Scanlans Gambit: A Moment of Pure Heart and Genuine Roleplay (Critical Role)

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Critical Roles most powerful moment was Scanlan Shorthalts most insane attempt to fight two gods... and it resonates even today.
Critical Roles Most Meaningful Moment.
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Hello! My name is Jay, and I am a long-time veteran of storytelling and a semi-seasoned DM! I began playing Dungeons and Dragons roughly 5 years ago and began my first ever game as the DM. I figured things out by watching online games and fumbling my way through the rules, and never looked back! I've fallen in love with TTRPG's in general and want to share my experience and thoughts with the world and community I love so much. I currently DM two separate games regularly, and continue to learn every day.
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[@Evilshadow529]

A quote I've seen described this moment: "Six people were willing to fight a god, but one person was willing to fight two gods."

[@somenerdpng]

I do like the “Six people walked into that fight willing to fight a god, one walked in willing to fight two.” Just the, walked into the fight part does it for em

[@Evilshadow529]

@@somenerdpng that's a good one as well.

[@urosmirkovic8353]

@@somenerdpng thanks to Matt Colvile for the quote ;)

[@TheAnonyomusGuy]

Another good alternative could be: "Six people walked in ready to fight a God, but only one was ready to fight two."

[@Blue_Lunacy]

@@urosmirkovic8353 Apprently, it was a user who commented on his video on this topic, not Matt himself.

[@waltterihaapaniemi4341]

The fact that Sam said "I am sorry Liam" instead of "I am sorry Vax" really got me.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

You could tell in that moment that Sam just wanted to keep his friend alive. The person that had made everything possible, who had experienced such pain over the course of the campaign. He genuinely asked the team if it was worth it, because he couldn't decide whether to save his friend or save the world.

[@Stormcrownn]

Honestly, Vax dying really made campaign 1 special@@ShadowyFox_86

[@VDA19]

@@ShadowyFox_86 And he tried one last time after using the Counterspell and Vecna's defeat. When the Raven Queen says Vax needs to say goodbye, Sam/Scanlan asks for 'one last night together'. He wanted his Spell Slot back in the morning so he can try the Wish. He truly was 200 IQ. What I never understood is why he didn't use the Wish in the days BEFORE the last battle.

[@Kantilvih]

​@@VDA19one, there are massive drawbacks to using the spell in unique ways, better make sure nothing important might need you after. Two, it is unknown how using wish would change Vax's abilities if used to change the deal. Three drama.

[@TrairFrair]

Just to add a little more information about the intended wish. Sam had talked to Matt in brief about it before the episode. I'm sure Matt said that he can certainly try LOL. So that is why when Sam announced the level 9 spell, Matt made that horrified face for a moment. He knew what Sam had intended, and he knew the cost of declaring that counterspell. Sam wanted to save his friend, but he settled on saving the world.

[@foxtoxic9722]

Damm, that last sentence...

[@thejerseyboy6908]

GET THESE ONIONS OUT OF HERE😭

[@SocialNomad]

Shit, I didn't even notice at first

[@feitocomfruta]

… literally the Trolley Problem in action. “Sacrifice one dear to you in order to save the many, or sacrifice the many to save the one dear to you.”

[@thunderspear2251]

You can see Matt realize what was happening in that moment. He's got that little DM smile on his face when he asks, "Are you going to *try* and counterspell?" Even Matt thought he'd burned through his niner before that point, and I think it all hit him when Sam told him "Nine." I think that was the moment when Matt realized why Sam asked about the details of the Wish spell earlier, and especially the fact that he'd held onto his 9th level slot for so long. Sam could've gambled on a lower level slot to try to stop it, but he knew that the nine was a guaranteed stop. Damn, I can't wait to see this get animated...

[@danscantland8066]

This scene is why I think Scanlan needs a ring of wishes for the cartoon. Scanlan needs a mechanical device to show Scanlan giving up a resource in the final counterspell

[@Figgy5119]

That or when they get the trammels he is given a boon of one wish that he just holds onto until he finally has to wish for Vecna to not be able to leave.

[@umburon]

They could play it off as a wish the deck of many things gave?

[@elbruces]

@@umburon That could make sense, since the Scanlan/Grog deck card shenanigans will probably be how they introduce the concept of a Wish into the show.

[@Adiforge]

I was also thinking about making the wish/the highest spell a physical object that Scanlan has or if they want to tie it with the deck of many things a literal final card up Scanlan's sleeves

[@ten5h1]

I still say they should do a close up of Scanlan’s face as he casts the spell with Vax reflected in Scanlan’s eye as a single tear falls as his heart breaks.

[@DWN-Infinity]

A quote from the clip which captured the moment is "Everybody is playing checker but Sam has already lost a chess game nobody else knew were being played"

[@Tcrror]

Did you butcher the quote or is that what the original quote looked like?

[@DWN-Infinity]

@@Tcrror That's what the quote is like

[@TheAnonyomusGuy]

This also kicked off Sam's thematic choice for future characters, revolving around guilt. Scanlan failed to save Vax, so Nott is Calabs protector, but because Nott failed to save Fjord, Jester, and Yasha, Molly died, so FCG is Ashtons Protector.

[@haygirlhayy]

Wow, what clever insight. I never thought about it like that. Poor Sam, still feeling so guilty all this time!

[@TheAnonyomusGuy]

@@haygirlhayy I don't think he literally feels guilty, It is just a game after all but it is an interesting through line when you look at it

[@edwardnotyourconcern6519]

Holy crap!

