Critical Role Fanboy Was Convinced Firbolgs Have Tails | Narrated D&D Story

[@CameoAfro]

I have a really good friend who was super, SUPER into critical role and something like this happening was like my worst fear when playing an actual game with her. Fortunately, CR actually inspired her to read the rulebooks and she's very good about asking me and other experienced players about aby differences. I'm also very intentional about how I run games; I simply don't make space for "well that's how [X] does it". All this to say that Toxic Critical Role Fan is just another bad player archetype that DMs have to deal with

[@KHitsuga]

Always remember, if anyone says "be more like Matthew Mercer" that "not until you are Liam O'Brien" is a valid response.

[@chillycharizard5985]

Or Travis, or Taliesin (The others are also great but those three are ones that I usually think of associating with good player habits)

[@RamRam-oi3qm]

I am grateful to have a realistic group who likes to roleplay but never expects me to DM like Mercer.

[@XFizzlepop-Berrytwist]

@@chillycharizard5985 Travis, and Liam do really stick out, there have been times where they always ask if they can do x, and a simple yes or no, they accept it. His players are all generally pretty great, but yeah.

[@greasysmith3150]

Or just say "Im better than Mercer" and watch the heads explode

[@benkayvfalsifier3817]

Or Sam Riegel. Good grief he can pull off a great character. He always plays the "clown" and then, out of nowhere, he becomes the tragic character with whom everyone sympathizes.

[@bloglazer9410]

Those idiots do know that Matt Mercer NEVER said Firbolg have tails or for that matter, ever depicted artwork of them having tails in ANY of the critical role dnd expansions.

[@boopadoop385]

yeah caduceus's offical art doesn't even include a tail, just the cow nose. Fan art draws him with a tail tail. I draw him with a tail. Like i see people head canon goblins and halflings having tails. I mean they don't but like it's cool

[@bessieburnet9816]

Yeah, when I saw the title of this video, I was like "Don't remember Caduceus having a tail" 🤔

[@lokitakahashi3042]

wait until they find a old kebold artwork that's a anthropomorphic dog

[@Frostman411]

Yeah downside of one misinterpreted word from Matt by Liam. And then people took firbolgs and made them into cow tieflings. Or as I like to call them, beeflings.

[@firstswordcorvus7368]

I believe there was a interview with Matt Mercer about the "effect" from his show and he was pretty disappointed by it. And said what every other DM says that they can run the game how they want and it doesn't work for every table

[@GreaterGrievobeast55]

Wh- that much effort put into mistrusting the Firbolg! Like did they think it was some goblin in disguise or something?? Why did it eat them so much imside? YIRBEL LIVES

[@getefix3]

I think some communication of "why are you doing this" "he has no tail" "firbolgs dont HAVE tails" "well matt mercer has tailed firbolgs" "in my world they dont have tails" would have sorted the issue early on - or - "bring up a non-fanart picture of *insert CR firbolg here* and show me the tail"

[@jonathancollins1868]

"Matt Mercer would have done x?" "Well go play at his table then!" My planned response for the Mat Mercer effect.

[@ohgeegames]

When I first started DM'ing for some friends, one of them mentioned "Matt Mercer does it this way" in a game and was shocked when I replied "Who?" because I had never once watched a single episode of Critical Role... 😲and still to this day - I've seen little bits here and there, but I haven't watched a full episode. I did watch the animation on Amazon though - enjoyed that a lot! 😁

[@Fisthammet]

"As a DM myself ,I'd probably rule it like this... but..." Words to fear as a DM.

[@realdragon]

Normal firbolgs aren't even cow people, they're just big people

[@Mightymajin]

They only got their cow-like traits in 5e, for better or for worse

[@77wolfblade]

From Celtic mythology they'd be kind of like Earth Giants in a way.

