One unconventional indie Dungeons & Dragons system would be a unique setting for a possible TV show and allow for a blending of some unexpected genres. There are several things that seem obvious for a Dungeons & Dragons show, such as there being an abundance of magic, sword fights, and monsters, all wrapped in some form of a pseudo-medieval world. However, the tabletop’s most well-known system is not the only one that could be utilized, as several alternative systems exist that have twists to the standard format of Dungeons & Dragons.

From Dragonlance‘s distinct world-building to Curse of Stahd’s classic horror elements, settings for a possible Dungeons & Dragons show abound for studios to choose from. That being said, many of those studios may still have some trepidation about a possible project involving the tabletop game, as Honor Among Thieves proved that those high fantasy elements could isolate some audiences. Fortunately, one recently released system may provide the perfect setting for a show that relies both on the fantastical aspects of the tabletop, as well as more modern tropes: Monsterhearts.

Monsterhearts Is A Great System For A Dungeons & Dragons TV Show

Monsterhearts Was Released By Avery Alder In 2012

A Dungeons & Dragons TV show that is set in the Monsterhearts system would be fascinating, as it incorporates so many different tropes and allows for a lot of creative world-building. Monsterhearts is a module with a similar format to the Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Masters Guide, but it takes place in a fictional high school and surrounding area that players can work together to create. Each character in Monsterhearts has a “skin” that gives them a collection of special abilities that they can use to navigate the story. The main ones include the Fae, the Ghost, and the Witch.

Monsterhearts explores many aspects of one’s teenage years, including sexuality and LGBTQ+ themes, alongside other staple storylines that center on growing up. It also allows for players to lean into whatever set of tropes the party wants to experience, as seen in the slightly more horror-leaning Cinderbrush: A Monsterhearts Story one-shot from Critical Role. The system’s versatility and ability to mix genres would allow a Dungeons & Dragons TV show to reach more audiences, making it a stronger system to pull from over the tabletop’s more established settings.

A Monsterhearts Show Could Be Better For Studios Than A More Traditional D&D Setting

The Show Could Combine Traditional High School Dramas Tropes With Fantasy Elements

Using the Monsterhearts system for a Dungeons & Dragons ​​​​​​show would be smart, as studios could market the series to audiences who are unfamiliar with the tabletop. Monsterhearts’ high school setting could make a Dungeons & Dragons show easier to watch over the more prototypical settings, as it is in a familiar environment for more people, and the characters are dealing with more familiar problems. The show could blend in elements from high school rom-coms or drama templates, easing audiences into the world and expanding their understanding of the tabletop’s storytelling capabilities.

The show could incorporate aspects of Dungeons & Dragons , such as dungeon crawling and fighting magical opponents, and it would still make sense within Monsterhearts ‘ world.

For audiences who do love the more traditional aspects of the tabletop, a Monsterhearts show could cater to them as well, since the story surrounds teenage monsters. The show could incorporate aspects of Dungeons & Dragons, such as dungeon crawling and fighting magical opponents, and it would still make sense within Monsterhearts’ world due to its open formatting. As a result, a Dungeons & Dragons show could return to the cards for studios with a series that truly highlights the darker sides of high school.