Dungeons and Dragons Tarot

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Tarot is a 78-card officially licensed deck that bears the themes of the popular fantasy tabletop game. Although presented as a deck of tarot cards, which are frequently used as a tool for fortune-telling and storytelling, the deck deviates from traditional tarot by designating the suits as Strength (Wands), Wisdom (Cups), Intelligence (Swords), and Charisma (Coins) from the D&D game.

Above: selection of Dungeons & Dragons tarot which deviates from the traditional suit signs. The 4 of Charisma, which replaces Wands, the Ace of Intelligence which replaces Swords and the Tower.

In many ways this deviation makes the deck more challenging to use for its intended purpose. The lack of clear significance for the Minor Arcana cards hinder its ability to serve a practical tarot deck. The booklet provided to explain the meaning of the cards is poorly formatted and does not clarify the meaning of each card.

Despite it's limitations, the deck's art, created by Fred Gissubel, is visually appealing particularly in its representation of the Major Arcana, which draws from the extensive D&D universe, and will likely appeal to fans of the game.

Branded tarot decks such as D&D Tarot are becoming more popular among younger generations due to their constant exposure to media and desire for personal connections with familiar characters. Brands like Disney and Marvel play a big role in shaping young people's identity. These branded tarot decks allow individuals to explore spirituality on their own terms, whilst also strengthening the brand's position in the market. Read more about how branded tarot decks have been available since the 1970s and continue to grow in popularity →

Ultimately, the D&D Tarot deck may be a visually attractive collectible, it falls short as a functional tarot deck.