Critical Role

[Leafcast]

Any fans of Critical Role out there?

Their brand new 5e D&D campaign just started this past Thursday after finishing a 110+ episode first campaign over the last couple of years.

"Voice actor Matthew Mercer leads a group of fellow voice actors on epic Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. These familiar voices bring the audience into the full experience of D&D, allowing imaginations to soar as the characters embark on adventures. This is Critical Role!"



What are your guys' opinions on the new characters and the first episode!?

[pathora44]

I love the show and am super excited for the new campaign. Some of the cast went for some super interesting choices with their new characters. Sam as a female Goblin rogue with only 5 Charisma, Travis as a Warlock Hexblade. I am all kinds of excited to see where this campaign goes. Matthew Mercer is basically the ultimate DM and I love him for it. All but ready to stick it to the players but more then willing to let the Rule of Cool stand. I love these lovable group of DnD player nerds and that new opening is absolute perfection.

[Arrowstormen]

Watched the first 9 1/2 episodes of the first campaign, but 110 four hour stream episodes is a hard catalog to get through. Will probably watch this one now that I can get in on the ground level, but finding four hours can still be a bit of a challenge.

[Fibh]

This looks like something I would enjoy watching, but I'm already bored. 11 minutes in and they're still talking about sponsors and shoutouts.

[Gallahadd]

I like the IDEA of Critical Role, but the fact that each episode is like 6+hrs can be a little daunting, I prefer the Titansgrave model of 60ish minute episodes. Sadly, Critical Role is WAY more popular, so Titansgrave has been somewhat forgotten.

Tempted to get into this new one though, since it's starting fresh.

[Theoris]

Been meaning to get into Critical Role for a while now; just haven't had the drive to sit through 100+ 3-5 hour long episodes. I suppose their new campaign is as good a time as any to start watching.

By the way, the guy in the pink shirt kinda looks like a young Tim Curry.

[tyrlaan]

I like the IDEA of Critical Role, but the fact that each episode is like 6+hrs can be a little daunting, I prefer the Titansgrave model of 60ish minute episodes. Sadly, Critical Role is WAY more popular, so Titansgrave has been somewhat forgotten.

Tempted to get into this new one though, since it's starting fresh.

Wil Wheaton wasn't really as good as a DM either, tbh. And the only memorable character for me was the one played by Laura Bailey. I'm completely in support shorter episode lengths though.

The thing about watching actual play videos (which is what Critical Role was at least at the beginning - I've watched none of the current episodes) is that it's generally pretty fucking boring to watch other people play an RPG. When you're playing the game, you don't realize how many random boring things you are doing because you're all there interacting and having fun. But watching it? All those moments become glaring snorefests.

[Deleted]

This looks like something I would enjoy watching, but I'm already bored. 11 minutes in and they're still talking about sponsors and shoutouts.

Then skip the first 15 minutes of each episode.

If you check the comments they usually have some timestamps for when the episode actually starts.

- - - Updated - - -

I like the IDEA of Critical Role, but the fact that each episode is like 6+hrs can be a little daunting, I prefer the Titansgrave model of 60ish minute episodes. Sadly, Critical Role is WAY more popular, so Titansgrave has been somewhat forgotten.

Tempted to get into this new one though, since it's starting fresh.

Critical Role episodes are usually 3 hours, they've only approached anywhere near 6 hours a handful of times, and only then at major climaxes to story arcs.

[Deleted]

I mean it's the way the game is played. I never had sessions last below two hours and have had sessions start in the early evening and end late at night. I once had a session last 10 hours (with multiple breaks) and it only really ended because Dagon ate half the party.

Yeah, I can't remember a session i've played in my current campaign that has lasted less than 4 hours.

To have a session only last 60 minutes? I'd be wondering how anything could ever get done.

[bloodwulf]

Huge follower of CR. I have met several of them, most excitedly Laura multiple times. and watched Critical Role Live in Indy. The new campaign is so far off to an interesting start. They went from relatively safe choices in Campaign 1, to risky choices in Campaign 2. Nott the Brave being a Goblin Rogue is interesting in itself, but then to have a highish int half-orc (14) warlock and a Aasimar Barbarian is awesome. Only character i don't like is Marissa's but i think that is because i think she is the weakest player RP wise and it makes it difficult to click with her.