[@SasukeX53]

Critical Role should only be seen as a point of 'Reference' not 'how the games should be played.' Every DM has their own individually built universe with their own in world rules, using the dnd books as a building mold. Curse of Strahd is a good perspective on how DMs run that module differently. Just because they say it is a curse of strahd game, doesn't mean its going to be following the events word for word.

[@libertyordeath1640]

The DM has the final word, no arguing allowed

[@Mare_Man]

Firbolgs are just 11 foot tall Irish people

[@XFizzlepop-Berrytwist]

I do agree the potion thing as an action is a bit much. Drinking a potion as an action wont be worth it 99% of the time, unless to only get someone up.

[@lostkitty82]

Honestly? DMs need to just start saying, "I am not Matt Mercer, and this is not a game run by Matt Mercer. If you don't like how I'm running this game, you are free to leave and find a new group. Just make sure you tell your new DM that you expect the game to be run like how Matt Mercer does on Critical Roll. That will save everyone time and energy in the future."

[@bloglazer9410]

HEY don't blame Matt, he never said they had tails.

[@Fisthammet]

Playing a pirate campaign, my long time DM started the campaign with the party being dragged out of the ships hold, whipped us bloody on the deck, before screaming at the whole table (2 new players) "Shut the fuck up complaining already, you curs!" before knocking the 1st new player to talk unconscious. Set the tone for the rest of the campaign, just right.

[@kingwildcat6192000]

​@bloglazer9410 no one is blaming Mercer, it's called the mercer effect due to people demanding dms to be like mercer yet they as the players don't think they should be the rest of critical role.

[@realdragon]

There are games and DMs that play just like critical role, if you want to play critical role join game that advertises itself as critical role universe

[@77wolfblade]

One of the few reasons why many people are avoiding being dungeon masters. The DM should not be a slave to the player the DM also wants to enjoy the game.

[@Lunasera]

I really like critical role, but always understood it's just one group playing the game the way they like not "this is the way it's got to be". As for the fanart, with the description (ignoring official art) I've seen quite a few fanart designs that seem to be inspired by the na'vi from Avatar. Since those have tails it might be the reason so many fanart versions have tails too. If I were the DM I would like to say as long as the tail has no real function except for looking fancy, it's up to the player if they would like one, but they have to understand that both are possible options. Though I have to admit I prefer to stay with the original description as much as possible. In our current campaign I'm playing a harengon. When I created the character my DM thought I would make a girl wih bunny ears and was suprised when Lieven turned out to be a full on fluffy bunny. I mean, where is the fun in playing a human with weird ears (I'm joking, but you get what I mean ^^) if I can go full cute fluff?

[@hartthorn]

I kinda fell off on the whole "Mercer Effect" thing. Like, it's not his or any of Critical Role's fault that some people are trying to force the table. And there are plenty of people who force tables for a variety of reasons (like, just be glad it's CR and not their kink), And honestly some of these could have at least been pulled back if the GM had just called a time-out. The Firbolg one is practically a Gazebo moment, honestly.

[@bessieburnet9816]

Caduceus doesn't even have a tail...

[@Mightymajin]

1. It's more of a interpretation thing honestly for small things like that 2. That guy does seem to h Be a "give an inch, takes a mile" type

[@lotsaspaghetticodejr.6488]

This is why hardcover books are superior to .PDFs Open the book in front of them weh the Firbolg artwork and ask them to point out where it has a tail.

[@mentalrebllion1270]

