As an avid fan of Critical Role, I have spent countless hours immersing myself in the world of Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein. But for those who are new to the fandom, or even for seasoned fans who want to deepen their knowledge, this ultimate guide will provide you with 20 insider facts that every fan should know.
Introduction to Critical Role
What is Critical Role?
Critical Role is a web series that follows a group of voice actors as they play Dungeons & Dragons. The show began as a home game played by a group of friends, but it has since grown into a phenomenon with a massive following.
The history of Critical Role
The show was created in 2015 by Matthew Mercer, a voice actor and dungeon master. He invited some of his fellow voice actors and friends to play a home game of Dungeons & Dragons, and they decided to stream it online. The show quickly gained a following and has since become a cultural phenomenon.
The cast of Critical Role
The cast of Critical Role is made up of talented voice actors, many of whom you may recognize from popular video games and anime. The main cast includes Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel, Liam O’Brien, Laura Bailey, and Ashley Johnson.
How Critical Role is played
The game mechanics of Critical Role
Critical Role is played using the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, with Matthew Mercer serving as the dungeon master. The players create their own characters and navigate through a fantasy world filled with danger and adventure.
The storytelling of Critical Role
One of the things that sets Critical Role apart from other Dungeons & Dragons shows is the emphasis on storytelling. The players are all talented actors, and they bring their characters to life in a way that is both entertaining and emotionally engaging.
The impact of Critical Role on the gaming community
Critical Role has had a huge impact on the gaming community, both in terms of its popularity and its influence on the way people play Dungeons & Dragons. The show has inspired countless players to start their own games, and it has even led to an increase in sales of Dungeons & Dragons products.
20 insider Critical Role facts every fan should know
- The name “Vox Machina” was inspired by a Latin phrase that means “voice machine.”
- The first episode of Critical Role aired on March 12, 2015.
- The show is filmed in a studio in Los Angeles, California.
- The opening theme song for the show was written by Jason Charles Miller.
- The show has been praised for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships.
- The cast has created their own line of official merchandise, including t-shirts, dice, and miniatures.
- The show has spawned several spin-off shows, including Talks Machina and Critter Hug.
- The show has had several guest stars, including Felicia Day, Jon Heder, and Joe Manganiello.
- The characters of Vox Machina have their own theme songs, which were written by the cast.
- The show has raised over $1 million for various charities through its live streams.
- The cast has done several live shows, including one at New York Comic Con.
- The show has been translated into several different languages, including French, German, and Spanish.
- The show has inspired countless fan art and fan fiction.
- The show has been nominated for several awards, including the Streamy Awards and the Webby Awards.
- The cast has been featured in several video games, including World of Warcraft and Overwatch.
- The show has had several emotional moments, including the death of a major character.
- The show has explored themes of mental health and trauma in a sensitive and nuanced way.
- The cast has done several charity streams, including one to raise money for Australian wildfire relief.
- The show has had several epic battles, including a fight against a massive kraken.
- The show has a dedicated fan community, known as “Critters,” who are passionate about the show and its characters.
Behind the scenes of Critical Role
The production of Critical Role
Producing Critical Role is a massive undertaking, requiring a dedicated team of professionals to bring the show to life. The crew includes camera operators, sound engineers, and editors, as well as a team of writers who help to develop the storylines and characters.
The rehearsal process of Critical Role
While the show may seem like it is entirely improvised, the cast actually spends a lot of time rehearsing and preparing for each session. They work with Matthew Mercer to develop their characters and come up with storylines that will keep the audience engaged.
The challenges of producing Critical Role
Producing a show like Critical Role comes with its own unique set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is keeping up with the demands of the fans, who are always hungry for more content. The cast and crew work tirelessly to create new episodes and spin-offs that will keep the fans engaged and excited.
Critical Role merchandise and community
The official Critical Role store
If you’re a fan of Critical Role, you’ll definitely want to check out the official merchandise store. The store offers a wide range of products, including t-shirts, hoodies, and miniatures, all featuring your favorite characters from the show.
The Critter community
The Critter community is a passionate and dedicated group of fans who love Critical Role. They gather together online and in person to discuss the show, share fan art, and participate in charity events. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll definitely want to get involved with the Critter community.
The impact of Critical Role on the tabletop gaming community
Critical Role has had a huge impact on the tabletop gaming community, inspiring countless players to start their own Dungeons & Dragons games. It has also led to an increase in sales of Dungeons & Dragons products, as well as a renewed interest in other tabletop games.
How to get involved with Critical Role
Watching Critical Role
The easiest way to get involved with Critical Role is simply to watch the show. You can find episodes on YouTube, Twitch, and the Critical Role website.
Playing Dungeons & Dragons
If you’re inspired by the show and want to start playing Dungeons & Dragons yourself, there are plenty of resources available online to help you get started. You can find rulebooks, character sheets, and other resources on the official Dungeons & Dragons website.
Attending live events
If you want to experience Critical Role in person, you can attend one of their live shows or conventions. These events offer a chance to meet the cast, participate in Q&A sessions, and even play Dungeons & Dragons with the cast.
Critical Role fan theories and discussions
Theories about the storylines
One of the most fun parts of being a fan of Critical Role is speculating about the future of the storylines and characters. Fans love to come up with their own theories about what will happen next, and to discuss these theories with other fans online.