[Deleted]

Huge follower of CR. I have met several of them, most excitedly Laura multiple times. and watched Critical Role Live in Indy. The new campaign is so far off to an interesting start. They went from relatively safe choices in Campaign 1, to risky choices in Campaign 2. Nott the Brave being a Goblin Rogue is interesting in itself, but then to have a highish int half-orc (14) warlock and a Aasimar Barbarian is awesome. Only character i don't like is Marissa's but i think that is because i think she is the weakest player RP wise and it makes it difficult to click with her.

I think we'll see some better RP out of Marisha this campaign, since she seems to have picked a character a lot closer to her own personality instead of Keyleth which she's gone on record saying that her own opinions are usually the opposite of what Keyleth had.

[bloodwulf]

I think we'll see some better RP out of Marisha this campaign, since she seems to have picked a character a lot closer to her own personality instead of Keyleth which she's gone on record saying that her own opinions are usually the opposite of what Keyleth had.

I hope so, Keyleth was super boring, and i felt changed she brought the campaign to a crawl at times. Monk is one of my favorite 5e classes and it appears she is probably going Drunken Master so there is a lot of room for an interesting Marisha finally.

[Leafcast]

This looks like something I would enjoy watching, but I'm already bored. 11 minutes in and they're still talking about sponsors and shoutouts.

If you skip down to the comments you can quickly find someone who has linked tons of time-stamps for key moments during the game. I often use this to skip the intro/recap and to skip the mid-game break.

- - - Updated - - -

Huge follower of CR. I have met several of them, most excitedly Laura multiple times. and watched Critical Role Live in Indy. The new campaign is so far off to an interesting start. They went from relatively safe choices in Campaign 1, to risky choices in Campaign 2. Nott the Brave being a Goblin Rogue is interesting in itself, but then to have a highish int half-orc (14) warlock and a Aasimar Barbarian is awesome. Only character i don't like is Marissa's but i think that is because i think she is the weakest player RP wise and it makes it difficult to click with her.

That is so awesome that you've got to meet some of the cast! There are some super interesting class/race combinations this campaign! I'm really interested to see how the blood hunter class plays.

[bloodwulf]

That is so awesome that you've got to meet some of the cast! There are some super interesting class/race combinations this campaign! I'm really interested to see how the blood hunter class plays.

The first time was the first Gencon they were at. My wife and i had picked up Titansgrave campaign setting and were walking in a hall and Laura walked by, i wanted to get a signature, so i approached her and she was like sure, then her publicist grabbed her arm and said lets get to the G&S booth. So literally got drug through a crowd with her to the booth. My wife and friends behind us. She was super sweet, 100% exactly as she appears. Also she got a kick when we told her that Trunks is my friends favorite DBZ character. He just about started crying when she switched to talking as Kid Trunks.

Met Matt, Laura, Travis and Sam at Gencon last year. They are exactly as you expect them. Matt is almost socially awkward if you get him off a stage. They are all super nice. The rest of the cast was there, but i couldn't pin them down. Liam was humbled by a woman who cosplayed as the Raven Queen. He actually got of the stage and kneeled to her. If you get a chance, id highly suggest going to Gencon in Indianapolis sometime, they are almost all there and they often just explore the floor if they have time.

[Leafcast]

The first time was the first Gencon they were at. My wife and i had picked up Titansgrave campaign setting and were walking in a hall and Laura walked by, i wanted to get a signature, so i approached her and she was like sure, then her publicist grabbed her arm and said lets get to the G&S booth. So literally got drug through a crowd with her to the booth. My wife and friends behind us. She was super sweet, 100% exactly as she appears. Also she got a kick when we told her that Trunks is my friends favorite DBZ character. He just about started crying when she switched to talking as Kid Trunks.

Met Matt, Laura, Travis and Sam at Gencon last year. They are exactly as you expect them. Matt is almost socially awkward if you get him off a stage. They are all super nice. The rest of the cast was there, but i couldn't pin them down. Liam was humbled by a woman who cosplayed as the Raven Queen. He actually got of the stage and kneeled to her. If you get a chance, id highly suggest going to Gencon in Indianapolis sometime, they are almost all there and they often just explore the floor if they have time.

That is incredible! Thanks for sharing!