I’ll never understand the Matt Mercer effect. Oh I adore critical role and adore how Matt runs his games. I deeply admire it all and am a huge fan of the Mighty Nien in particular. However, not once have I had that color how I perceive my DMs for the many games I’m a part of. I fully expect my dm for a game to run things their own way and have their own subtle rules and ways they make calls and design things in general. Heck, it’s what I enjoy about being part of so many different tables. Honestly, I’m not even sure I have the confidence to play at Matt Mercer’s table. Not because I don’t think everyone would be super nice, I’m very sure they would be, but because it’s a high level table. I don’t do voices for my characters, I’m still new to roleplaying, and I make plenty of mistakes, even sometimes forget rules (I’m so glad my tables are patient with me). To be honest I’m not sure the average player could play at their table and that’s ok. It takes your “A” game every time to play there and this is a hobby and I’m ok with it being lower stakes than that. I honestly only have one dm that can remotely runs the game in a similar style to Matt Mercer (and I’m pretty sure it isn’t intentional) and even those, as fun as they are, are quite difficult. Oh I love it! It’s one of my favorite stories I play in, but yeah, playing in it asks a lot of you every time. Still rewarding though. That doesn’t mean I dislike or don’t enjoy the styles my other DMs use for their games. They are all different and all fun in their own way and I adore it. I look forward to all of them. And this is why I can’t understand expecting a dm to run their games exactly like critical role, especially since that excuse is only thrown out as a way to be entitled to a ruling that is only in the player’s favor and not when it’s difficult. Matt Mercer runs a difficult game, you can’t have it both ways. Enjoy your dm for the game they run and how they run it. Stop looking over at your neighbor’s lawn and thinking it’s greener than yours and then trying to force yours to be like theirs. Your game isn’t critical role’s game. Enjoy it for what it is and who is right in front of you. It’s the most respectful thing you can do. Ah but I suppose I’m mostly preaching to the choir here. I’m sure most of you understand that. It’s ok to take in new ideas from the game and apply them to your game, that’s what any good dm does, take on new skills learned from others and apply them as it suits, but one should still not try to copy another wholesale. It’s not fair to anyone. Grow, learn, but be yourself and do things the ways you do them. Tell the story only you and the people at your table can tell. That story won’t be told of you keep pretending to be someone else, or forcing someone else to be what they are not. Have fun. Honestly, I hope everyone can have fun, players and the DMs.

[@pinkymii072]

Honestly after some time idk if it was just old dudebro DND players complaining about newer players

[@Mokiefraggle]

Honestly, I feel like sometimes the Matt Mercer Effect is just the newbie player version of the old classic "My _old_ DM did it like _THIS!!!" The only difference is, that player who makes constant claims of what their old DM did might be someone who's played multiple editions, possibly has DMed themselves, and has generally got a decent basis for things under their belts, which somehow makes the claim just a little less frustrating. They know the mechanics, but may be getting a wire crossed across editions, or are being salty because the group isn't using their preferred edition, but they like the group enough to participate. The Matt Mercer Effect newbie often has no knowledge outside of a broad understanding of 5e, and may not even know the actual rules from the book, but rather how Mercer chooses to interpret it. This means that they're going to cling to that interpretation, because Mercer--as a public figure and "professional" DM--must clearly know the only One True Way to interpret the rules, even beyond how WotC wrote the dang things. They also seem to cling to a pretty high standard of roleplay, not understanding that even within Matt's group, there's people who are very roleplay intense, and those who just want to sit back and smash stuff. Admittedly, in Matt's group, the division between the two is much narrower than it can be in your average group, but it exists. Now, a good "Mercer Effect newbie" will learn that not every group is CritRole, and will adjust accordingly. They might even branch out and learn about other RPGs. The not so good ones are the sort who insistently stick to their guns as a method of protesting anything they feel doesn't benefit them, much like a grognard who clings to the "My old DM...!" song and dance.

[@russdarracott395]

I have seen some cr but I'm more of a unexpectables fan. Although I understand that shows like cr & the unexpectables are more about entertainment then d&d. (more on cr side than the unexpectables)

[@bloglazer9410]

What stupider is that matt never said they had tails.

[@russdarracott395]

@@bloglazer9410 I don't really care if they do or they don't. It's the dm's descression either way.

[@paradoxical998]

I love critical role BUT, they are not the be all and end all for d&d. I get that if it was their first introduction was critical role they would expect all d&d to be that way but, using "that's not how it is in critical role" isn't a valid excuse.

