The Cast will also be doing Signings at WonderCon. They've also mentioned that there *may* be pop-up appearances/party at some location(s). Alpha members will be getting emails about extras those members get at Wonder Con...including wanting a RSVP to the Alpha After-party. Unfortunately, I can't attend.
For those who get almost caught up on the episodes, there are great fan-created animations of certain episode snippets on YouTube. Just be warned...if you are not careful, you may see spoilers there!
And the Artwork for the show by fans...I mean, much of it should be hanging in art galleries! -)
TQQdles™
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Order of the Bug Hunters Apple ][+ MOSTech 6502 1.0 MHz • 64k Ram • Hercules 8k EGA video card • 300baud USR modem • 2 x 340k 5¼" floppy drives • Software Emulated Sound • Apple DOS 3.3 • Sony 13" TV monitor • Integrated Keyboard • No Mouse
I love the animated adventures of CR! It's hard to pick a favorite. In a perfect world, we could just get every episode animated in it's entirety and put it up with a R rating [Language/Violence].
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"Anything is possible if you don't know what you're talking about." - My Granddad
To everyone working on DDB - you folks are AWESOME! Thank you for letting us all into your beta! To the community - thank you for being the friendliest I've ever experienced in a forum!
The more I watch the more Matt's Dm style irritates me. Mostly it's just penalizing the players for pointing out he is wrong, and him in fact being wrong. Sometimes it appears he isn't paying attention to what the players decide to do.
Like there are many times the PCs tell him they are going to do one thing and he narrates it to the PCs going the wrong way and then they have to correct him.
I feel like a lot of this is easier to spot since I've been bindge watching it.
I've noticed things he's done wrong, but maybe he's house ruled things? (Critical results being the biggest change I've noticed... 2dX vs 1dX x 2)
To be fair there are more than your average game going on here. He's on LIVE 'TV' which I'm sure is stressful. They are sitting across the room from each other, although it's like maybe a 2 ft gap, it's still farther than at the same table. If they're all talking at the same time (which to be honest they do frequently) it probably hard to keep track of what's going WHILE maintaining the field. He's maintaining music playlist (not terribily difficult, but does add an element of complexity). Also, remember that he is getting heckled all the time, and I'm sure viewers are tweeting him AS he makes a mistake, which probably has him second guess stuff. It's still a GREAT story, and the randomness of events is very well handled I think maybe cut him a little slack? You're binge watching because you enjoy it, try to not let being him human bring it down. Matt Mercer is great.
Critical hits was houseruled to save time. Ironically it's the one rule all the players know and they keep wanting to roll double dice meaning Matt has to constantly explain his change (which can be confusing) which takes more time then rolling double dice would.
There is a difference between them discussing something and them telling Matt that they want to do that thing as well. There are a ton of times where they say "we should do this" but never actually tell Matt that they are going to do it. In those scenarios he holds it that the action was not done.
This encourages actual strategic thinking and planning; if he let happen everything that they discuss then there wouldn't really be a need for strategy, since whatever they want to happen, ends up happening.
He's not being a jerk, he's just being a DM. If you aren't strict/if you don't have table rules then the PC's will go crazy.
EDIT: That being said, he's also wrong sometimes. In a non-streaming game they could've gone back but in something like CR that is essentially a tv show, going back and forth would make it difficult and unwieldy. So what he says, goes. Sometimes he's wrong, but it's better than spending 30 minutes clarifying something that already happened.
There is a difference between them discussing something and them telling Matt that they want to do that thing as well. There are a ton of times where they say "we should do this" but never actually tell Matt that they are going to do it. In those scenarios he holds it that the action was not done.
This encourages actual strategic thinking and planning; if he let happen everything that they discuss then there wouldn't really be a need for strategy, since whatever they want to happen, ends up happening.
He's not being a jerk, he's just being a DM. If you aren't strict/if you don't have table rules then the PC's will go crazy.
EDIT: That being said, he's also wrong sometimes. In a non-streaming game they could've gone back but in something like CR that is essentially a tv show, going back and forth would make it difficult and unwieldy. So what he says, goes. Sometimes he's wrong, but it's better than spending 30 minutes clarifying something that already happened.