[tyrlaan]

The first time was the first Gencon they were at. My wife and i had picked up Titansgrave campaign setting and were walking in a hall and Laura walked by, i wanted to get a signature, so i approached her and she was like sure, then her publicist grabbed her arm and said lets get to the G&S booth. So literally got drug through a crowd with her to the booth. My wife and friends behind us. She was super sweet, 100% exactly as she appears. Also she got a kick when we told her that Trunks is my friends favorite DBZ character. He just about started crying when she switched to talking as Kid Trunks.

Met Matt, Laura, Travis and Sam at Gencon last year. They are exactly as you expect them. Matt is almost socially awkward if you get him off a stage. They are all super nice. The rest of the cast was there, but i couldn't pin them down. Liam was humbled by a woman who cosplayed as the Raven Queen. He actually got of the stage and kneeled to her. If you get a chance, id highly suggest going to Gencon in Indianapolis sometime, they are almost all there and they often just explore the floor if they have time.

Very awesome!

[bloodwulf]

That is incredible! Thanks for sharing!

Very awesome!

No problem, I'm a pretty huge vocal supporter of Critical Role. Because of them I have gotten a ton of friends into Tabletop RPGs, either 5e or Starfinder. As a DM i look up to Matt Mercer, and strive to make my campaigns a tenth as epic as his. Also having players learn and watch their content as actually encouraged some of them to want to DM, which has finally given me a chance to play a character.

The best thing about the Critical Role cast is that all of them are approachable. If you are at a convention they are as excited about the content as you are, they are not just their for a paycheck. These are uber nerds (yes even Travis) and they are living a surreal life. Gencon last year there was a young woman who cosplayed as Matt Mercer, not one of his characters, Matt Mercer. To the point the when she came up for a question, the cast jokingly asked her how to beat Vecna. Matt got down and took a picture with her because it was eerily similar. These are real people who have through sheer willpower and luck, gotten the best gig ever, and they know this and have zero arrogance about it. They would not be there without the Critters and they know this.

[tyrlaan]

No problem, I'm a pretty huge vocal supporter of Critical Role. Because of them I have gotten a ton of friends into Tabletop RPGs, either 5e or Starfinder. As a DM i look up to Matt Mercer, and strive to make my campaigns a tenth as epic as his. Also having players learn and watch their content as actually encouraged some of them to want to DM, which has finally given me a chance to play a character.

The best thing about the Critical Role cast is that all of them are approachable. If you are at a convention they are as excited about the content as you are, they are not just their for a paycheck. These are uber nerds (yes even Travis) and they are living a surreal life. Gencon last year there was a young woman who cosplayed as Matt Mercer, not one of his characters, Matt Mercer. To the point the when she came up for a question, the cast jokingly asked her how to beat Vecna. Matt got down and took a picture with her because it was eerily similar. These are real people who have through sheer willpower and luck, gotten the best gig ever, and they know this and have zero arrogance about it. They would not be there without the Critters and they know this.

Bravo for expanding the player base! I moved about 5 years ago and only within the last few months finally managed to get a game together with locally based players (didn't want to do another virtual game).

To be fair, part of my problem may be that I prefer 4e over 5e despite being a DnD player since the pink box (Yup, I'm weird). I'll play in anything, but when I'm running I'm picky.

I've always been a bit flummoxed that roleplaying isn't more of a mainstream thing. Stuff like Critical Role, and a cast of approachable people, is awesome because it helps get closer to that.

[bloodwulf]

Bravo for expanding the player base! I moved about 5 years ago and only within the last few months finally managed to get a game together with locally based players (didn't want to do another virtual game).

To be fair, part of my problem may be that I prefer 4e over 5e despite being a DnD player since the pink box (Yup, I'm weird). I'll play in anything, but when I'm running I'm picky.

I've always been a bit flummoxed that roleplaying isn't more of a mainstream thing. Stuff like Critical Role, and a cast of approachable people, is awesome because it helps get closer to that.

WHAT? I think you are the first person i have seen that prefers 4e over anything.

[tyrlaan]

WHAT? I think you are the first person i have seen that prefers 4e over anything.

Yeah, I'm an aberration. Makes it tough when everyone is playing 5e or Pathfinder.

I just fell in love with how it works from the DM seat compared to the prep work you needed to do as a DM in 3e. I dunno, it just clicks for me. 5e does things I found I didn't miss once they were gone in 4e, so it just doesn't scratch the same itch for me anymore. I suspect if 4e never happened and we went from 3e to 5e, I would love 5e, if that makes any sense at all.

But from the player seat I care very little about system as long as the RP is good!

And... I'm probably a bit too off topic now