Night Hunters Game on Kickstarter: Why This Gothic Horror RPG is Breaking Records

The Night Hunters game on Kickstarter is bringing spine-tingling Gothic horror to your gaming table, and if you're a fan of dark fantasy adventures, this campaign is about to become your next obsession. Created by the legendary Kobold Press, this isn't just another supplement—it's a complete transformation of how you experience terror and triumph in your tabletop RPG sessions.

With over $169,000 pledged from 1,392 passionate backers (crushing the original $54,146 goal), Night Hunters has already proven that the tabletop community is hungry for horror done right. And after diving into everything this campaign offers, it's crystal clear why players are flocking to back this project.

A Complete Gothic Horror Experience

What makes Night Hunters truly special is how comprehensive it is. This isn't a half-measure or a thin veneer of spooky aesthetics slapped onto existing mechanics. Kobold Press has crafted an entire ecosystem of horror that transforms both player and GM experiences from the ground up.

Character Options That Embrace the Darkness

The character creation possibilities alone are worth the price of admission. You'll get access to five supernatural subclasses that don't just dabble in horror—they live and breathe it. The Nemesis fighter embodies relentless vengeance, while the Cursebreaker cleric stands as humanity's last defense against supernatural evil. There's even a sorcerer whose very bloodline carries an ancestral curse, turning inherited power into a double-edged sword.

But where Night Hunters really shines is in its monstrous lineages. The fan-favorite darakhul returns alongside two never-before-seen options that'll make your jaw drop. Play as a gravewrought—a tragic construct stitched together from the flesh of the dead—or embrace the hexen, beings born from insidious hag-magic. These aren't superficial character choices; they're gateways to completely unique roleplaying experiences that'll haunt your gaming sessions in the best possible way.

Backgrounds and Heritages Dripping with Atmosphere

The five Gothic backgrounds tap into classic horror tropes that feel both familiar and thrilling. Become a Physician with knowledge of anatomy that borders on the macabre, an Occultist wielding profane secrets, or a Monster Hunter whose unflappable determination has kept them alive through countless nightmarish encounters.

The heritage options are equally compelling. The Survivor heritage represents those rare souls who defied impossible odds, while the Sepulchral heritage embodies characters born into a world where death holds dominion. Each option comes with clear guidance for crafting horror-based backstories, making it incredibly easy to create flawed heroes perfectly tuned for redemption arcs in a terror-filled campaign.

Game Master Tools That Deliver Real Scares

Night Hunters doesn't leave GMs hanging when it comes to running genuinely frightening sessions. The all-new Shadow Token System is a brilliant mechanic that tempts players with rewards in exchange for embracing peril. Imagine whispering promises of power to your players, watching them willingly step through darkened doorways into villainous schemes and revelations they can never undo. It's psychological horror at its finest.

The Dread System Gets Supercharged

If you've used the Dread system from the Game Master's Guide, prepare to have your mind blown. Night Hunters expands it with short and long-term effects tailored to different brands of horror. Whether you're running cosmic terror, Gothic romance, or visceral body horror, you'll have mechanical support to make those themes resonate at the table.

The GM toolkit is absolutely packed: a Ghost Story Generator, a d100 table of Haunting Manifestations, a deliciously dark "Tragic Ways to Die" table for creating ghostly origins, and hooks featuring forbidden love beyond the grave. Plus, you get 60 new curses, diseases, and hazards to torment your players with fiendish creativity.

Villains Worth Hunting

The 13 terrifying villains included in Night Hunters are the crown jewels of this supplement. These aren't generic stat blocks—each antagonist comes with custom mechanics, detailed schemes, lair actions, unique minion stats, spells, items, and special rewards. They're designed to push heroic hunters to their absolute breaking point across various difficulty levels and horror subgenres.

Night Terrors: Adventures That Showcase the Horror

The Night Terrors adventure collection delivers 12 dark scenarios built specifically to showcase Night Hunters' full potential. From bloodthirsty cults and dangerous rituals to undead courts and forbidden journeys into Hell itself, each adventure is a nightmare waiting just beyond the firelight. These aren't throwaway one-shots—they're carefully crafted tales that challenge both players and GMs to embrace the darkness.

The Shadow Oracle Deck: Storytelling Magic

While not required for play, the Shadow Oracle deck is an absolute game-changer. This Tarot-sized set of 56 illustrated cards combines Night Hunters' dread villains with traditional Major Arcana elements, creating a storytelling tool unlike anything else in tabletop gaming. It even includes rules for Shadowjack, an in-world card game that adds another layer of immersion to your sessions.

Premium Add-Ons That Enhance the Experience

Beyond the core books, Night Hunters offers Kobold Press exclusives including the Shadow Oracle deck, a Spirit Board playmat, and shadow tokens. For the truly committed horror enthusiast, there's the Queen of Death Horror Mega-Bundle—over 2,500 pages of terror across 15 major horror and dark fantasy titles at 75% off.

Why This Campaign Deserves Your Support

Kobold Press has been a powerhouse in tabletop RPG design since 2006, publishing over 300 game books with a collaborative design style and heavy playtesting that consistently delivers quality. This is the same studio that designed Tyranny of Dragons and Ghosts of Saltmarsh for D&D 5th Edition—they know how to create unforgettable gaming experiences.

With an all-star team of designers, editors, and artists bringing Night Hunters to life, this project represents nearly two decades of expertise channeled into the definitive Gothic horror supplement. Whether you're planning a single night of terror or a full horror campaign, Night Hunters gives you everything you need to make it legendary.

The campaign has 24 days remaining, and with the community's overwhelming support already evident, this is your chance to join a movement that's redefining horror in tabletop gaming. Don't let this opportunity slip into the shadows.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Night Hunters Game on Kickstarter

Is Night Hunters compatible with D&D 5E?

Yes, Night Hunters is fully compatible with D&D 5E. Since it's written for Tales of the Valiant RPG—which works seamlessly with 5E—players can integrate all the character options, villains, and adventures directly into their existing campaigns without any conversion needed.

Are the physical add-ons required to play?

The Spirit Board playmat, Shadow Tokens, and Shadow Oracle deck are completely optional. Players can enjoy Night Hunters and Night Terrors without these components. However, the book includes mechanics designed to work with these items, and they do enhance the atmosphere, tension, and immersion of sessions for those who want the premium experience.

What age rating does Night Hunters have?

Night Hunters maintains a PG-13 content guideline. While it features dark themes, frightening imagery, and mature narrative elements typical of Gothic horror, the content isn't gratuitously graphic. Game Masters are encouraged to review materials and adjust content based on their table's comfort levels.

Can backers add a Limited Edition book to their pledge?

No, Limited Edition books are exclusive to specific reward tiers and cannot be purchased as separate add-ons. They're also only occasionally available after the Kickstarter campaign ends.

How does the Shadow Oracle deck work in gameplay?

The Shadow Oracle deck contains 56 tarot-sized cards featuring original artwork by Damjan Gjorgievski. While not required for play, it serves as both a fortunetelling tool and includes rules for Shadowjack—an in-world card game that heightens immersion and adds narrative depth to gaming sessions.