Critical Role To Critical Role or not...That is the question

[Seramus]

It's a pretty delicious slice of pie, but far from the whole pie. It reminds me a little of Star Trek: the Next Generation. I have no doubt some other Trek show would have come along and done a good job, and there have been several good Trek shows (including movies). But TNG struck gold with great chemistry among the cast and now it's a memorable part of the Trek legacy. Similarly, CR has become a flagship D&D show that will be remembered fondly for years to come, and I'm sure it did bring lots of new people to the game, but the brand would keep on chugging and some other group would have become the Flagship D&D show.

But, unlike the Shatner / Nimoy grudge, the folks at Critical Role seem to be really upstanding and decent people on the whole. I'm genuinely happy for their success.

 

[LoganRan]

NOT

 

[Morrus]

I hate CR. I think it is garbage, boring, and not representative of most D&D games IME; and Vox Machina is a travesty in representing D&D. I have no clue why people would watch others play D&D when they could play themselves.

INSHO if you have time to watch CR, you have time to play D&D instead. Yeah, I know, people are busy, they can't find players, etc. Crap IMO. You think it is hard to find and organize a game now? Try it in the 80's before gaming, video games, anime, comics, and such things were NOT mainstream in any way, shape, or form. To be clear I am not saying finding a game or group is easy, but you can do it if you really want to IME.

You sound nice.

 

[DND_Reborn]

You sound nice.

Thanks, I am!

EDIT: And FYI, not cool. You're a staff member/moderator... so snarky comment? Not cool.

 

[BookTenTiger]

INSHO if you have time to watch CR, you have time to play D&D instead. Yeah, I know, people are busy, they can't find players, etc. Crap IMO. You think it is hard to find and organize a game now? Try it in the 80's before gaming, video games, anime, comics, and such things were NOT mainstream in any way, shape, or form. To be clear I am not saying finding a game or group is easy, but you can do it if you really want to IME.

All that being said, not just CR but online videos of gameplay, advice, etc. have ALL contributed greatly to the popularity of D&D and increased its general acceptance. Now when I tell people I play D&D, instead of getting a strange look or cringe, I get an "Oh, I've heard of that. That's cool" more often than not. Many people still aren't really interested in trying it, but at least few people treat my like I have leprosy when I tell them I play D&D.

This is why I never finished watching the Sopranos. If you have time to watch all 6 seasons, then you have time to join organized crime!

Anyways, now I'm in Witness Protection.

 

[BookTenTiger]

I seem to be in the majority here. I'm not personally a fan of CR (or any other D&D stream or podcast), but I understand why other people enjoy it. I think it's brought folks to D&D, but it is one of many factors.

I will say that I think D&D is better with CR than without it. I think a lot of the talk of the "Mercer Effect" and all that is hyperbole. As far as I can tell, the show is mostly folks sitting around having fun playing D&D, and that's the best representation there could be.

 

[Lyxen]

While I certainly don't have time to watch the show, only saw a small part of the first season, what I'm really happy with is the fact that they play it in the same spirit that we have been playing it for decades with friends. Lots of roleplay, lots of fun interactions between PCs and with NPCs, a few interesting fights now and then, some exploration and, last but not least, epic campaigns spanning all levels of the game. And all of that with some rule support but not a focus on them.

I think it's good that some people prefer let's call them "more specialised" styles, with things Combat as sport, optimisation, low level only, more realistic games, etc. if it's what they like, the CR style of play reflects out preferred style and shows that the game can indeed be played that way, with friends, having epic adventures without all the criticism that exists on forums as soon as you mention something that you like...

 

[jmartkdr2]

The only downside to CR I've had to deal with is the number of fully-played out shopping scenes every time you want to buy something. Not every shopkeeper needs to be quirky.

 

[not-so-newguy]

I like that Critical Role exists. I like that it's popular and generates interest. I'm pretty sure there are several players in my group that have watched some episodes before they ever played a ttrpg. buuuuuut...

I don't like the show. Nothing against Critical Role. It's rare that I find "actual play" entertainment very entertaining.

 

[FangTheDelectable]

The number of poll options really offend my sense of order in the world.

As for CR, you have to be in a special time in your life to dedicate 3 years to watching their shows.

I would watch it if they edited it down to 5% of the run time.

I think its unfortunate that CR brought a lot of toxic people to DnD, if you follow the dramas that evolved in their fandom.