[@lytherael2309]

... Shit, I did not realise that. That did make me tear up.

[@tristram0073]

Such an interesting thought I think I’d be fun to see if it continues with the character who died in campaign 4 no spoilers lol

[@korraislove]

Liam’s “Don’t be sorry… I love you” broke Sam and broke ME 😭

[@chungleandthebims167]

I aspire for a friendship as deep as theirs

[@wowguy1243]

pretty sure that broke everyone

[@FedericoVetencourt]

This was the most beautiful response I've ever seen in a game of anykind in almost any media I've ever watched

[@Omega1867]

One could only dream of having a friendship like theirs. Liam’s response not only broke Sam, it broke the rest of us too. 🥺💔

[@bigbadwolfstudios1]

You know that this scene in vox machina is going to be absolutely brutal 😭

[@cryofpaine]

I was thinking how much that scene will miss because we won't see Sam's reaction. But then thinking of Liam's performance in the Matron's Tomb, you're right. That's going to be a gut punch.

[@gavinbock8531]

It’ll be interesting to see how they do it, I mean the emotion of this scene is between two players not two pc’s. I’m sure they will find a way to rip my heart out of my chest in a wholly new way lol

[@thefallencat2080]

@@cryofpaine I mean, you'll see scanlan be broken.

[@KedarOthort]

The two scenes that are going to hurt the most are this and A Bard's Lament

[@KedarOthort]

​@@gavinbock8531 in my head I imagine we're going to get a moment of flashbacks as Scanlan realizes what he has to do, ending with the image of those happy memories shattering under the reality that he couldn't save him

[@IdriveKITTnyc]

Just want to point out that sam doesn't ask Matt, he asks Liam if it is worth it. When Liam says yes, that's when he turns to Matt and the tears start flowing. 😢

[@copycrow4486]

It was truly one of the biggest emotional moments of C1. Everyone had traveled and prepared, everyone at that table walked into that space, ready to take on and challenge a god. Except for one Gnome. For walked in, ready to challenge not one, but two gods, all for the sake of his friend.

[@PlayYourRole]

God damn it I see people say that so often and yet every time it makes me wanna cry

[@copycrow4486]

@@PlayYourRole Ever since I first saw a comment saying this, it's been stuck in my head as to how you describe it all.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

And Sam has admitted that he didn't have the wording for the Wish spell figured out ahead of time. That's some serious courage.

[@lokilucario]

Too long winded and cringe. Try again

[@PlayYourRole]

@@lokilucario Not a single clue what you're attempting to communicate but I truly hope you had a good day today!

[@krampusklaws2238]

In the episode after that when Vax was being taken away and everyone as crying except Sam, it's when you realise Sam went through that whole stage grief the moment he counterspelled Vecna. Everyone else was too preoccupied with the fight to fully grasp Sam's grief at what he had to do. Well, except Liam. They had their moment right there.

[@osutuba]

The full circle moment is for Vex's wedding when Scanlan uses the wish to bring Vax back to see her. THAT was an emotional moment!

[@ShadowyFox_86]

And in the final moments of his wishes...the final cost...we see all the emotion.

[@xCCflierx]

His final wish. Never to wish again. So fucking beautiful and symbolic

[@briandaaranda9735]

For me, Vax and his story and sacrifice hit hard because I am a twin, and I would do anything for my brother, just as I know he'd do anything for me. In this moment, Scanlan was trying to keep the twins together, trying to defy a goddess and a would-be god, to save his strength for a single spell that can rewrite the course of history and alter the fabric of the world. And he has to measure that against the well-being of literally everyone in the world. And he has to choose, essentially, to doom his friend in order to win. Scanlan Shorthalt may be the shortest character, but he's definitely the greatest.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

The bravest little gnome in all of Exandria.

[@Ivan_D995]

Small man casts log shadow (c)

[@deathsleet8873]

Things get even more touching when you look at the Dalien’s Closet one shot and consider what Scanlan does at the end of that…

[@Dani_77709]

I still get emotional about it.

[@dragonheart1357]

Not only what he does but also what it COSTS him. He gave up the ability to cast the Wish spell ever again (through sheer luck of the dice) for that.

[@GeldarionTFS]

@@dragonheart1357 I FORGOT about that. So amazingly poetic.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

The bravest little gnome in all of Exandria.

[@CharlieHiggins420]

What does he do?

[@deltablaze77]

“Six people walked into that fight willing to fight a god, one walked in willing to fight two.” - Anonymous

[@scmh1288]

Ugh, my heart

[@MinecraftLovesSteve]

YOU CANT CALL THE VIDEO SCANLANS GAMBIT BECAUSE NOW IM IN TEARS AND GONNA USE THAT PHRASE IN MY EVERYDAY DMING

[@PlayYourRole]

God if this became a term people used I'd be so happy

[@theUnconventionalGamer]

This is one of the reasons I love Sam Riegel so much. And he has this ability to carry this type of depth to multiple games. If you haven't seen him in EXU Calamity, I urge you to go watch it - it's 4 episodes (the last one being a bit longer), but his broadcast speech in the 4th episode brought me, other members of the cast, and even Sam himself (almost) to tears (he confirmed this in the follow up/wrap up episode). And this is why I love both Critical Role and Dimension 20. This is the kind of game I want to play in, but haven't been able to find. And I will continue to search until I can find one.

[@ulyssespeterson6821]

I cried when I heard his voice breaking during the announcement.

