How To Start Watching Critical Role in 2023

Not at ALL mentioned during the video, but if you don't have Amazon Prime and want to watch Legend of Vox Machina, I have al ink for 30 days of Amazon Prime for $3! If you use my link, you'll be helping out my channel, too, so I can keep making awesome videos like this! Thanks! #ad www.amazon.com/gp/video/primesignup?ref_=assoc_tag_ph_1402131641212&_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=pf4&tag=thegingerword-20&linkId=f20af2abea257542478b18cb79d32a7b

[@elijaaaah]

I started watching campaign 1 from episode 27 because i really struggled watching orion and i’ve managed to get a full grasp of what’s going on in the plot and such, so if you don’t want to watch orion then you can just watch from the point he leaves

This is ALSO a path that I suggest going in. But tackling an episode that includes Orion requires… more nuance and time. But this is a VERY good suggestion! I’m glad that taking it in from that point doesn’t leVe many holes in the plot for you. This is important data, thank you friend!

[@part3dio35]

Orion was a problem player, everyone knows that. But I still wanted to start in ep 1, even tho he was a problem player he still played tiberus well, I really liked tiberius as a character even tho orion played him out as if he was the Mc in some moments, but he was still still badass in his own right.

[@SunshineMomo]

When the season 1 of Vox Machina aired last year, it was actually my first intro to Critical Role and I'm so glad it was because I had heard of CR before the animated series aired but I had very little interest to check it out as I had very little interest in DnD at the time. Now I'm at a point where I've seen all the one shots, caught up with campaign 3, watch all the the Exandria and Calamity episodes, watched 70% of campaign 2 and maybe 60% of campaign 1. Plus I also bought books to eventually play DnD. It's been a wild year ✌

[@jconner78]

I started with all of the Amazon shows now I’ve moved on to The Might Nein and holy crap I love Jester I will eventually listen to everything but great advice!

WOOOOOOO! I’m glad this is working for you! Yaaaaaay!

[@LydiaTereK]

I started from the beginning of C1 knowing about the technological and pacing issues, because missing out on inside jokes and references are worse to me. But it was from a time where I had a lot of freedom. So I appreciate your recommendations for people who are restricted by time but still wanna catch up on the campaigns

Yay! Im glad that it worked out for you! I feel like that’s true for a lot of people. The inside jokes make you feel like you’re more part of it! I’m working on a video about that, now, actually! The inside jokes, where they came from and how to find them!

[@DreadFool]

I'm currently bingeing the campaign 2 couple of days ago. Im on ep16. I love the amazing the story and secrets. Cant wait for the animated series of Mighty Nein. Wanna see my men Pumats.

PUMAAAAAAAAAT! The hype level I have for Pumat is… over 9000. May the force be with you on your watch through! I’m so excited for you!

[@Uberco]

I started with campaign 2 and got about 15 eps in before I realized I was missing a lot of references and inside jokes to the first campaign that the players would get excited about. I wanted in on that so I paused and started campaign 1 from the beginning suffering through the bad audio at the start and I’m glad I did. Campaign 2 was better for me once I could continued it.

[@savingpyro]

Let's be real, EXU was the Ash-holes. Sure they settled on Crown keepers, but Orym knew exactly what they really wanted🤣

I FORGOT ABOUT THE ASH HOLES! YYESSSSSSS! I need to rewatch EXU

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

I totally agree that TLOVM is probably the easiest entry point for most people at this point. However, I'm also fond of reminding people to check out the non-Exandrian *one-shots and miniseries*, especially if they're finding the Actual Play format hard to follow at first. For me, it was actually Dimension 20's Escape From the Bloodkeep that made the medium really click for me - becuase I already knew the world and story that was being parodied (LOTR), so I had some guideposts to lean on while I got used to the way TTRPGs construct a story. So if someone's a big fan of say Elden Ring, or Alien-style space horror, or WoW, or MLP:FiM... Starting with the corresponding one-shot might be the path of least resistance. :)

That’s a really good suggestion! Especially since Dimension 20 edits out the awkward rule search moments! It can really bog down the entertainment as a whole to have those in

[@chipmunkmane]

Thank you, this helped so much!

[@part3dio35]

Is it neccecary to watch the other campaigns before going from campaign 1 to 2 or to 3?

If you've already watched Legend of Vox Machina up to Season 2, there may still be some gaps in knowledge for Campaign 3. Campaign 3 references C1 and C2 HEAVILY. So what I would do is wait for the rest of Legend of Vox Machina to air and watch Campaign 2 in the meantime. But if you're excited to go and watch C1 DIVE IN! It is about 400 hours of content for just C1, but so worth it! All up to you and what amount of time you feel you can dedicate at this time! Have so much fun!

[@sertaki]

And people say the MCU is long! 😆

Oooooh. That would be a FASCINATING infographic to make….

[@lostmysticks]

I'm a Dimension20 fan coming over to the Critical Role side for the first time. I loved what Matt did with Brennan's world in Ravening War and have seen a ton of critical role clips. This makes it so much easier to jump in. Thanks!

I’m so glad this helps! I know it’s VERY daunting. I like how d20 breaks theirs into seasons! It makes the series feel less intimidating. 😅

[@floressikristine]

Not to mention Talks Machina when you feel like you want to understand the whys and feed your curiosity of the characters

Talks Machina is a completely different barrel of monkeys on acid. Maybe someday we will tackle those. 😂🫠

[@JanaMcHeidy]

Here I am... nooby critter starting CR with Bells Hells, and up until now (I'm at Episode 26) I put of all the other stuff for "until I'm caught up"

FRIEND! If this is the path that feels correct to you… then this is the way. I’m so excited for you to expect the campaigns! WHEEEEEE! Have so much fun!

[@gerickjesiyabut5988]

I started from the beginning of campaign 1 middle of last year and I really enjoyed that I started there. Not only did I see how the characters grew and the story develop, but I also got to see how critical role itself grew as this small time stream to arguably the best DnD stream.

That’s awesome! I’m glad you were able to just dive in and enjoy it! That’s not a care free “let’s go with it” stance that some people have, and the fact that you did it is a testament to your patience and ability to just INVEST. We love! Hope the rest of your watch through goes well!

[@Pearlem]

Favorite is exu calamity, favorite main campaign is c2 because you love Caleb and Beau? You’re one of my people

[@part3dio35]

Its funny that i doscovered critical role and my love for dnd by just watching the legends of vox machina cus i was bored

DUUUDE! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it!

[@StormRinger47]

Would it be weird to watch Campaign 2, then EXU and Calamity, Campaign 3, Kymal, and then get caught up on Campaign 3 and THEN go back to Campaign 1 between new episodes of Campaign 3? Because that's what I'm considering right now. I've finished The Mighty Nein and I loved it. I am now 10 episode into Vox Machina and STRUGGLING to stay invested.

[@Ch0c0latMilkMan]

catch up on campaign 3 and wait for the campaign 1 and 2 animated series as vox machina is already being animated and the mighty nein comes out later this year

I mean? You could? But I feel like C3 references VM too much and new viewers could be lost.

[@Ch0c0latMilkMan]

@ are the references really worth watching a few hundred hours? thats a big ask for most people. just think the series will streamline it.

[@acrostice]

@ Yeah I've just caught up on C3 without watching any of the others, the Wiki has been my best friend but I wish I watched the animated series first!

oooooof! But I’m glad the wiki is there! The critter community is so good at getting information out there for new critters! Hope the rest of your watch through is fun and awesome!

The references will NOT be worth it for MANY people. And that’s okay! That’s why it’s all open for interpretation