The Talks Machina episode for CR 102 Matt explains that
Vecna is super intelligent and has been watching Vox Machina for a long time. So he was specifically trying to take down the most dangerous players first. And the encounter is the start of the final story arc. Similar to the start of the Chroma Conclave arc. So the fight was meant to be too much for them. But unlike the CC arc, events are on a schedule and things will happen even if VM is not around to stop it.
Lots and lots of spoilers for CR 100-102!
Foresight on Vax was a bad idea. (I want to make clear it was great roleplaying though) Vax only needs another member of Vox Machina to be next to an opponent to gain sneak attack. Beyond the sneak attack damage his other attacks don't really do much. So with three attacks, one of them is bound to hit and the ones that don't aren't going to do much. I am not even sure if Vax having foresight would have helped him in any way should he have been able to move.
To be fair, they didn't know early on that they were going to be actively fighting Vecna. However, Keyleth having the ability to also turn into a beholder would have been beneficial. There is some debate on whether or not Matt was Fair to Scanlan the Beholder. While Sam didn't specifically say certain things, I think it should have been more of a given that the antimagic cone was active and he was going to face Vecna. Had Sam actually said that and had Keyleth the Beholder been present, the encounter would have really changed.
Given that Matt didn't let the earthquake spells penalize the guys on top in any way (whether losing a spell slot to have kept that portion from falling or taking damage from the fall, etc.) Flying up to the tower would have been a far better option than bringing the tower down. They had a flying carpet. Keyleth the Beholder and Scanlan the Beholder could have come up from opposite ends. Having access to the high level earthquake slots would have been very helpful.
I really do think it was possible to have really given Vecna a hurt. Vecna was also apparently almost out of spells and once he ran out of spells, Vox Machnia could eat him alive.
What I didn't like is Matt pointing out that they had two mostly unhurt badguys left, which signaled "Hey you guys can't win you should retreat" and so they retreated. It was just too close to the same time Vecna was about out of spells.
Even with their poor planning I think Vox Machina stood a good chance, despite Matt's plans.
I don't think these count as spoliers. Vax is #2 in total damage and #3 in average damage for the regular group. Total damage order is Grog, Vax, Vex, Percy, and Keyleth. Vax is also number 3 for least damage taken behind Pike and Tary.
And, being a Vengence Paladin he gets Vow of Enmity which gives him advantage vs one target for one minute.
For me it's really about the roleplay skills of all the players. I struggle to watch other groups who live stream like I watch Critical Role.
Also, some people just aren't into it very much. I introduced my Sunday group to the show. We have 2 couple in the group. One couple loves it, and the girl has watched up to the middle of the second major story arc 3 times. The other couple watched a few episodes and liked it but not enough for the time investment.
I think it is important to realize that Vax's damage potential is specifically increased because of an item Matt gave him, and his least damage is based primarily on magical items Matt gave him, that aren't typical for a D&D game.
Basically don't run off playing a Rogue because of how awesome Vax is.
I think it is important to realize that Vax's damage potential is specifically increased because of an item Matt gave him, and his least damage is based primarily on magical items Matt gave him, that aren't typical for a D&D game.
Basically don't run off playing a Rogue because of how awesome Vax is.
Oh, yeah. Definitely. While a rogue has good damage potential, it's harder to be consistent with most archetypes. Until you start adding magic items. I was disappointed in the amount of magic items available to players in Princes of the Apocalypse when i picked it up to run for my kids. But Critical Role provided some good insight on how magic items can skew the power scale by overcoming class limitations.
So I'm almost done with chapter 1 and so far I really don't like Tiberius or his player. It seems he tries to do a lot during his turn, and goes off on his own to do what ever he wants. maybe he gets better in chapter 2 and later on.
Considering that it happened 2 years ago, I am not sure it is really warranted, then again, I don't know what the acceptable time frame is for discussing something that happened in a show or movie these days.
