Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts Now Available for Purchase

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Evil Hat Productions has officially released Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts, the first expansion for the award-winning dark fantasy TTRPG. Originally launched on BackerKit in June 2025, the book is now available to the general public and can be picked up at local game stores and the Evil Hat website.

Deep Cuts introduces new factions, character options, story hooks and game mechanics to help flesh out the original Blades in the Dark rules, plus offers new lore and background information on the ghost-haunted city of Doskvol.

So is this latest expansion worth adding to your crew? Below, we take a closer look at what’s inside.

What is Blades in the Dark?

Blades in the Dark is a dark fantasy tabletop RPG published in 2017 by Evil Hat Productions and created by indie designer John Harper. Players take on the role of a crew of criminals in the haunted, Victorian-inspired industrial fantasy city of Doskvol, pulling off daring heists while dealing with rival gangs, corrupt authorities and supernatural powers.

The game is known for its Forged in the Dark system (inspired largely by the Powered by the Apocalypse rules) which emphasizes story over mechanics and uses a dice pool where results determine degrees of success or consequences. It also features a unique flashback mechanic that allows player to retroactively roleplay past scenes in order to change the outcome of a current situation.

What is Blades in the Dark Deep Cuts?

Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts in a 128-page expansion written by John Harper that includes the following:

• 27 new factions, offering new lore, hooks, NPCs and heist opportunities.
• 100+ new heritage and background packages that expand the games character options.
• New “Catalysts”, which are major events that occur in Doskvol that can feed into campaigns.
• 13 new tech items, including a variety of new rare and restricted items with a steampunk vibe.

• New Harm & Trauma rules, that are designed to be easier to use, more flexible and more impactful.
• A new Advancement system, which offers more customization to character progression.
• A new Downtime system, that is completely diceless and lets players manage their crews and characters.
• New Load rules, that more closely links equipment use to the game’s story arc and setting.
• An alternate Action system that’s designed for faster play and more player control.
• New artwork, with the same black and white style as the original Blades in the Dark core book.

How much is Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts?

The hardcover of the book (which comes in a smaller, novel-sized 6″x9″ format) retails for $25 USD. The book is also available in a PDF/eBook format, which retails for $12 USD.

Notably, if you order the physical copy directly from Evil Hat, they’ll throw in the PDF for free.

Why is Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts worth picking up?

• A deeper, darker Doskvol: With 27 new factions and new campaign-shaping Catalysts, Deep Cuts significantly expands the political and supernatural pressure cooker of the game’s setting.
• Expanded character creation and customization: Over 100 new heritage and background packages offer far more ways for players to define their Scoundrels and their pasts.
• Refined systems that improve flow and flexibility: Optional updates to Harm & Trauma, Advancement, Load, Downtime and Actions all feel like natural evolutions that address some of the game’s criticisms.
• A thoughtful evolution of a modern RPG classic: Written by original creator John Harper, Deep Cuts feels less like a natural next step for Blades in the Dark, refining its core ideas while expanding what long-term campaigns can do.

Final thoughts

After years of silently stalking the shadows of the TTRPG hobby, Blades in the Dark has been back in the spotlight in recent days, including the new Blades ’68 BackerKit campaign. Deep Cuts, however, really marks the next big evolution of the award-winning game, proving that after almost a decade after its release, Blades in the Dark is still as sharp as ever.

You can pick up Deep Cuts now from your local game store and the Evil Hat website.