[@tacoman10]

You can't find a group like this. You have to create it.

[@theUnconventionalGamer]

@@tacoman10 I've been trying for a long time. It's hard to find players mature enough to focus more on the character and story arc then merely just the mechanics. And you have to have a certain level of trust within the group to be able to tell or create a good story. Games like these are excellent ways of investigating the human condition, explore morality, and grow as people. And to be able to do it on that level? That's extremely hard to develop, create, or find in individuals, much less to create as a cohesive group. Hell, it took the Critical Role cast getting rid of one of their players first before they had the level of trust and focus to help each other create wonderful stories.

[@FizzLeeague]

@@theUnconventionalGamer Yeah. It's tough. I am in one campaign like that. We've seen such a range of touching experiences, from weddings and wandering, to miracles and massacres, and jailbreaks and executions. We even had a Player character commit suicide. It's so dependent on the right people. People who are committed to the concept of the characters being fleshed out - beings that breathe and feel.

[@theoriginalkimerli]

“Art is the absence of loneliness” wow that’s a great line.

[@paulscott2037]

I'm gonna have to remember that one

[@theUnconventionalGamer]

@@paulscott2037 It is extremely profound.

[@daisykid3]

It's an incredible line!

[@RuneKatashima]

It truly is. Due to art, for the first time in 2022 I felt like I wasn't alone. Yes, I can call up my parents or a friend, but due to a specific bit of art, I knew someone out there was going through life and questioning the same things I was, with all that came with it. That's what made me feel not alone. Not the voice or physical presence of another.

[@dracodraco1982]

Hmm. I'm not sure that holds up, at least for me. I'm accustomed to being alone, been a recluse a couple decades now, but loneliness is surprisingly rare. Art is like music, it reaches depths I didn't know I had, and soothes, inspires, drives me in ways I can't put into words. Not in the moment, and not after, either. But maybe I'm different on this, I certainly don't have any conception of a better description than this: Food sustains the body, knowledge empowers the mind, and art? Art touches the soul. (Light, lithe, gentle. Crushing, cracking, brutal. It's touch runs from slight enough you aren't sure you felt it at all to heavy and savage, to the point you might never /not/ bear the scars of its force.) The difference being, art has its power even when loneliness isn't around. Rather, feeling as though someone is petting on your spirit will erase loneliness, for where such intimacy exists, loneliness cannot. ..except I don't much believe in souls, either, yet it's the nearest words I've got for what I mean. Maybe art is simply magic, and anyone trying to divine its intrinsic definition is bound to come away looking foolish? >.> But 'til I read that, I'm not sure I ever realized art and loneliness seldom mix. That's going to give me something to gnaw on for years to come, I expect. For that, I thank you. ^.^

[@coreyjameswood]

This video right here. THIS... Is why I subscribed to you so long ago. There are countless D&D channels out there that discuss the mechanics and "What best to play as" and recaps of recent races/subclasses/rules... But not many touch on the roleplay... The ART of storytelling, quite like you do Jay. Because at the end of the day, to me at least, Dungeons and Dragons is about a group of people connecting. That's why we feel when we see certain movies or read certain books, or even listen to specific songs. It's about that connection, that feeling that "You're not alone." Someone... SomeTHING... Out there understands you. Thank you for this video Jay. You are special and I for one am so glad we've connected on this platform.

[@Lngbrdninjamasta]

Sam is def the 🐏 of this battle! I cried when he cried. And now ur video has made me cry again 😭

[@PlayYourRole]

I don't even wanna talk about how many times I cried editing it too

[@FFKonoko]

Do you mean 🐐 ? Cos that looks to be a ram...

[@sunnyketchup]

i sobbed so many times during the last few episodes of c1😭

[@ghostchannel4766]

"Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable"-Caesar A. Cruz

[@EilonwyG]

That part still hurts my heart. Don't worry, I'm crying too, so you're not alone. The part that kills me is Sam asking Liam on their podcast - what is the worst character he can play. That character...he saved the world. He just had to give up on saving his friend to do it. The hardest choice anyone could make. Doesn't matter if it wasn't real - the emotions were real, the love at that table was real. And it effected all of us. Thank you Sam and Liam.

[@Hey-Its-Dingo]

I SO look forward to seeing the anguish on Scanlan's face as he has to use the last of his magic to stop The Whispered One, preventing him from having the magical energy he needs to Wish for Vax's freedom animated in loving detail by Titmouse. 💔

[@Mister_Mag00]

the look on matt's face is almost as sad, matt knew of sams potential plans and relized what happened

[@ryangentry2003]

I genuinely hope the show can do this moment justice. It has many times given the original the justice it deserves, but this moment is much more than just a game.

[@padenbang7375]

The show is so much different though. During the campaign, we know how close Sam and Liam are. It colors our perspective for the moment and adds an emotional layer. Scanlon and Vax are close, but not nearly as close in the animated show. They just don't take the time to flesh out characters that thoroughly. I feel like it just won't have the same impact. Just my thoughts

[@timemonkey]

@@padenbang7375 I think it'll depend on how they handle a few events leading up to it. While Scanlan and Vax may not be best friends like Sam and Liam it's still on the table to establish that Scanlan sees the member sof the team as family and that he's desperate to not lose any of them.

[@isaiahwelch8066]

For me, what Sam did was the epitome of the following: "For no man has greater love than this, than he that would lay down his life for his friends." There is no other way to explain what Sam gave up when he used Counterspell at level 9.