I don't really care for him either. I'm not sure of the exact reason why, but he ends up leaving the group around episode 30ish.
I liked the character, I didn't like all of his meta gaming. The Critical Role Highlights channel on Youtube has a video of Orion talking about why he left. They posted it at the beginning of June this year.
Anyone watching the whole show from the beginning at this point is really impressive. But, two years and 280 hours of video is a long time to have the expectation of going spoiler free.
I don't really care for him either. I'm not sure of the exact reason why, but he ends up leaving the group around episode 30ish.
I liked the character, I didn't like all of his meta gaming. The Critical Role Highlights channel on Youtube has a video of Orion talking about why he left. They posted it at the beginning of June this year.
Anyone watching the whole show from the beginning at this point is really impressive. But, two years and 280 hours of video is a long time to have the expectation of going spoiler free.
I'm happy and frustrated that my husband also became addicted to watching critical role..glad to share in the fun, but sad cause I can't binge/watch without him...must some how attain patience!
It is really hard to start from the beginning but I am trying. Long before I knew that I would love DnD again, I was encouraged to watch Force Grey. I came across Critical Role after doing a simple investigation check...admittedly I watched some of the more recent episodes because who is crazy enough to try and binge watch 100- 4 hour long shows? Well I thought I would give it a shot now..****y on episode 7, lol. I am writing this as the players are taking a break...
If anyone finds this fun, I just completed the 10th episode and wish I had been able to join the chat room back then. The number of times they miss opportunities like the guiding bolt is tremendous. I know meta players are not liked and I am no expert but I wonder if the Pathfinder Guiding bolt spell, if it exists, is different from 5e. After Pike casts it, no one ever gets the advantage. So far in the first 10 episodes she has cast it several times...with no one getting the advantage from being the next attack. But anyway, at first I thought most of you were crazy for watching every episode but now I understand...worth it just to wait for a Scanlan inspiration song, a Grog Rage, or any time they role-play their characters well. At my rate I will be caught up to current episodes in 2 years...since I can only watch 2 a week at best, with their one a week it prevents speedy progress, a bit. I should be able to be up to episode 100 by next summer. Lol. (I am not worried about spoilers as I admit I watched their last Battle Royal before I knew I would want to watch the whole series. I do wish I did not know who one the Battle Royal before the last one...but I do.) Anyway. Great stuff. This show is a great example of why network tv: NBC, CBS and ABC here in the states will die a slow death...at the hands of Vox Machina
I was wondering, as I know that DM/Homebrew rules apply for Mercer, about some things. Druid shape change for one. Keyleth seems to not follow the general rules for her abilities. Just curious if later she attains a magic item that allows for her enhanced ability. Rules state at 8th level a Druid can shape change into a CR1 or lower...the fact that I know she has changed into much more powerful creatures makes me wonder what I missed...no complaint, love what they do, just curious. I do not want to use a spoiler for some but I know of at least one CR lvl 17 creature she became...I am assuming they decided her lvl should determine the CR lvl she can turn into...
I do believe Keyleth is a Circle of the Moon Druid, which at level six, lets them turn into a beasts with a CR equal to their level divided by three (rounded down). They also have other shapeshifting abilities as they level up.
As for the CR 17 thing, I'm not one hundred percent certain about which form you're talking about. More recently, she's reached a level where she could cast the Shapechange spell, which allows forms of equal CR to the level of the caster.
well not in a row ,it's over the past week
Vax is #2 in total damage and #3 in average damage for the regular group. Total damage order is Grog, Vax, Vex, Percy, and Keyleth. Vax is also number 3 for least damage taken behind Pike and Tary.
And, being a Vengence Paladin he gets Vow of Enmity which gives him advantage vs one target for one minute.
I think it is important to realize that Vax's damage potential is specifically increased because of an item Matt gave him, and his least damage is based primarily on magical items Matt gave him, that aren't typical for a D&D game.