Discussions about the characters
The characters of Critical Role are complex and interesting, and fans love to discuss their motivations and personalities. Fans also love to create fan art and fan fiction featuring their favorite characters.
Community discussions
The Critter community is a great place to discuss the show with other fans. Whether you want to talk about your favorite moments or speculate about what will happen next, there is always someone online who is eager to talk with you.
Critical Role live events and conventions
Critical Role Live
Critical Role Live is a series of live shows that take place in different locations around the world. These shows offer a chance to meet the cast, participate in Q&A sessions, and watch the cast play Dungeons & Dragons live on stage.
Conventions
The cast of Critical Role often attends conventions, where they participate in panels and meet-and-greets with fans. These conventions offer a chance to meet other fans of the show and to participate in other tabletop gaming events.
Charity events
The cast of Critical Role often participates in charity events, using their platform to raise money for important causes. These events offer a chance to give back to the community while also enjoying the company of other fans of the show.
Critical Role’s influence on the Dungeons & Dragons community
The rise of Dungeons & Dragons
Since the premiere of Critical Role, there has been a surge of interest in Dungeons & Dragons. More people are playing the game than ever before, and there has been a renewed interest in other tabletop games as well.
The impact on Dungeons & Dragons products
The popularity of Critical Role has also had an impact on the sales of Dungeons & Dragons products. More people are buying rulebooks, miniatures, and other products than ever before, thanks to the influence of the show.
The influence on other shows and podcasts
Critical Role has also inspired other shows and podcasts to explore the world of Dungeons & Dragons. There are now dozens of shows and podcasts that focus on tabletop gaming, many of which have been inspired by the success of Critical Role.
Critical Role guest appearances and crossovers
Other shows and podcasts
The cast of Critical Role has made several guest appearances on other shows and podcasts, including The Adventure Zone and HarmonQuest. These appearances are always exciting for fans, who love to see their favorite voice actors in other contexts.
Video games
The cast of Critical Role has also appeared in several video games, including World of Warcraft and Overwatch. These appearances have helped to bring even more attention to the show and to the talented voice actors behind it.
Crossovers with other Dungeons & Dragons shows
Critical Role has also had several crossovers with other Dungeons & Dragons shows, including Acquisitions Incorporated and Dice, Camera, Action. These crossovers are always exciting for fans, who love to see their favorite characters interacting with characters from other shows.
Critical Role’s charitable contributions
The impact of Critical Role’s charity work
One of the most impressive things about Critical Role is the amount of charitable work that the cast has done. Through their live streams and other events, they have raised over $1 million for various charities, including 826LA, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The impact on the community
The cast’s charitable work has had a huge impact on the community, inspiring other fans to get involved and to make a difference in the world. It has also helped to raise awareness for important causes and to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The future of Critical Role’s charitable work
The cast has stated that they plan to continue their charitable work in the future, using their platform to raise money and awareness for important causes. They have also encouraged their fans to get involved and to make a difference in their own communities.
Critical Role fan art and creative projects
Fan art
The Critter community is known for its incredible fan art, featuring everything from portraits of the characters to scenes from the show. Fans love to share their art online and to participate in fan art contests hosted by the cast.
Fan fiction
Fans also love to create fan fiction featuring their favorite characters from the show. These stories explore different aspects of the characters’ personalities and motivations, and are often highly emotional and engaging.
Other creative projects
Fans of Critical Role are incredibly creative, and they love to create all sorts of projects inspired by the show. These projects include cosplay, music, and even Dungeons & Dragons campaigns based on the world of Critical Role.
Critical Role’s future plans and upcoming projects
The future of Critical Role
The cast has stated that they plan to continue making Critical Role for as long as possible, with no end in sight. They have also hinted at some exciting upcoming storylines and character developments that are sure to keep fans engaged.
Other upcoming projects
In addition to Critical Role, the cast has several other projects in the works, including a comic book series and an animated series. These projects are sure to delight fans and to introduce even more people to the world of Critical Role.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Like many other shows and events, Critical Role has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast has had to adjust to streaming the show from home, but they have continued to produce new episodes and to engage with their fans online.
Frequently asked questions about Critical Role
What is the best way to get started with Critical Role?
The best way to get started with Critical Role is simply to start watching the show. You can find episodes on YouTube, Twitch, and the Critical Role website.
How can I get involved with the Critter community?
The Critter community is a passionate and welcoming group of fans. You can get involved by joining online forums and groups, attending live events, and participating in charity events.
What Dungeons & Dragons products should I buy if I’m a fan of Critical Role?
If you’re a fan of Critical Role, you might want to consider buying the official Dungeons & Dragons starter set, which includes everything you need to start playing the game. You might also want to check out the official Critical Role merchandise store for t-shirts, dice, and other products.
Resources for further exploration of Critical Role
The official Critical Role website
The official Critical Role website is a great resource for fans, offering everything from show transcripts to fan art contests.
The Critical Role subreddit
The Critical Role subreddit is a great place to discuss the show with other fans, share fan art, and participate in community events.
The official Dungeons & Dragons website
The official Dungeons & Dragons website is a great resource for anyone interested in playing the game. You can find rulebooks, character sheets, and other resources to help you get started.
The post The Ultimate Guide: 20 Insider Critical Role Facts Every Fan Should Know appeared first on NSF News and Magazine.