[@Theroha]

More than that. It's also: "A hero will sacrifice his friends to save the world. A villain will sacrifice the world to save his friends."

[@chriskuhn6130]

My name is Norman "Skip" Takamori. Right on.

[@sigmata0]

I think the success of CR is primarily the display of friendship between all the players. We get to absorb it osmotically while being entertained by the game play. You've picked a particular instance but the whole series is a homage to friendship at play.

[@MasumiSeike]

The fact that Matt was the only person in that room that knew what Sam would try simply because Sam asked him if it was even possible and he was told with careful words, Wish is a Wish. You see how Matt's face drops, how he realizes what Sam just sacrificed to give them all this chance. And both just stay quiet for a moment looking at each other, before the game continues.. before life continues without a second chance C1 and C2 have a very interesting component that both have in common. A friend died, and they tried their best. But in the end it wasn't the same approach. Vox Machina fought a god, one was ready to fight two. In the end it was one life for many. Might Nein fought something near demi god, and they were ready to break the world for a friend to be brought back. Nothing could set them more apart than this. While their situations were similar the struggle they went through was not.

[@Majora48]

A big part of this was Liam’s connection to his character because of his struggles at that time in his real life. It’s so genuine

[@SavveGaming]

“A hero will sacrifice you to save the world, a villain will sacrifice the world to save you.”

[@mareneaufrance5096]

This is why I love watching Critical Role. They're not only actors but they're friends. It doesn't matter if there is a script or an idea how to play it out. We get to see the raw emotion. When new actors are added in, Robbie Daymond, we get to see another friendship grow. I don't know how long they knew each other in irl, but this is one of my favorite campaigns.

[@mudpie6927]

It's even stronger when you know that even after that he still found a way to at least bring him back for the wedding

[@foxtoxic9722]

I'm gonna try to add some levity here. Joe, the big guy next to Sam, is distracted while all this is going down, I think he was gluing a broken mini fig back together or something. But when he looks over and notices Sam crying next to him he gets this look on his face like, "oh no. What did I miss." I don't know why but amidst all the drama the look of confusion on his face just gives me a little chuckle every time.

[@elbruces]

He was also doing a similar level of mental gymnastics to calculate what would need to happen for him to pull off his own big gambit soon, which is why he seemed like he was in his own little world towards the end.

[@foxtoxic9722]

@@elbruces yea that's right. He had is eye on the hand. Lol

[@neonom1024]

hand-eye coordination, you might say... @@foxtoxic9722

[@user-jt1js5mr3f]

My wife is watching C1 for the first time and she is on the cusp of the final episode. I'm so nervous and excited for her.

[@elizabethcarver6661]

A subtle beautiful moment was their guest Joe who was very touched by their heartfelt reaction to this and he scans the table and very quietly and sincerely says"wow you guys really love dnd"

[@JnEricsonx]

And then.........the axe drops.

[@McSomething15]

​@@JnEricsonxtoo soon

[@jamie_d0g978]

The fact that the guy who created a whole back story of a character to make a sex joke it's thevsame guy that make me cry about a role play game stream it's absolutely fantastic

[@michaelhampton1724]

I think when they animate this for the show. They should have scanlan, when he casts the last counterspell say "I am sorry Vax"

[@MrNiveko7]

Matt's face says everything when Sam said lvl 9.

[@joeciavarini9508]

Wow, what a wonderfully heartfelt video. Thank you Jay for being vulnerable to us. I do not think you getting teary eyed is ridiculous. I have been playing DnD with friends since 1979, and I have felt the connection you feel. A wise person once told me, that in the face of pure true beauty, humans can do nothing but weep with joy. You experienced pure beauty, and the results show themselves in this video. Well done sir, bravo

[@BWWWAAALORDOFDUCKS]

I watched this at work, and I started tearing up. I haven't even seen a single episode of theirs.

[@SingingSealRiana]

Same, Sam plays the comedic relief so he can absolutely murder our hearts .... He is so fucking good at playing the heartstrings... He made me cry so hard

[@pyresti]

Don't ever feel bad about your emotions. It means you care and it lets you enjoy and care about life good and bad. You would not want to be any other way when you think about it. I wish everyone would allow themselves to just feel. We would all be happier.

[@GeeGe.]

I felt pretty much the same watching this video. Speaking as someone who has a lot of difficulty crying and being emotionally vulnerable in general, I hope he realizes soon (maybe it's already happened!) that there's nothing ridiculous about this video or showing emotion.

[@C._Bradford]

"I have a tendancy to get really focused on what I'm doing and just not eat" most ADHD sentance I've ever heard.

[@PlayYourRole]

Hahaha I'm not diagnosed let me live in ignorance

[@CufflinksAndChuckles]

I experienced one of these moments from afar. I was the DM of a campaign where a player really loved an NPC. When that beloved NPC died he had to leave for a couple minutes. We all assumed he had to take a call or a bathroom break. When the session ended he told me that my NPC was basically a carbon copy of his estranged brother who was separated from him when they were adopted by different sets of parents. They had reunited after 10 or so years but had an argument maybe a couple months before the NPC died. He told me that he’d been worrying about his brother who went dark and had also admitted that he didn’t even remember what they were fighting about in the first place. I am thankful that ttrpg’s could give people a form of therapy and healing for those who seek it.

