Hey so I want to get started on Critical Role but I'm not really sure where the best jumping on point is. Where did you start?
That's a good question! It GREATLY depends on what sort of watcher/listener you are.
Currently, the entire Critical Role content machine has 3 main campaigns.
The first one was started before they were a full on company, and is therefore rough around the edges. The second campaign was much more well rounded, and is well beloved - and it is finished! The third is just getting started, and there aren't a lot of episodes for it yet.
I'll try to outline some of the things for you.
Campaign 1 - Vox Machina (115 episodes)
(YouTube link to the full playlist)
Reasons to start at campaign 1:
If you are a thorough lore-consuming vacuum that NEEDS to know things and doesn't mind throwing yourself headfirst into OVER 800 HOURS OF CONTENT you can start with Campaign 1.
It begins in the middle of the journey (because the campaign started BEFORE they began to stream it) and is therefore fast to get into the action. The characters are already established and get along, and there are tons of interesting dynamics.
Reasons to NOT start at campaign 1:
- It's rough around the edges - the audio quality sucks for a couple of episodes, the video quality ain't great right away, and their setup isn't the most conducive to the game.
- The actors themselves are also rough - they're not used to the streaming setup and do their best to maintain the feel of the home game, which means lots of inside jokes that may read as too crude or too-sexual for the audience. The characters are also basic archetypes, and although there IS depth to them, until you get to later episodes you may need to wait.
If you want to start Campaign 1 but are afraid of the rough edges, start at episode 24 (YouTube link) - it is the beginning of the Briarwood arc, a really good and engaging part of the early campaign that is much easier to roll with that early episodes.
...Or wait until Legends of Vox Machina (link) comes out and watch it as an animated series!
Campaign 2 - Mighty Nein (141 episodes)
(Link to YouTube Playlist)
Reasons to start at campaign 2:
The players are much more comfortable this time around! Their setup is great, and this is the story they’re probably the most well known for at this point.
The nuance of the characters comes through almost immediately, and the storyline is more intricate and wrought with morally grey choices! It’s a fucking banger.
Reasons to NOT start at campaign 2:
- The characters don’t all get along right away! They’re a ragtag team that comes together out of necessity, and it takes a while for them to gel, which means lots of drama within the party. It’s all in good fun, of course, and it’s an excellent show of sportsmanship amongst a group of friends who trust each other to act out entire arguments... but it can get a bit intense! If you’re really sensitive to this, it might bother you.
- If you want to stay in-the-know on current stuff without getting spoiled... it might be rough going (spoilers are unavoidable for this one, people cannot contain themselves in any form.)
Not sure what the compromise would be. I cannot really think of any part of this campaign that you want to miss.
Maybe others who are not quite as obsessed as I am with consuming all the content can recommend a good jump-in point. The idea of missing any of their beginnings gives me hives, though. I’ll abstain.
Campaign 3 - The current campaign, now airing
(YouTube Link to playlist)
I will admit, I don’t know about this campaign yet. I haven’t even started it myself! However, if you like to keep up to date and follow weekly installments, this is for you! It’ll continue to release 3 times a month, dice willing, and you can easily follow along with all the fanart and hype!
If you do not have the attention span nor the energy to slog through literally YEARS of story (and really, who would...?).... this may be your best bet!
- All the campaigns are set on the same WORLD but they are stand-alone stories. Although careful viewers will obviously pick up on hints and name-drops from previous campaigns, you don’t need to know anything about Campaign 1 to jump into Campaign 2, and vice versa!
The important thing is to follow your heart and have fun! As long as you’re not watching the episodes completely out of order... you’re probably not doing it wrong.
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