Critical Role Critical Role Campaign 4 Episode 4 is a High-Octane Rollercoaster

[OB1]

Despite hating D&D combat, it looks like the soldiers table will be the place to be. The players, characters, and the dynamics are the least distracting.

Not sure that they did this intentionally, but this campaign is going to give them some amazing data, almost as if they were A/B testing. On the Reddits, there are constant debates over whether the audience for CR is there for the combat which is reliant on the D&D engine, the S class worldbuilding reliant on the DM or the characters reliant on the acting/improve of the cast.

C4 may really answer some of those questions based on viewship/completion numbers around the episodes. And honestly, the way the groups broke out, if you gravitate towards one of those three pillars, you probably have the cast you'd want.

Sam, for example, is a master at D&D combat, and his quick wit also helps enliven long encounters.

 

[Maxperson]

I've mentioned elsewhere about disliking that approach myself. I'm not interested in an internal monologue; if your character is angry, for example, describe to me how they clench their fists, face flushed, and shout at the top their lungs in barely controlled rage. Show, don't tell.

This is what I meant - those mannerisms come out with the other characters he's played, which make them seem like Luis' to me. So I find Luis himself kinda endearing. I don't know if you've seen it, or are even interested in V:TM, but based on what you've said here, you might enjoy how he interacts with Aabria in Private Nightmares.

I very rarely do the internal monologue thing. When I do it, it's because what is going on inside my head is very different than what I am showing and saying outside of it.

DM: The Nighthawk envoy says that you won't need to worry as you go through the hills. They've spoken to any bandits there and you will be safe.

Me: I think to myself that this guy is a liar and wants to lull us off guard to an ambush... I turn to the envoy and say, thanks for the heads up. It will be a relief to my companions to hear that it will be a dull trip.

 

[Maxperson]

I like the critics on taliesin Jaffa.

-the jokester and they are into it but they are the ones who name their character bob nuts

Please! It's Dee Z. Nuts or bust.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It's Dee Z. Nuts or bust.

No busting, please. This is a family site.

 

[overgeeked]

Not sure that they did this intentionally, but this campaign is going to give them some amazing data, almost as if they were A/B testing. On the Reddits, there are constant debates over whether the audience for CR is there for the combat which is reliant on the D&D engine, the S class worldbuilding reliant on the DM or the characters reliant on the acting/improve of the cast.

C4 may really answer some of those questions based on viewship/completion numbers around the episodes. And honestly, the way the groups broke out, if you gravitate towards one of those three pillars, you probably have the cast you'd want.

Sam, for example, is a master at D&D combat, and his quick wit also helps enliven long encounters.

Maybe. The version of that argument I've seen more often is whether viewers are there for the cast or the game system. I'm there for the cast. I'm one of those outliers who prefers the whole main cast together at the same table. But there's something compelling enough about Brennan's style that's kept me interested. We'll see how long that lasts.