[@TheAprone]

Years ago, before I knew how the rest of the world would react to this moment in Critical Role, I ugly cried over this. My wife didn't watch the show and had no idea what in the world was wrong, but it broke me in a way normal films and shows just can't... because this was real. Obviously the fantasy stuff in the game isn't real, but Sam trying to save his friend Liam certainly was. At the time I remember trying to explain why I was crying, and my voice wouldn't cooperate, and I remember apologizing once I got ahold of myself. Haha, she must have been SO confused the entire time! I wonder how Sam looks back at that moment. If you set aside time and location for a minute, in his genuine moment of sadness he had tens (possibly hundreds) of thousands of people crying along with him. The fact that someone sees it for the first time tomorrow and tears up makes little difference. How many people in all the world have really been in that situation. I bet it's a short list.

[@rosebythecreek]

"Art is the absence of loneliness." Well put. That's going to stay in my heart for a long time. Thank you.

[@oediaxl]

Every time, man. Every time this gets me. I mean if you get to that point you've been watching the campaign for 400 hours, plus all the extra bits and interviews and cons you've probably seen them all at. You understood that they were actually all very good friends who are invested in each other's lives and happiness. It's not as common as it should be to have a large group of genuine friends like that. There were parts of that campaign that were absolutely amazing. I never imagined I would be on the edge of my seat watching someone play D&D, but they did that. Honestly, the way that campaign stuck the landing was unequaled in any scripted series I've ever seen, and the fact it was done seat of the pants like that is a testament to the trust and respect they all have for each other's choices.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

Every fan I've ever seen reminded of this moment...water works. We were never be over Scanlan's Gambit.

[@Garrett236]

Matt Colville did an amazing breakdown of this fight and its emotional gravitas. At 12:15, when Liam says, "I'm not sorry," you hear a noise shortly after. I didn't hear it until Colville's breakdown. It's the sound of Sam crying out in pain and mental anguish.

[@ColtNomad]

Okay one ammendment I have about this video I'd like to make. Vax wasn't a dead man walking when Vex died and offered himself in her place. That was when he became her champion. It was when Vecna disintegrated Vax that the Raven Queen gave him another chance to stop Vecna. He became a temporary Revenant to stop Vecna and once Vecna was stopped, Vax would pass on to the afterlife.

[@NinjaWLOG]

Aren't we all just dead people walking?

[@GoldnDusty]

@@NinjaWLOGNot revenant “dead man walking” we’re not.

[@bgomezLLC]

It’s hard when you see someone try so hard because you want their efforts to not be in vain; and it is more emotional when it doesn’t work out.

[@az_junior]

I saw a short clip of this moment and cried without knowing any context, then I went and watched the entire campaign just to see it happen. That was beautiful

[@ridiculousboots9368]

"It's funny how I'm tearing up this moment" *me also tearing up*

[@hpsladyamaunetbastet7621]

The confusion in Joe Manganiello struck me, you can hear him saying "Is he crying?" and that's actually when it brought the moment into focus. I was lucky enough to watch this live.

[@2009natman]

I would love to see that moment put into the show (assuming the show goes that far) set as an unspoken heartbreak as scanman looks to vax with nothing but pain and sorrow, then to vecna with determination as he channels everything he has into one last counterspell.

[@carlycchapman]

I mean, Amazon greenlit a season 3 AND a Mighty Nein series, so I definitely think The Legend of Vox Machina will have at least 4 or 5 seasons.

[@Komskorner]

I don't think I cried more at anything else (Even during the wedding scene) than at this action with Sam... that's a true friend

[@giudalberto]

I believe that this moment, its intensity, has not been reached in each of the following campaign also. And I don't know if it could be topped at least in my perception. Great, immense! And thank you for your tears and for getting mine out also 😊

[@thenamejenny]

M9 had amazing emotional moments through the story but not 100% like this. C1 was a present to Liam that they luckily began broadcasting. It was the first game for I believe everyone except Matt Tal and Liam. M9- blueberry cupcake. Dinner with Trent and what everyone said and did in defense of Caleb, esp Cadueces' words. The traveller being with Jesters in her coat the whole time. Essek reveal "have you tried friends?" and later sacrifices his long elven unconsecuted life for them. C3 is good af and especially rn

[@giudalberto]

@@thenamejenny i agree: plenty of moments, but I struggle to find some as powerful as this one. The 3rd campaign is quite something, but I'm not quite taken by the plot...it's hard to follow the emotional thread... too much meat cooking for my taste :)

[@padenbang7375]

This is probably my single favorite moment in all of CR. Not only is it impactful for the narrative, but on a personal level. Sam and Liam's journey as friends and players, and having been the reason the game was started. The genuine emotion they show as best friends in a moment where everything has led to this 1 battle, 1 moment, 1 spell. The duality of their personal feelings and that of their characters, is so real. Not them putting it on because the cameras are rolling. Just 2 friends being friends. Having a friend that close isn't something we all get to experience. Special moment

[@smeekings]

Thank you for this video. I cried too. Beautifully articulated thoughts on how group role play can create human connection.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

I totally understand your reaction, and your explanation of art absolutely impacted me. A damn fine video, brother.

[@sethchapman1425]

Never let rules ruin the game. My humble opinion.

[@calypso6889]

You described this moment and this feeling perfectly!! I really appreciated you for being able to show your own vulnerability and emotion through this video because I feel it the same way, it’s ridiculous to cry about this but it’s an amazing feeling

[@katlero28]

Actual plays and their prophetic dice rolls are the closest I’ve come to believing in a higher power. I cannot not believe something is driving these random rolls and the perfect moments in so many different actual plays.

