Is Critical Role Leaving D&D? Why is It Leaving D&D?
by A N Rahul
Updated May 18, 2023
Is Critical Role Leaving D&D?
As of now, Critical Role has not officially announced that they are leaving Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). However, there has been speculation among fans about the possibility of them exploring different systems. Matt Mercer, in a recent interview, mentioned that Critical Role is always open to exploring new ways to tell stories and new systems. This has led some fans to believe that Critical Role may be considering a departure from D&D in the future.
There are a few reasons why Critical Role might be interested in moving away from D&D. Firstly, D&D can be a complex system, which may pose challenges for new players. Secondly, as D&D is owned by Wizards of the Coast, Critical Role might want to maintain creative freedom without being tied to a specific publisher. Thirdly, Critical Role has already developed its own tabletop game system, the Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, indicating a potential desire to focus on its own system moving forward.
However, it is also important to note that D&D remains the most popular tabletop roleplaying game globally, with a dedicated and extensive fan base. Critical Role may choose to continue using D&D to reach a broad audience and leverage the game's popularity.
Only Critical Role knows their future plans, and they have not made any official announcements regarding their departure from D&D. Until they provide further clarity, speculation about their potential transition will likely persist among fans and the tabletop gaming community.
About Critical Role
Critical Role is a popular American web series featuring professional voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons. The show initially started streaming in March 2015 during the cast's first campaign. The first campaign concluded in October 2017 after 115 episodes, and the second campaign began in January 2018 and concluded in June 2021 after 141 episodes. In between the two campaigns, several one-shot episodes were aired.
The show follows an ongoing storyline with the cast members portraying characters in the fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons. Matthew Mercer, a renowned voice actor, serves as the Dungeon Master, guiding the narrative and creating the world for the players.
Before the show officially started, the cast began their first campaign as a one-off game for Liam O'Brien's birthday, using a simplified version of the Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition rules. The players enjoyed the experience so much that they decided to continue playing and eventually switched to the Pathfinder ruleset.
After completing the second campaign, a spin-off limited series called Exandria Unlimited aired from June to August 2021. The third campaign of Critical Role premiered on October 21, 2021, continuing the tradition of captivating storytelling and immersive roleplaying.
Critical Role has gained a dedicated and passionate fan base due to its engaging narratives, memorable characters, and the talented performances of the voice actor cast. The show has played a significant role in popularizing tabletop roleplaying games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons, and has become a prominent example of the power of collaborative storytelling.
Critical Role Cast Members
Matthew Mercer (Dungeon Master)
McCree in Overwatch, Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil 6, Chrom in Fire Emblem Awakening
Ashley Johnson (Pike Trickfoot)
Ellie in The Last of Us, Gretchen Grundler in Recess, Glimmer in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Travis Willingham (Grog Strongjaw)
Roy Mustang in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Paladin Danse in Fallout 4, Noctis Lucis Caelum in Final Fantasy XV
Laura Bailey (Vex'ahlia)
Tifa Lockhart in Final Fantasy VII Remake, Lightning Farron in Final Fantasy XIII, Chun-Li in Street Fighter
Taliesin Jaffe (Percy de Rolo)
Zaheer in Avatar: The Legend of Korra, Professor Venomous in OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, Scanlan Shorthalt in Critical Role
Marisha Ray (Keyleth of the Air Ashari)
Sho Minamimoto in The World Ends with You, Sabine Wren in Star Wars Rebels, Kikimora in The Owl House
Sam Riegel (Scanlan Shorthalt)
Jester Lavorre in Critical Role, Donatello in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Eric Sparrow in Tony Hawk's Underground
Critical Role Cast Members
Notable Roles
Where to watch Critical Role?
Critical Role, the popular live show featuring professional voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons, can be enjoyed on various platforms. Fans can tune in to watch the show on Twitch, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, the audio version of Critical Role can be accessed on popular podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.
If you prefer listening to streaming services, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, among others. The live broadcast of Critical Role takes place every Thursday at 7 pm Pacific Time on Twitch and YouTube. Subscribers to the Critical Role Twitch channel have immediate access to the video-on-demand (VOD) content, while the episodes are uploaded on YouTube the following Monday at 12 pm Pacific Time.
For those who prefer the audio format, the Critical Role podcast network releases the episodes on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms the following Thursday. With its captivating storytelling and the talent of its voice actors, Critical Role has garnered a massive following worldwide. Whether you are a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, fantasy, or simply enjoy immersive storytelling, Critical Role is a must-watch show that continues to captivate audiences with its engaging gameplay and memorable characters.
Is Critical Role Leaving D&D - FAQs
As of now, there is no official announcement from Critical Role about leaving D&D. However, there is speculation among fans that they may explore different systems in the future.
Some fans believe that Critical Role might be interested in moving away from D&D due to its complexity, challenges for new players, and the desire for creative freedom without being tied to a specific publisher. They have also developed their own tabletop game system, indicating a potential focus on their own system.
It is uncertain at this time. D&D is the most popular tabletop roleplaying game globally, and Critical Role may choose to continue using it to reach a broad audience and leverage its popularity. The decision to leave D&D or not rests with Critical Role.
Only Critical Role knows their future plans, and they have not made any official announcements regarding their departure from D&D. Until they provide further clarity, speculation about their potential transition will likely continue among fans and the tabletop gaming community.