[@muffin103]

I didnt even know the critical role firbolgs had tails (Granted ive only seen campaign 2, and a very small bit of 3)

[@itap8880]

Interestingly enough, the only firbolgs I have known of till today are the ones from Warcraft. They do have tails.

[@mrfixitishere]

I started to ask why the critical role hate and then I thought about my dealings with the fans. Some times I wish I had matt's players. And this may sound mean but I think more players need the boot to find the group that is right for them.

[@darkwin1977]

by the way, in Matt mercer system, Daggerhearts, Firbolg are not giant-kin, they are cowfolk [or minotaurs], and even then, they have not tails.

[@TheNeoVid]

Haven't gotten around to watching any big D&D streams, but all this talk about Critical Role makes me wonder whatever happened to Acquisitions Inc.

[@lokitakahashi3042]

they still play once a year at live at Pax

[@Arandash04]

Remember that dnd is about the finding the rules everyone finds the most fun with the DM just having to give the final say and enforcing said rules. Also CR shouldn’t be what you consider an actual dnd game. It’s a bunch of actors making a series of heavily improvised filmed productions that is based on the rules of dnd

[@valeclaw1697]

Firbolgs dont even all look like they do in the art, at least in traditional D&D lore. 5es art of them is more like a fey touched one. Theyre half giants.

[@Sichuanbeef]

Yes, Matt Mercer is great, however this isn't his table. Now save VS Death each round as your character is going into cardiac arrest.

[@cameronmackinnon5923]

Critical Roloids should NOT be allowed at a table and I am not joking

[@jazzstone2167]

I swear I just heard your voice, in a male pattern baldness cure commercial.

[@andrewparsons2391]

Critical Role is just Matt Mercer's homebrew.

[@misterevildeeds8006]

If i have said it once i have said it a thousand times. FIRBOLGS ARE NOT COWS!! THEY DO NOT HAVE TAILS!.

[@garful]

Critical role firbolgs dont even have tails

[@TrashTalesDnD]

I....unironically draw firbolgs with cow tails and like im not going to apologize but its like i know what people usually think Firbolgs look like. Thats cool. But i like them having tails. I like them being cow people. I'm always gonna draw them like that and if people dont like them looking that way in their game i just simply dont use a firbolg in that game.

[@ludvig_pupik]

real

[@jonathanstern5537]

I'm not a fan of Blood Hunter as a class.

[@Wtfzipcode]

read as "femboy" at first

[@nullflameborn3938]

critical roll fanboys commited a major rp taboo when going after the furbold in the begining, using knowlage that their characters dont have (furbold tail)

[@MethosChannel]

Ïn 5e, you can choose to drink a potion with your ACTION or your BONUS ACTION.

[@Mr_GoR_]

False. Drinking a potion as a bonus action is a popular/common house rule, not a 5e mechanic.

[@PozerAdultRacingTeam]

We never really used firbolgs so I wouldn't necessarily know if it had a tail or not. I don't prefer Matt Mercer style. I still mostly play like I did back in the 2E days.

[@juliagoodwin9510]

Are there any "Critical Role fan stories" that _aren't_ toxic? I swear, the nutters ruin things for the rest of us. 😠

[@boopadoop385]

saying this as a critical role fan that played in a game run by another critter. I feel that's a fair assumption

[@itap8880]

Assuming there are, they have no reason to ever mention that someone is a CR fan.

[@nanoglitch6693]

I never played this but after some googling, they def have tails. DM fail.

[@2g33ksgamingttv3]

I'd google again because they definitely do not have tails. They are like feywild nature Goliaths essentially.

[@nanoglitch6693]

@@2g33ksgamingttv3 It doesn't matter, the DM still failed. He let the players completely derail the game over one dumb detail because he wanted to be right. Honestly sounds like he wanted to punish the players with a bad time, rather than find a work-around (or just get rid of the stupid firbolg) for daring challenge his ego. Toxic DM. DM fail.