[@LinesDrawn]

I want to give you the truth, in why I watch Critical Role and have watched, EVERYTHING they have created. It started with a huge interest in D&D, but the cast of CR and how they “perform” with one another..that is what has kept me entranced for so many years. The laughter, the tears. I watch..for those moments. Between The Sheets with Brian W. Foster is so worth watching, to get a deep dive into those relationships and where they came from. Wonderful video, and don’t be ashamed of crying in front of others. It may make you feel vulnerable, but it also shows the real you, and that empathy and compassion for others is a selfless gift. ♥️ Love your work. 👌✊

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

When you talked about how often Critical Role threw out the rulebook, I kept thinking "The rules in D&D are more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules." LOL. But it ain't like that in real life!

[@MuzicLvr7]

I can't say anything more than thank you for making this video...I always get teary eyed when I see this scene. You broke it down PERFECTLY.

[@GDouble3K]

stop making me cry, im glad i followed you love these in depth recaps

[@trevorwilliams6362]

Your take on how to recognize art is beautiful! I'm (maybe weirdly) hopeful that a.i. can learn to meet that requirement some day.

[@katemoon1594]

Quickly becoming a fan of your authenticity & honesty. Thank you for creating something genuine.

[@SuPeRNinJaRed]

Truly beautiful stuff. Reminds me when me and a group of friends from work started a DnD group (well technically Pathfinder) but one of the guys was a DM so to make his day we all agreed to play a session, like most (I’m sure) we started jokingly with our characters (so I don’t hold it against Sam for starting off that way, I think when you are unsure of yourself as a player you deflect and use jokes to cover a little bit) but I have to say after a few sessions we were hooked and honestly over the next 7 months we were completely serious and wholeheartedly invested in our characters, each other and the campaign (we were playing Red Hand of Doom modified for Pathfinder and extended far beyond because we just wanted to keep playing) it was a magical time and one of my favorite things was the guy that was most reluctant to play (a big jock type) ended up being the biggest fan (he had no idea what rpgs were and the rest of us had the video game concepts) but the greatest part and (tl;dr) what is so amazingly captured by Sam and Liam is you aren’t just playing a character in DnD (or TTRPGs) you are playing a part of yourself, in my experience and what I loved so much was once we got past the initial goofing around and let our imagination be taken to this other world it really was just us being ourselves but elevated, to a fantastical level. It is as you have said the connection that makes these games incredible and nothing else is quite like it. When you can be you but killing goblins too!

[@cheesy_87]

This was a beautiful video. I also teared up when this moment happened - when I watched it the first time, the second time, and when I seen it in this video as well. Your words and your genuine emotion made this even more touching and special

[@bro_nobro]

Great video! The only thing I'd add is the fact that while Liam and Sam were integral to Critical Role. The real reason Critical Role is what it is today is because Felicia Day wanted a DnD segment for Geek and Sundry and got in contact with the group via Ashley Johnson.

[@punkrockpearl84]

This may be your best video. Thanks, I'm crying. The emotional rollercoaster C1 was...and the fact that it started from a silly, humble birthday game, never ceases to amaze me. But then you add in the fact that the whole group, the whole channel, the whole company is based on these deeply personal connections. Every person in the cast seems to be earnest about KEEPING the game pure, based on this deeply loving, caring friendship they have with each other. They have stayed committed for just 8 years now (streaming), to not only keeping THEIR group and their brand strong, but they actively connect with others in the same space, reaching out to help people they don't even know for charity, to boost someone else or something else that needs it. When they risk their reputation, their money, and that hurts part of the community, they have stepped away, breaking ties or donating money to a good cause. They don't have to do this. They have choices to make, and they get bigger all the time, but to see that there are times when they could have easily taken money and didn't, or they could have stayed quiet and they didn't is frankly amazing. They could have walked away at any time. This could have stayed a home game, and they could always go back to just that. I appreciate every minute I get to see. Like you said, it's not the rolls or the mechanics of the game that keep me coming back, even though it made me confident enough in the system and the lore of the world to be able to start GMing my own group; it's seeing the friendship and being able to feel something I hope my own players feel that keeps me engaged. Every group should be so lucky to have this feeling of belonging. The shared memories of something that only your group really knows about, being able to reminisce about it with them? Finding new friends who you can really be yourself around & revel in unmasking your full, awkward nerd? One of the best feelings.

[@eliasneris2612]

There’s several moments like that in campaign 1 that I really didn’t feel in campaign 2. While I enjoyed c2 for me it wasn’t as emotional as c1. Grog saying fix him still gets me teary eye. Made me teary just writing this.

[@PokeJoshNY]

god all the resurrection rituals in c1 were tearjerkers. Grog's speech and song for Scanlan, Vex's heart-to-heart with Percy, and of course not to mention Vax's bargain to save Vex which becomes so much more heartbreaking when you know what Liam was going through in that moment.

[@Drekromancer]

@@PokeJoshNY What was the context?

[@GeldarionTFS]

@@Drekromancer His mom died of cancer. Like *right* before Vex died in-game, within a month.

[@canibus82]

I feel the same way. I was alot more emotionally invested in campaign 1 then I was in campaign 2 or have been in C3. The resurrection ritual for Percy caught me completely off guard and was a blubbering mess. I went to my friend who got me into it and said "you didn't tell me I was gonna cry" and he immediately knew I had gotten to that episode. Then when Scanlon died I was in tears again. Don't get me wrong I loved C2 and have really been enjoying C3 but they just haven't lived up to the magic of C1.

