The Best DnD Player Hacks

Learn 4 different Tips the DnD Players of #criticalrole and #dimension20 use to keep their tables having fun and keep them coming back for more. We take a look at Brian "Murph" Murphy, Marisha Ray, Travis Willingham and Siobhan Thompson to see how they play their Dungeons and Dragons characters.
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CastleCaster Video: • Siobhan Thompson is a ...

[@feitocomfruta]

Travis is an Investor as Chetney in this campaign because he’s invested in his friends. Chetney has been around for centuries, is extremely irreverent and silly, but he’s been the one everyone has told first about their relationships (Orym and Will, FCG and FRIDA, and Imogen and Laudna). It’s because they all know he’s not going to judge them, as what grounds they could judge him on are also pretty wild. The cast has even said it during 4 Sided Dive that it’s their favorite thing about Travis as a player, because as goofy as he acts, he’s also very observant and very deep.

[@markfrellips5633]

I feel like this is interesting as you're attaching some vocational names for some great habits that are better explored in the principles of improv, direction, and acting. I think the only aspect that you've touched on is Travis' cheerleading at tables for the actions of the other players. It's more commonly referred to as cheerleading, just being extremely supportive of other players.

[@thepsychicgaymer9888]

Going through and watching a BUNCH of videos getting ready to be a first time DM to learn more from and about player archetypes and the like. It's interesting to see words being put to certain play styles cos in my KupoQuest, it was built from the start and still advertised as a Final Fantasy inspired D&D campaign and us players made characters around that. Which always reminds me of one of our party members Ava, who has multiclassed like 5 times, Quiet and get's around in a rogue like fashion while primarily playing a Monk. And he's absolutely terrifyingly amazing. Having been able to think about and act on ideas and morals the rest of us could only half remember or do. Creating something in every town and city we visit to leave his mark without it being obvious or taking over a narrative or just being an incredible player understanding what he can do. Ava is an incredible character and his player is just so poised and ready for anything. And another awesome character Izzy fits the Immersion term to a T. The player has a Google doc just filled with different ways he pronounces and casts spells. The hand movements needed, how Izzy can change the way the spell is intended to work but still fits so easily into what they do. I have learnt so much from this as it was my first campaign I've ever been a part of and it's still going but like honestly. Izzy and Ava have stood out as two players I look up to and admire so much that I wish I could do or be more for them as a player.

[@leslyogden]

Siobhan was hysterical on the latest Dimension 20 campaign, Mentopolis. All the players created their characters for this specific setting (inside the mind), but I thoroughly enjoyed her as Imelda Pulse and all the tropes that came with that type of character.

[@heartoffire5902]

I love these videos of yours, man. They're superb. Especially with that perfect balance of detail and conciseness.

[@BonusAction]

Thankyou! Its a lot of fun making these!

[@ben5676755]

I really love the player side of your videos. DM'd a couple one shots now, but still the newbie with my main group (only 1.5 years in). Loving these kind of vids, because they give me inspiration for new character motives.

[@FreelancerLA]

Very insightful! Love these player deep dives!

[@BonusAction]

Thankyou! I enjoy creating them!

[@pdubb9754]

I just watched Matt described the initial attack of the Chroma Conclave in campaign 1. His body language totally got him in the mood and no doubt helped put all the players at the table into panic mode.

[@mentalrebllion1270]

Love it! Personally I throw together a playlist which I turn on an hour, maybe half hour, before game time as I get ready (online games) so I can more easily slip into character. I also love a good talk with everyone during casual above board chatting time (before, during break, or after) and talking about our characters. Let’s us air things out. Actually did this in a game a few days ago where we discussed the rival party we were trying to befriend and which of the members our characters felt positively for. Which also gave me a surprise (and table laughed at me for it) of realizing my character had a crush and wasn’t aware of it…..and it was for the least likely of the party anyone expected him to! Anyway, I love moments like those. You really only get them if you have a good grasp on your character’s mentality and moments like that remind me that I’m doing a good job. Seriously, oblivious character with a crush is like best trope lol. Anyway, as far as my type I feel I’m a mix of Travis and Siobhan, maybe a drop of Marisha’s style. I absolutely love lore and am the one who does that and I love the collaboration and listen to the stories play out that is honestly SO much fun. The collaborative aspect and story telling mean a lot to me in a game. But as for Siobhan’s style, I’m very much the type to throw together a character that is tailored to the world and the party itself. I fish a lot when setting on finding themes between various other players and their backstories and and also fishing for lore I can snag ahead of time from the dm, basically use whatever I can to make a character that feels like they are from that world. Even the few times I was tasked with a creating from a combo that seems wildly out of place, I’ve found a way to make it work by doing it this way. It’s just a lot of fun!

[@mikemckinney7031]

I'm a little bit Progressor, a little bit Investor, and a lot of note taker. Every once and a while I have a few clever moments of immerser, or so I think I'm clever at that moment. My friends would probably describe me as cheesy, but I'll take that too.

[@ChandlerFaye]

I would also classify Travis and Ashley as Instigators in C3, especially Travis. He's forever looking for opportunities to stir the pot and get Bell's Hells into mischief, and Ashley does too in her own right, but I feel like she's superb at taking the bait he offers up. Just magic and mayhem whenever possible.

[@stevenshipway3819]

Would you ever consider talking about the Oxventure? I think they're the biggest DnD group in the UK. They play on stage at comicons and other conversations and they've been playing with the same characters for 6 years. Johnny Chioddini deserves a lot of respect for putting up with their shenanigans!

[@BonusAction]

I would! I need to research them a lot more though!

[@stevenshipway3819]

@@BonusAction If it helps I think a recent session called Squid Pro Quo is an excellent example of them and how quickly things go off the rails but Johnny adapts.

[@ChandlerFaye]

Marisha Ray my beloved! A role model and an inspiration. Thank you for giving her well deserved flowers.

[@grimmtales503]

The production skill on these videos is insane. Dammit. So depressing to watch. Did you go to film school? I should really quit at KZbin. Thanks though? Great video. You have lots of skill and so many views / subs after just a handful of videos. Well done?

[@BonusAction]

Thank you! But I can not take all the credit, I think the views come more from me talking about beloved people in the DnD space more than anything. (I did go to film school though it was a long time ago).

[@grimmtales503]

@@BonusAction ha, i KNEW it. So amazingly professional. And yes, i see you target the Big Names and it really works. It also helps that your analysis is very accurate and extremely relatable to your target group. This is your trio. You also did other kinds of videos and must have been surprised to watch viewership enthusiasm was lackluster.

[@haiautran6292]

Why on earth was Marisha Ray included in the video…?

[@TheBriguy1998]

I known, right? As much as she can do some decent roleplaying and be fun at the table, she really is just eclipsed by the sheer talent of practically everyone else on Critical Role. I think people like to give Marisha "pity praise" because she doesn't get as much positive attention as everyone else and has a lot of hater, but you should really be putting the spotlight on others who do the same things she does, just much better, if you're trying genuinely to set a good example for players.

[@CatTerrist]

You mean .... because she is a great example of what the dude wanted to example?