Critical Role Do you Critical Role?

[robus]

Actors at least know how and why to go after what they want in a scene and always have an objective to strive for. Which in turns actually pushes the story forward and makes the drama compelling. Most of these other streams have just regular people listen to a DM narrate what's going on for 2 minutes and then respond with stuff like "I open the door." Not exactly the most interesting thing to listen to in the world.

I think this is key and probably why the game feels so "unrealistic" to many D&D regulars. Certainly in my game my players rarely talk to each other in character about their characters, there's literally no curiosity about the characters themselves, it's just onward with the adventure. Now some of that is because two of the players have pre-gen characters from the starter set (so little investment in the chars themselves), but still their lack of interest in developing their characters has been an interesting contrast to what happens on Critical Role. Basically I feel like I have to do most of the "creating" in the game (which is normal I know) but thanks to the creative contribution from the Critical Role players Matt gets a lot of hooks for him to develop so it ends up being a very virtuous cycle. He gives them hooks for immediate adventures and they in turn give him hooks for future developments. It's very cool to see.

 

[Umbran]

I watched an episode.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Sadras]

I only enjoy things that are unpopular.

Then what are you doing on Enworld?

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[robus]

I only enjoy things that are unpopular.

If that was true you'd only play gnome paladins!

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Shawn Stroud]

I normally listen to the podcast as I drive to work. My drive is about 45 minutes, so I generally get the whole thing in as I drive over the week.

 

[SkidAce]

I was enjoying youtube/podcast Live Play before it was cool. "Shakes cane at yard"

But seriously, even though I listened and enjoyed many podcasts, I never had the time to WATCH them. I listened while I ran 4 or 5 miles, or while I cut the grass, or while I drove long distances.

So it was never matter of "I cant find the time" or "I would rather be actually playing", because I couldn't play at those times anyway. I do listen to less rock music than before, but now that plays in the background at home.

That out of the way, in MOST cases, its fun to hear other people play, and see them either come up with fresh viewpoints, or to chuckle at the same tropes and humorous styled incidents I have seen in my groups since the 80s.

Icosohedrophillia: https://podfanatic.com/podcast/icosahedrophilia (ended in 2014, seven year run?)

Pretend Wizards (ball bearings!)

D&D Penny Arcade (2008/9)

Robot Chicken (2010)

And there was one I cant find (I usually save them to disk) that had a creepy sanitoriuim/prison and a ghost with a harp...Fantastic atmosphere, very well done. I will edit if I remember.

Edit: Beer and Battle, Pathfinder episodes, well done, very creepy.

 

[Henry]

I think this is key and probably why the game feels so "unrealistic" to many D&D regulars. Certainly in my game my players rarely talk to each other in character about their characters, there's literally no curiosity about the characters themselves, it's just onward with the adventure.

I’m fortunate in that the groups I’ve hooked up with over the years have made in-character discussion and debate part of the table dynamic; a few years ago we had an absolute blast with the Paizo Hell’s Rebels AP, even to the point of having fairly involved discussions in-character about beliefs, political theory, and religious freedom! We had plenty of butt-kicking too, but the in-character conflicts really brought the whole scenario to life in a way that “just playing freedom fighters” would not have.

I guess for this reason I’m glad to see so much RP in Critical Role to be representative of they different ways to play. However, at the same time, it’s hard to get people to understand sometimes that they’re not going to be “CR”-caliber role players the minute they sit at the table; Matt seems to frequently have to remind people of this.