[@Dracon350]

it definitely feels like they learned from c1, and thus why we don't see as many emotional gut punches in the other campaigns. hell, in C2, they went the entire campaign with two of the party members avoiding death entirely, and two of the five who did die only did so at the second to last episode. in total, c1 had 13 deaths, with Vex having the most (3 times), Scanlan, Grog, Vax, and Percy all died twice each, and Pike and Keyleth both died once (Pike's was pre-stream). 14 if you include Vax's final goodbye, 15/14 if you include Vex's death in Dalen's Closet. c2, in contrast, had 6 deaths, and none of the characters died more than once. also also, the 1st campaign lasted ~5 years. these guys were very intimate with their characters, hell, you could argue some of them WERE their characters. Keyleth was just Marisha with emphasized anxiety, Scanlan was just Sam, etc. it's a lot easier to bring out these feelings when the characters are essentially you but with a specific detail heightened. like, it's harder, i imagine, for Sam to step into the role of a polymorphed Goblin mom than it is to step into a depressed musician.

[@alexsmith9617]

Bravo! Well done! That you have done your research and have clearly spent hours analyzing the game and these players is blatantly obvious. My main Cudos to you are for your bravery in expressing your deep feelings about the game, these people and your own world view of life. I salute your courage , determination and valor. Again, Well Done 👍🏼

[@Logan_Baron]

I love listening back to Sam way back then asking incredulously "People do this?" amazed at the idea that people could take this thing seriously enough to play a full campaign, meeting up regularly. This thing that they ended up making a career out of, that they do weekly, that they've done not just for a full campaign, but for 3 campaigns.

[@dannysanchez9140]

Didn’t understand how profound that moment was before, that’s just gut-wrenching.

[@AlunKahul]

To me what makes this moment so impactful is you can tell this was not just about the DnD characters. This was Sam (The Person) being genuinely sad about not being able to do this great thing he planned his Friend. And the raw true emotion of that shatters my heart every time I see it

[@randommixedletters]

Got this video thrown into my recommended thanks I think to a recent snippet video a few days ago where mat calls out his greatest 'how do you want to do this' moment. In that video, a comment brings up this moment, and while it wasn't what the question asked I agree with how impactful this moment was. Really looking back at it and seeing how much he fought for the future where 'he got to save his friend'. Creating a Simulacrum that could cast the wish if he couldn't, saving every one of his spell slots and holding on to his 9th like his life depended on it, Unseen Servant as stated for an added bit of cush. Watching every single one of those options fall away, seeing something only he still has the power to stop occur, how if he doesn't the world if forfeit. But how he only has the power to stop it because he hasn't been trying as hard as he could, because he so, so badly wanted to save his friend. And he couldn't...if just a few things where different, if the simulacrum lived a bit longer and got to do a few more counterspells so he didn't have to. If anyone else had just one thing up that would have allowed them to stop him instead of Scandlon. If the rolls had been good and Vecna had already been sealed before this moment could even occur. Everything went exactly wrong for this moment to occur, and especially with legends of Vox Machina giving more of a 'visual' to all the effects, I can see now in my minds eye the desperation, the 'slow down' effect as Vecna begins to teleport. Scandlon looking around, everyone desperately trying to do something but nobody capable. Nobody within range, nobody able to stop it. He knows he still has the strength, but his final gaze falls on Vax. He thinks about it, truly deliberates on it in this stretched out moment. Is the world worth it? Would it be better, if Vax got to stay, if the world fell because of it? But then a look back from Vax, the Half elf locking eyes with him. Looking past him to Kelith for just a moment, before looking back to Scandlon. Tears form at the bottom of his eyes, but he gives scandlon the smallest of nods. He knows, he knows, but it's more important she, and the entire world, gets to continue on, even if he isn't FULLY there to experience it. HE chose his fate, it was time for Scandlon to give the rest of the world the chance to choose there's. And the slow down ends, Scandlon erupts in a powerful, yet somber melody. His voice shooting like a dart to Vecna's cast, his arm recoiling with it's emotional sound as it's innate power falters and sputters out. And while the entire rest of Vox Machina rallies, charging forward with new found vigor and inspiration at Scandlon's final opening, the little nome can do nothing but fall to his knees. Completely exhausted now, spent, and emotionally destroyed, he weeps, watching as the rest of his friends finish the fight with the opening he gave to them. And knowing he can no longer pull his friend from his fated end with the matron of ravens. It all flows together in my minds eye, and while part of me really wishes it went differently, the fact it's so CLEAR and vivid pushes that away to really show that the 'right event' occurred. Though I'll still hope that campaign 3 is able to pull Vax out of it and 'free him' (not quite caught up yet on that so don't tell me! I'm at 111 ok!), but I still appreciate this moment for everything it was. And I already see in my recommended a video from you on his absolutely gut wrenching FCG moment that shattered my life for a good hour+, so I'll leave 'that being the only moment that I think can top it' for that video XD but yeah, this moment hurts, but in all the right ways. 'The best laid plans' as they can say, and when has anything Vox Machina ever planned out worked out as they envisioned?

[@lilylou4693]

I'll always cry at this scene. Always. You've put it beautifully. Thank you

[@domarvisais6178]

Jay, I have watched this video several times. I love this video, definitely one of your best.

