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There is a wide variety of different ancestries you can play inDaggerheart, the TTRPG created by Critical Role. One of these ancestries is called clanks, which essentially function like sentient automatons that wander the world. Clanks are unique in that they love to modify their physical forms, and can resemble humanoids or animals.
But if you’re diving into Daggerheart for the first time, you might be wondering how clanks work and how best to build one. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide. Here’s everything you need to know about the clank ancestry in Daggerheart and how best to play one.
Clank Ancestry Overview
While clanks are technically Daggerheart’s version of robots, theycan be made out of metal, wood, or stone.
They come inmany different sizesand canalter their physical forms through body modifications.Here’s an overview of their features.
Details
Purposeful Design
When you create a clank, you mustdedicate an NPC or ally who created you, and decide for what purpose you were made.
This means, at character creation, you willchoose one of your starting two Experiencesthat best aligns with your intended purpose andgain a +1 bonusto it.
Efficient
Whenever you take a short rest, you canchoose a long rest move instead of one short rest move.
Clank Lifespan
Because clanks can simply replace worn-down body parts,they are, in essence, immortal.
However,a clank’s mind does deteriorateas the magic that powers them loses its impact.
When it comes to designing a clank,work with your DM to create interesting body mechanics, like having a mechanical buzzsaw for an arm, for example.
What Are The Best Classes For Clanks?
Similar to Dungeons & Dragons, the ancestries in Daggerheart largelyhave a minor impact on your overall class build.
However, with that being said,some classes have features that can synergize wellwith your ancestry selection.
Feature Synergy Details
School of Knowledge Wizard
School of Knowledge wizards have a foundation feature known as Adept that allows you tomark Stress instead of Hopewhenutilizing an Experience, subsequentlydoubling the Experience modifier.
Becauseclanks have a +1 to an early Experience, this feature synergizes well with clanks, as early on,you could be rolling +6 with certain Experiences.
Warden of the Elements Druid
Warden of the Elements druids have access to a feature known as Elemental Aura, whichemboldens them and their allies with various abilities.
Because clanks have bonuses to their short rests, andthis feature works on a short or long rest, the clank ancestry allows players togain a ton of extra bonuses on short rests.
Many other Domain Cards, abilities, and class features can provide bonuses for short rests.
For clanks, any ability that augments the effects of a short rest will help, thanks to clanks' ability to use long rest moves during short rests.
What Are The Best Communities For Clanks?
When you select a community in Daggerheart, yougain access to a community feature that can augment certain abilities.
While many communities work well with clanks, there aretwo communities whose features can synergize wellwith a clank’s bonuses to their Experience.
Feature Details
Seaborne
When you roll with Fear, you canplace a token on your community card.
Subsequently, you canspend any number of these tokens(maximum of your level) togain a +1 bonus to your rollfor each token.
This means that youcan still gain modifiers to your rolls even when you’re not earning Hopeto use your Experiences.
Orderborne
You have three sayings or valuesthat you can live up to, and, when you do, you can roll a d20 as your Hope Die.
Clanks haveearly bonuses for their Experience modifiers.
With this feature, you cangain Hope more easily, as your d20 is more likely to roll higher than your Fear,meaning you’re able to use Hope more frequently to add your Experienceto your action roll.
In terms of roleplay, talk to your DM abouthow to use clank’s attachments to flesh out your character concept.
For example, a clank bard might have their instrument of choice attached to their body.
