the character shenanigans, and Omin Dran’s dubious contracts than the precise intricacies of Advantage or Disadvantage. This isn't a reboot; it's a natural evolution, much like a wizard finally mastering a new school of magic.
Think about it: Acq Inc has seen plenty of changes over the years. From its podcast beginnings, through its first live show at PAX West 2010 (which, fair dinkum, opened the floodgates for live-play TTRPGs!), transitioning from 4e to 5e, and even a brief jaunt to Greyhawk. Through all that, the core identity – the hilarious, chaotic energy – remained. Holkins and Krahulik are like the steadfast pillars of reality, keeping the show grounded even as it regularly threatens to spontaneously combust into a cloud of doves and paperwork.
But what really ties this all together, like a cleverly hidden ley line, is the recent, seismic shift in the TTRPG world. Back in April, the community collectively gasped when two of D&D's chief designers, Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford, left Wizards of the Coast. Where did they go? Only to Darrington Press, Critical Role's publishing arm, the very same folks who just launched Daggerheart! Perkins, as the original DM for Acq Inc, and Crawford, who took over the reins in 2018, are practically woven into the fabric of the show. Their move was, in hindsight, the ultimate precursor to this magical convergence.
This move makes a lot of sense, strategically speaking. Critical Role, bless their hearts, decided to stick with D&D for their much-anticipated Campaign 4. While a perfectly valid choice (and probably a smart one to avoid any unnecessary 'war' rumors with Wizards of the Coast), it did leave Daggerheart without its biggest, most obvious platform. Enter Acquisitions Incorporated. While it might not pull the same dizzying numbers as Critical Role, it's an established, respected brand with an impressive reach and a history of attracting major sponsorships.
Now, with Perkins and Crawford at Darrington Press *and* still deeply involved with Acq Inc, they've got the perfect sandbox to showcase Daggerheart. Imagine the new campaign settings, the fresh mechanics, all unveiled through the lens of Omin Dran's corporate shenanigans and Jim Darkmagic's surprisingly lethal doves. It's a win-win, really. Critical Role keeps its main show humming with D&D, and Daggerheart gets a premium, high-visibility stage with a beloved cast and legendary DMs.
And the fans? From what I'm hearing from PAX Unplugged, they're taking it in their stride. Acq Inc has always been about the laughs, the character interactions, and the delightful chaos. As Perkins himself put it, the show excels at balancing faithfulness to the TTRPG experience with just 'being its own thing' – amplifying the silliness and showing that you don't need to be a D&D sage to enjoy it. That formula, mate, is going to work just as well with Daggerheart. We'll still tune in to see Omin's bizarre love for paperwork, Evelyn's glorious sermons, and the perpetual exploitation of unfortunate interns. Whether they're rolling with Advantage or with 'Fear and Hope' dice, the comedy remains king.
The added bonus of Matt Mercer playing Omin's son, Bode, at PAX Unplugged was a stroke of genius, a proper crossover event that will surely draw more eyes to Acq Inc. It’s always been a pioneer, proving that TTRPGs can be compelling spectator sports, not just participation ones. With the PAX Unplugged show now on Critical Role's Beacon platform, it's a clear signal of newfound synergy and a bright future.
Honestly, I'm cautiously optimistic. Watching Chris Perkins run Acq Inc (and Dice, Camera, Action! back in the day) was what dragged me back into D&D and DMing after a long hiatus. My own DM style owes a fair bit to his chaotic brilliance. And I reckon as soon as I see him behind the screen, guiding Holkins, Krahulik, and the gang through a Daggerheart adventure, I'll be right there with a new character sheet, ready to dive in. This isn't just a system change; it's a testament to the evolving, vibrant world of TTRPGs, where the stories and the people often matter more than the rulebook itself. And that, my friends, is proper magic.
Original source: Polygon
Tags: TTRPGs, Daggerheart, Acquisitions Incorporated, Critical Role, Dungeons & Dragons
Original article: Polygon