[@Mokiefraggle]

@@nanoglitch6693 No, it's not the DM's fail. He introduced the NPC, who was intended to be a major plot point, and the players immediately went bonkers insistently trying to prove that the firbolg was using Disguise Self. They were the ones creating the bad time, not the DM, as they refused to believe that this NPC who approached them peacefully was at all genuine, and screwed themselves over. It's like attacking an NPC in World of Warcraft, and then being pissed off that they remain aggro toward you when they respawn...the players put themselves in that bad position and wasted their resources, and had the gall to be offended and basically throw a "You're doing it wrong!" at the DM. There _WAS_ no way to work around this. The DM couldn't "just get rid of the firbolg." You don't just handwave and say "forget that there was a firbolg here trying to give you a quest/information/whatever. Never happened." The situation was already out of hand the minute the players of their own volition turned against the NPC, and any attempt to tap back on the situation would have likely just caused distrust and unrest, rather than resolving it. The _players_ are the ones being ego-driven, not the DM. They were the ones who ignored the plot hook in order to insistently stalk and then assault the NPC, completely failing to read the room and comprehend that the DM wasn't blocking them, but was instead confused and trying to get the plot back in line as they continued to screw it up.

[@irregularsloth214]

Idk that heavy crossbow situation is kinda bs

[@Cruzing_Snoozing]

First!

[@bradleyweeks1875]

First reply

[@kingwildcat6192000]

Second reply

[@DrPluton]

I absolutely dislike the CR firbolg "bovine" redesign, but they (and dragonborn) don't have tails.

[@JR-ld2xx]

CR is it totally legit? Are they not to entertain people? The more people watch, buy items and get others to watch & buy. The more these entertainers make money. When watching, there's been questionable segments when everything fits neatly together. I, like the entertainment, but it is odd.

[@clericofchaos1]

I fall into that camp of "Matt Mercer has done more harm to D&D than good". Yes, he's introduced a whole new audience to the hobby, but most of those people are ones that we don't want at our tables. Better were the days when D&D spread through word of mouth and those who knew about it were the privileged few.

[@invictus_Vi]

You're blaming Matt for the actions of other people he has no control of? Weird hill to die on, but go ahead. Matt has openly expressed his upset and disappointment about the "Matt Mercer Effect" on DND campaigns, btw.

[@clericofchaos1]

@@invictus_Vi You do realize that a cult leader who commands his followers to practice human sacrifice is just as guilty as the people who wield the knife right? You also realize that "I'm sorry" aren't the magic words that make everything better right? the damage is done, and whether he's sorry or not, it all started with him.

[@CameoAfro]

Matt Mercer didn't create bad players who can't properly collaborate. That's a problem as old as tabletop gaming.

[@kingwildcat6192000]

​​@@CameoAfrorue but the cr group encourages that behavior as besides 3-4ish players (in order of beat players to worse of the main group. Travis, Ashley* Taliesin, Liam, Laura, Sam, Marisha) excluding guest players and players removed long ago. Like we gonna pretend that there are a couple of rule lawyers, that guys, and spotlight hogs in the group to this day? (*Was forced to edit as my phone sent the comment before I had finished typing it)

[@kingwildcat6192000]

​@@invictus_Vino one is blaming Mercer, people are blaming the rest of the cast. It's called the mercer effect as people demand dms be like mercer while ignoring the fact they don't act like the rest/majority of CRs group. These toxic critters expect the dms to "act" like mercer and deal with their bs while they be the oriens, sams and marishas at the table.

[@pinkymii072]

Dude just....let Firbolgs have tails. It's not that scary.

[@Mokiefraggle]

That's nowhere near the point. The DM's reaction was pure confusion, because as far as he knew (ie, based on the canon as shown in the game books), Firbolgs don't have tails. His players then proceed to go off the rails in a screwball attempt to "prove" something the DM had no clue of, because they didn't even tell him until after they'd wasted their resources and time, put themselves in a bad situation, and got butt-hurt about it.