Helldivers 2, the latest game from Arrowhead Games, has made a significant impact on gaming culture this year. For a month, social media was filled with memes inspired by its absurd gameplay. But what’s behind this comedic play? The answer lies in a tabletop role-playing game called Drakar och Demoner, also known as Dragonbane.
Drakar och Demoner, developed by Swedish publisher Free League, aims to cultivate a “mirth and mayhem” playstyle. Players choose professions and species, but with unique twists that differ from traditional Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). The central mechanic involves rolling low on a d20 system instead of high, adding a comedic twist.
Free League’s lighter fare, Dragonbane, has strong D&D overtones but with a different pace and style of play. The game has seen multiple editions and publishers, including a recent Kickstarter for an English-language edition that raised over $700,000. Dragonbane’s impact on Helldivers 2 is undeniable, and fans can thank it for the comedic tone in the latter.
The Dragonbane Bestiary, Monsters Standee Set, and game master’s screen are all available add-ons, suitable inspiration for any system. While not identical to Drakar och Demoner, Helldivers 2’s humor roots lie in this Swedish tabletop game that has been entertaining players for over 40 years.
Source: https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/497774/helldivers-2-inspired-by-dnd-dragonbane-free-league