Spoiler for the Slayers Take Episodes
Specifically in part one the team says that the other team has the magic carpet. Team A proceeds to never use the magic carpet and I believe even comment on the fact they wished they had it. Fast forward to Team B and Matt makes them roll to see if they have the carpet because it is always in the bag of holding that Grog carries. Then later in the adventure the players come across an acid pit that has magical glyphs that results in the carpet being destroyed. Given Matt seems like the person who would retaliate against his players (he hints at it so much), it seems possible that Matt destroyed the Magic Carpet for them trying to have the carpet.
The problem is that the team A had specifically said that the other team had the magic carpet and didn't use it because the other team had it. Then Matt tried to claim the other team didn't have it.
In another instance Matt gets mad at Keyleth for not having the statistics for her conjure woodland beings spell. Another player even felt the need to defend Marisha by pointing out that the spell specifically states that the DM has the stats. If we ignore that Matt & Marisha are engaged, he really shouldn't assume that his player has access to the Monster Manual, as she wouldn't if she couldn't look at his copy. Yeah you could expect her to ask for it to get the stats before the game or when she prepared it. But getting mad at her for not doing so, is a bit much.
In the instance I'm referring to, the Party said they were going to one location. I can't remember if going back to the keep was mentioned while planning or not. (If it was, this was the complete opposite of what you said, as Matt took something they mentioned in planning and made it what they were actually doing). At any point the party said we are going to one location, Matt then said they were going back to the keep. It really did come off as Matt not wanting them at the other location.
It is okay for Matt to be wrong. It isn't oaky for him to be wrong and get mad at the players and take it out on them (especially when they were actually right).
I think you're entirely reading too much into that.
Matt forgot that Team A said that Team B had the carpet, and nobody in Team B corrected him because none of them knew that they had said that Team B has the carpet. The acid trap may have been for taking out the carpet, but I really don't think it was as a commuppance for them having the temerity to suggest that they may have it. You're the first person I've seen who has suggested that may be the case. Usually I see them saying it was his way to destroy the carpet if they weren't careful because magic carpets are annoying to prepare for and can foil many a trap.
It's also entirely possible that he designed the acid trap with the glyph to cast an anti-magic zone because he knew that something that they can get around just by flying is a trivial barrier, and the Rakshasa would know that as well.
Matt has never struck me as the type to 'punish' players - he lets them get away with a ton, for example. I also don't remember the other instance you're referring to, the 'going to one location or another' one.
(also, 'getting mad at' Marisha because she didn't know any Woodland Beast statistics isn't anywhere near what I'd call an accurate gauge of his emotions; 'frustrated' would be much closer, and still possibly too strong)
I think you're entirely reading too much into that.
Matt forgot that Team A said that Team B had the carpet, and nobody in Team B corrected him because none of them knew that they had said that Team B has the carpet. The acid trap may have been for taking out the carpet, but I really don't think it was as a commuppance for them having the temerity to suggest that they may have it. You're the first person I've seen who has suggested that may be the case. Usually I see them saying it was his way to destroy the carpet if they weren't careful because magic carpets are annoying to prepare for and can foil many a trap.
It's also entirely possible that he designed the acid trap with the glyph to cast an anti-magic zone because he knew that something that they can get around just by flying is a trivial barrier, and the Rakshasa would know that as well.
Matt has never struck me as the type to 'punish' players - he lets them get away with a ton, for example. I also don't remember the other instance you're referring to, the 'going to one location or another' one.
(also, 'getting mad at' Marisha because she didn't know any Woodland Beast statistics isn't anywhere near what I'd call an accurate gauge of his emotions; 'frustrated' would be much closer, and still possibly too strong)
Based on the fact Matt didn't want them to have the carpet in the first place it seems very unlikely it was there to destroy the carpet should they have not been careful. In watching the first Slayers Take episode, I was under the impression when they said "we gave the carpet to the other team" that clearly they had communicated with the other team that the carpet had been transferred, especially since team B all assumed they had the carpet which has been established to have been in Grog's bag of holding as he was part of the first team. It is also likely members of team B were present watching team A play as Laura and therefore probably William were present to watch Team B play. I got the impression they didn't want to fight with Matt about it and dropped it.