Basically don't run off playing a Rogue because of how awesome Vax is.
Ok, who is the DM that is gonna do the first online game set in Taldorei now that the PDFs are coming out?
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
So I'm almost done with chapter 1 and so far I really don't like Tiberius or his player. It seems he tries to do a lot during his turn, and goes off on his own to do what ever he wants. maybe he gets better in chapter 2 and later on.
I don't really care for him either. I'm not sure of the exact reason why, but he ends up leaving the group around episode 30ish.
I don't run from evil. Evil runs from me.
-Vimul "Fiend-fisher" Thulinaga, Goliath Bloodhunter, Order of the Lycan
Maybe put a spoiler warning in there
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Considering that it happened 2 years ago, I am not sure it is really warranted, then again, I don't know what the acceptable time frame is for discussing something that happened in a show or movie these days.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
It's about the first ten minutes of the video.
I'm happy and frustrated that my husband also became addicted to watching critical role..glad to share in the fun, but sad cause I can't binge/watch without him...must some how attain patience!
It is really hard to start from the beginning but I am trying. Long before I knew that I would love DnD again, I was encouraged to watch Force Grey. I came across Critical Role after doing a simple investigation check...admittedly I watched some of the more recent episodes because who is crazy enough to try and binge watch 100- 4 hour long shows? Well I thought I would give it a shot now..****y on episode 7, lol. I am writing this as the players are taking a break...
I'm not crazy. I swear. I swear I'm not crazy. I am not. I promise.
If anyone finds this fun, I just completed the 10th episode and wish I had been able to join the chat room back then. The number of times they miss opportunities like the guiding bolt is tremendous. I know meta players are not liked and I am no expert but I wonder if the Pathfinder Guiding bolt spell, if it exists, is different from 5e. After Pike casts it, no one ever gets the advantage. So far in the first 10 episodes she has cast it several times...with no one getting the advantage from being the next attack. But anyway, at first I thought most of you were crazy for watching every episode but now I understand...worth it just to wait for a Scanlan inspiration song, a Grog Rage, or any time they role-play their characters well. At my rate I will be caught up to current episodes in 2 years...since I can only watch 2 a week at best, with their one a week it prevents speedy progress, a bit. I should be able to be up to episode 100 by next summer. Lol. (I am not worried about spoilers as I admit I watched their last Battle Royal before I knew I would want to watch the whole series. I do wish I did not know who one the Battle Royal before the last one...but I do.) Anyway. Great stuff. This show is a great example of why network tv: NBC, CBS and ABC here in the states will die a slow death...at the hands of Vox Machina
So I finished Chapter 2 that was shockingly only 7 episodes with a huge 4 part episode in the middle.
High points Keyleth and Vax' playing husband and wife , Victor and Grog the groin slayer.
Low points I still really hate Tiberius, Vax knocking out a fan, and sending him off, and RIP Magic Carpet.
going to start chapter 3 in a few days
I was wondering, as I know that DM/Homebrew rules apply for Mercer, about some things. Druid shape change for one. Keyleth seems to not follow the general rules for her abilities. Just curious if later she attains a magic item that allows for her enhanced ability. Rules state at 8th level a Druid can shape change into a CR1 or lower...the fact that I know she has changed into much more powerful creatures makes me wonder what I missed...no complaint, love what they do, just curious. I do not want to use a spoiler for some but I know of at least one CR lvl 17 creature she became...I am assuming they decided her lvl should determine the CR lvl she can turn into...
I do believe Keyleth is a Circle of the Moon Druid, which at level six, lets them turn into a beasts with a CR equal to their level divided by three (rounded down). They also have other shapeshifting abilities as they level up.
As for the CR 17 thing, I'm not one hundred percent certain about which form you're talking about. More recently, she's reached a level where she could cast the Shapechange spell, which allows forms of equal CR to the level of the caster.
I do not recall her casting that spell, thought she just shape changed, but you must be right. Powerful spell!