[@lpres5419]

TP Burrow’s video on Sam’s gaming is the perfect prelude to this video - when I first watched it, I was only in the “early” eps of C1, but already spoiled, and it wasn’t until the 100s that I was absolutely on board with their internal monologue for Sam’s gameplay, exceptional commentary, yours and theirs.

[@jasonberezowski2869]

Thank you for this beautiful video man, you perfectly encapsulate everything I feel about Roleplaying, the community, art, and human emotion

[@sarahteter6310]

Sam says "9" and I burst into tears, every time.

[@caosisaac]

I went straight into mighty nein as soon as i finished cr1. Hearing them joke about all the nines they rolled and becoming the mighty nein hit me a bit different as i was still fresh off of sam's legendary "level 9". I know its not true but a part of me always felt the group named themselves that in cr2 just a little bit to honor that play and all the emotions behind it.

[@WarrioroftheWest7]

True art affects your emotions, it can bring sadness, joy, etc. My favorite art is books; when a character that you know and love dies you actually cry…and if they are resurrected you actually cry at the reunion of friends (Salvatore’s “The Companions” comes to mind). That’s the beauty of art. I’m not exactly a “Critter”, in that I don’t have the time to watch people play D&D several hours each week (though I do enjoy watching short “recap” videos like this…and I enjoy playing the game myself), but I understand the emotional attachment. This is clearly one of the most emotional moments, and it’s not just between characters but also between two real life friends. Art at it finest!

[@richardd3367]

5:30 "They're more like guidelines than actual rules."

[@zacharynyberg7007]

When people try to tell me C1 isn't nearly as good as the others: this moment...sums up the whole campaign into a emotional one punch man hit to the gut. I honestly haven't felt a single moment in C2 or ...well 3 had a interesting moment but I'll not spoil that is kind of close?. Mostly I haven't felt so connected to the characters and involved then I have with these guys.

[@anna8280]

I feel like it's even more devastating when you consider the characters they chose for the next campaign, how Nott/Veth talked about Caleb as her boy, someone she protects and cares for. I'm tearing up just typing this, ugh.

[@carlycchapman]

DUDE when we got the teaser for the Mighty Nein series and it used the quote, "He's MY BOY and I protect HIM!" I fucking lost it, bawling my eyes out

[@Demonamic777]

Sam: "People do this?" Lmao this poor boy had no idea.

[@FaerieWithAHalo]

Watching this video again after what Sam pulled recently just makes me cry even harder.

[@andalf_der_graue]

Wow great video man. I just recently got into D&D (not playing, just watching) and I feel like you touched on the essence of art and interacting with it.

[@TheWeldaman90]

You have my unconditional friendship right now. I've loved every moment of CR. I'm glad that we can share these emotions together. Much love Brother, and thank you. You're not alone.

[@ljayrichards3799]

So well put! I had the same reaction to the end of the campaign. You put my feelings and thoughts into words. This was the most emotional I've been since I began first watching critical role. So glad you made this video.

[@bessiehadley3497]

Thank you for this insight - I did not know all this & it explains so much of what I saw in the episode. Thank you so much; very touching.

[@DParkerNunya]

I had to put off watching this video because I knew it would hurt. This one moment hurts me on levels I never would have thought it could. Liam and Sam are two of the greatest storytellers I've ever seen, and their friendship shines through all of their interactions in the game. These two are my absolute favorites at the table, because every time one of them is in danger or hurting, you can see the other feeling it. They both play self sacrificing idiots because they care about everyone else so much. If you ever want an example of the reverse, there's a moment in C2 where Liam's character has to run before Sam's character can, which is a painful decision both in and out of character to make. Sam's character takes an attack of opportunity he didn't have to so that Laura's character can escape. And when they all learn that Sam's character got put on 1hp because of that after the fact, you can see Liam go through nearly every stage of grief at once. They both just care and their friendship is just the best.

[@Celestiaan]

Why must you hurt me this way? I came here to learn, not to feel. Lol

[@PlayYourRole]

BECAUSE WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LEARNING IF WE DO NOT USE IT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TO FEEL IN A BEAUTIFUL WORLD FULL OF FLEETING MOMENTS OF WONDER

[@christopherscotti4054]

I listened to this whole podcast and honestly it tore me up… the companionship they made during this adventure draws you in… I cried so much when this happened!

[@XanderAU_Quokka_M.D]

Cheers mate, you hit the nail on the head. I've never watched any of your videos before, but I just finished Vox Machina. Totally agree with everything you said, you're right. You nailed what that moment was for me, as someone who has actually teared up in a campaign, and as someone who was an outsider in that moment and simply watched the events unfold and all I can say is; you simple are right. So I've sub'd and left a like, I think someone that gets it, deserves at least a sub and a like.

[@surlynem9470]

It's moments like this that you highlighted that made me fall in love with this game and especially Critical Role, the cast has brought me to tears so many times over the years, and the stories they tell are just simply beautiful.

[@searchforsecretdoors]

I love this video. And you have also grown so much since the old days of showing your 3D printer in action. You have put yourself out there in a much more human way as well. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@christopherbartlett4285]

Yes this! I am about to teach a class on writing the other, and everything you've said here tracks with the importance of these seemingly meaningless but ultimately pivotal games we play and stories we tell. "Art is the absence of loneliness" is one of the best definitions I've ever heard. Thank you for doing this hard thing for the world. It's art, and you're not alone.

[@ColieBear18]

This is actually the first moment I saw from critical role and it hit me so hard it made me watch the whole campaign. This moment devastates me every time.