Technically the Rockshasa would need to get over the lake as well. Barring the possibility that there was an alternate way that the PCs simply didn't find, the entire acid room is a bit unbelievable as the Rockshasa would have had to traverse it as well, somehow activate a magical glyph to prevent magic without using magic. I'd consider the whole thing very videogameish where you have something in a dungeon that simply doesn't make sense to be there.
So I might be reading too much into it, its just that is how it struck me.
Its the way he acts when they try to challenge him on anything (even the stuff they are right about) and how they usually back off. It also has to do with his comments he makes asking if they really want to challenge him.
I admit he lets them get away with a ton of stuff that he probably shouldn't.
I think the idea of him saying "do you really want to challenge the DM?" is more of a stereotype joke that he's using as showmanship kinda. They are making a TV show... for our entertainment. Maybe some of these disagreements are staged? Probably not, but they are all very aware they are on LIVE footage and I'm sure sometimes they say and do things to make a spectacle for us.
They have said a couple of time that they will start a new game with low level characters (I think Matt recently said he was thinking 2nd level) and switch things up a bit by playing completely different roles than what they are playing now.
Matt has often stated in Q&A sessions (after the early episodes and at conventions) that he is DM-ing an interactive story. He has stated that if he changes a rule or allows a player a bit of slack to advance the story, he doesn't want to hear how he 'broke the rules' from all the rule trolls. And yet, this still happens in the Twitch/Alpha chat while the game is being played AND here in these forums.
I started playing D&D with the White Box / AD&D era...where the idea was that the books served as resources to create your own rules. Once 2.0 and newer versions appeared, the rise of the Rule Nazis started appearing (You're NOT playing D&D if you don't do EXACTLY as the rules state!!!>.<) I would much rather play a game ran by a Matt-type of GM than one that sees their role as DM vs. Player.
TQQdles™
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Order of the Bug Hunters Apple ][+ MOSTech 6502 1.0 MHz • 64k Ram • Hercules 8k EGA video card • 300baud USR modem • 2 x 340k 5¼" floppy drives • Software Emulated Sound • Apple DOS 3.3 • Sony 13" TV monitor • Integrated Keyboard • No Mouse
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Critical Role has a survey for Critters to fill out...under the Spoilers tag here
http://geekandsundry.com/critical-role-wants-to-hear-from-you/
The Cast will also be doing Signings at WonderCon. They've also mentioned that there *may* be pop-up appearances/party at some location(s). Alpha members will be getting emails about extras those members get at Wonder Con...including wanting a RSVP to the Alpha After-party. Unfortunately, I can't attend.
For those who get almost caught up on the episodes, there are great fan-created animations of certain episode snippets on YouTube. Just be warned...if you are not careful, you may see spoilers there!
And the Artwork for the show by fans...I mean, much of it should be hanging in art galleries! -)
TQQdles™
Order of the Bug Hunters
Apple ][+ MOSTech 6502 1.0 MHz • 64k Ram • Hercules 8k EGA video card • 300baud USR modem • 2 x 340k 5¼" floppy drives • Software Emulated Sound • Apple DOS 3.3 • Sony 13" TV monitor • Integrated Keyboard • No Mouse
I love the animated adventures of CR! It's hard to pick a favorite. In a perfect world, we could just get every episode animated in it's entirety and put it up with a R rating [Language/Violence].
"Anything is possible if you don't know what you're talking about." - My Granddad
Bidet from Wisconsin - the butthole of the U.S.A.
To everyone working on DDB - you folks are AWESOME! Thank you for letting us all into your beta! To the community - thank you for being the friendliest I've ever experienced in a forum!
The more I watch the more Matt's Dm style irritates me. Mostly it's just penalizing the players for pointing out he is wrong, and him in fact being wrong. Sometimes it appears he isn't paying attention to what the players decide to do.
Like there are many times the PCs tell him they are going to do one thing and he narrates it to the PCs going the wrong way and then they have to correct him.
I feel like a lot of this is easier to spot since I've been bindge watching it.
I've noticed things he's done wrong, but maybe he's house ruled things? (Critical results being the biggest change I've noticed... 2dX vs 1dX x 2)
To be fair there are more than your average game going on here. He's on LIVE 'TV' which I'm sure is stressful. They are sitting across the room from each other, although it's like maybe a 2 ft gap, it's still farther than at the same table. If they're all talking at the same time (which to be honest they do frequently) it probably hard to keep track of what's going WHILE maintaining the field. He's maintaining music playlist (not terribily difficult, but does add an element of complexity). Also, remember that he is getting heckled all the time, and I'm sure viewers are tweeting him AS he makes a mistake, which probably has him second guess stuff. It's still a GREAT story, and the randomness of events is very well handled I think maybe cut him a little slack? You're binge watching because you enjoy it, try to not let being him human bring it down. Matt Mercer is great.
Critical hits was houseruled to save time. Ironically it's the one rule all the players know and they keep wanting to roll double dice meaning Matt has to constantly explain his change (which can be confusing) which takes more time then rolling double dice would.
Its more him coming off as a jerk and penalizing the players when he was the one in the wrong. Especially when they specifically said something.
I'll post more when I can use spoiler tags.
There is a difference between them discussing something and them telling Matt that they want to do that thing as well. There are a ton of times where they say "we should do this" but never actually tell Matt that they are going to do it. In those scenarios he holds it that the action was not done.
This encourages actual strategic thinking and planning; if he let happen everything that they discuss then there wouldn't really be a need for strategy, since whatever they want to happen, ends up happening.
He's not being a jerk, he's just being a DM. If you aren't strict/if you don't have table rules then the PC's will go crazy.
EDIT: That being said, he's also wrong sometimes. In a non-streaming game they could've gone back but in something like CR that is essentially a tv show, going back and forth would make it difficult and unwieldy. So what he says, goes. Sometimes he's wrong, but it's better than spending 30 minutes clarifying something that already happened.
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?
Specifically in part one the team says that the other team has the magic carpet. Team A proceeds to never use the magic carpet and I believe even comment on the fact they wished they had it. Fast forward to Team B and Matt makes them roll to see if they have the carpet because it is always in the bag of holding that Grog carries. Then later in the adventure the players come across an acid pit that has magical glyphs that results in the carpet being destroyed. Given Matt seems like the person who would retaliate against his players (he hints at it so much), it seems possible that Matt destroyed the Magic Carpet for them trying to have the carpet.
The problem is that the team A had specifically said that the other team had the magic carpet and didn't use it because the other team had it. Then Matt tried to claim the other team didn't have it.
In another instance Matt gets mad at Keyleth for not having the statistics for her conjure woodland beings spell. Another player even felt the need to defend Marisha by pointing out that the spell specifically states that the DM has the stats. If we ignore that Matt & Marisha are engaged, he really shouldn't assume that his player has access to the Monster Manual, as she wouldn't if she couldn't look at his copy. Yeah you could expect her to ask for it to get the stats before the game or when she prepared it. But getting mad at her for not doing so, is a bit much.
In the instance I'm referring to, the Party said they were going to one location. I can't remember if going back to the keep was mentioned while planning or not. (If it was, this was the complete opposite of what you said, as Matt took something they mentioned in planning and made it what they were actually doing). At any point the party said we are going to one location, Matt then said they were going back to the keep. It really did come off as Matt not wanting them at the other location.
It is okay for Matt to be wrong. It isn't oaky for him to be wrong and get mad at the players and take it out on them (especially when they were actually right).
I think you're entirely reading too much into that.
Matt forgot that Team A said that Team B had the carpet, and nobody in Team B corrected him because none of them knew that they had said that Team B has the carpet. The acid trap may have been for taking out the carpet, but I really don't think it was as a commuppance for them having the temerity to suggest that they may have it. You're the first person I've seen who has suggested that may be the case. Usually I see them saying it was his way to destroy the carpet if they weren't careful because magic carpets are annoying to prepare for and can foil many a trap.
It's also entirely possible that he designed the acid trap with the glyph to cast an anti-magic zone because he knew that something that they can get around just by flying is a trivial barrier, and the Rakshasa would know that as well.
Matt has never struck me as the type to 'punish' players - he lets them get away with a ton, for example. I also don't remember the other instance you're referring to, the 'going to one location or another' one.
(also, 'getting mad at' Marisha because she didn't know any Woodland Beast statistics isn't anywhere near what I'd call an accurate gauge of his emotions; 'frustrated' would be much closer, and still possibly too strong)
Based on the fact Matt didn't want them to have the carpet in the first place it seems very unlikely it was there to destroy the carpet should they have not been careful. In watching the first Slayers Take episode, I was under the impression when they said "we gave the carpet to the other team" that clearly they had communicated with the other team that the carpet had been transferred, especially since team B all assumed they had the carpet which has been established to have been in Grog's bag of holding as he was part of the first team. It is also likely members of team B were present watching team A play as Laura and therefore probably William were present to watch Team B play. I got the impression they didn't want to fight with Matt about it and dropped it.
Technically the Rockshasa would need to get over the lake as well. Barring the possibility that there was an alternate way that the PCs simply didn't find, the entire acid room is a bit unbelievable as the Rockshasa would have had to traverse it as well, somehow activate a magical glyph to prevent magic without using magic. I'd consider the whole thing very videogameish where you have something in a dungeon that simply doesn't make sense to be there.
So I might be reading too much into it, its just that is how it struck me.
Its the way he acts when they try to challenge him on anything (even the stuff they are right about) and how they usually back off. It also has to do with his comments he makes asking if they really want to challenge him.
I admit he lets them get away with a ton of stuff that he probably shouldn't.
I think the idea of him saying "do you really want to challenge the DM?" is more of a stereotype joke that he's using as showmanship kinda. They are making a TV show... for our entertainment. Maybe some of these disagreements are staged? Probably not, but they are all very aware they are on LIVE footage and I'm sure sometimes they say and do things to make a spectacle for us.
I reeeally liked Liam's one-shot.
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?
I thought it was an interesting game. I did kind of feel bad for Matt though.
He finally got to play, but just gets to play himself in a weird dream instead of a character.
She/Her College Student Player and Dungeon Master
I do agree with that. I was really excited to see what kind of character he would play
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?
I missed it because of an exam, but I'm super psyched to catch up on Monday!
"Education never ends Watson. It is a series of lessons with the greatest for the last."
- Sherlock Holmes
As the characters are quickly approaching 20th level any thoughts as to what is going to happen to critical role afterwards?
They have said a couple of time that they will start a new game with low level characters (I think Matt recently said he was thinking 2nd level) and switch things up a bit by playing completely different roles than what they are playing now.
She/Her College Student Player and Dungeon Master
Matt has often stated in Q&A sessions (after the early episodes and at conventions) that he is DM-ing an interactive story. He has stated that if he changes a rule or allows a player a bit of slack to advance the story, he doesn't want to hear how he 'broke the rules' from all the rule trolls. And yet, this still happens in the Twitch/Alpha chat while the game is being played AND here in these forums.
I started playing D&D with the White Box / AD&D era...where the idea was that the books served as resources to create your own rules. Once 2.0 and newer versions appeared, the rise of the Rule Nazis started appearing (You're NOT playing D&D if you don't do EXACTLY as the rules state!!!>.<) I would much rather play a game ran by a Matt-type of GM than one that sees their role as DM vs. Player.
TQQdles™
Order of the Bug Hunters
Apple ][+ MOSTech 6502 1.0 MHz • 64k Ram • Hercules 8k EGA video card • 300baud USR modem • 2 x 340k 5¼" floppy drives • Software Emulated Sound • Apple DOS 3.3 • Sony 13" TV monitor • Integrated Keyboard • No Mouse