I have a question for you, who the hell has a real life gaming group like the one on the web rpg show critical role? All the guys including the dm are either cool, charming, non autistic, and look like they regularly see a salon. And all the girls (assuming you're lucky enough to even have any girls in your group) look like underwear models or actresses. I love this show but at the same time I'm sort of mad resentful that I never had, or ever will have a group half as cool.
It is frustrating, but they are reasonably successful adults who have found a way to do this. It requires discipline, self control, existing funds, social contacts and hell of a lot of luck.
>>47964128
so its basicaly outside the real of possibility for any normal nerd. Figured.
>>47964223
No, but it will take 1-3 years of dedicated work to pull off. These guys didn't just plop a camera on their table and play their normal game. You have to really want it and work towards that goal.
>>47964279
So lets say I manage to put aside enough money to pay a few decent looking girls to play dnd with a select group I guys I pick that I know don't look like shit and are at least 6-7s. How long do you think it would take to start getting enough views to make enough money to keep paying my crew? And if you don't believe these girls aren't being paid, hahahahahahahahaha!!!
>>47964334
wow you really don't have friends jesus christ.
>>47963899
Be friends with other well adjusted people who manage their time well.
My current Eclipse Phase group consists of a mathematician, an electrician, an insurance agent, a network admin, and a biochemist (me). We play for two hours every Saturday and fuck do we make it count.
>>47963899
>Actors
You dont believe they play this in any capacity in their spare time do you? If the do it is a recent thing that they have done to improve their chances of getting on to things like Geek related youtube channels.
They are not gathering around in a table on a Saturday night to play a session of Pathfinder.
>>47964361
sadly, not the ones I'd like, so in all honestly, you're mostly right.
>>47964406
sounds like a dream group, but I suppose to compare with my situation, since I'm only surrounded by ghetto country trash, its hard to upscale my gaming group. I'll keep working on it but ya, I'm sort of stuck.
>>47964334
... EVERYONE is being paid, likely. Or compensated for their time somehow. Or offered a share of the profits, if and when they occur. They are also, almost certainly, all real friends of Mercer.
My last game group was,
Myself - Viking looking motherfucker, charismatic, playing party face dex/cha paladin.
My girlfriend - Slender Goth with a great ass, playing straight up str paladin. We would form a two-man shield wall.
My roommate - trendy-ish guy, years of dance, playing the ranger.
A friend, stocky but charismatic, curly hair that doesn't look like shit, playing the barbarian dwarf.
The DM's girlfriend, with some kind of cool girl haircut and dye, and great hips, playing the orc warlock.
The DM, slender/atheletic guy with tattoos all down both arms.
No sperglords in the group at all, though the dancer is 19, so he's a bit young. The group before that only had one; the one before that had none.
Where are you that all you can get to play a SOCIAL game is people who don't have basic social skills or hygiene?
>>47964411
Ya, that's what I figured was the main draw for some of these people since I can't see any other reason girls like that would play for 4 hours a week in a small basement with little drama related story to keep them interested.
>>47964411
Actors and improv guys have always been the most likely to show up at my table. Even if they're only getting into it for the channel, they clearly ARE getting into it. It's a lot like taking on a role, and that's in their skillset.
Admittedly, actors do prefer games with more fluff and less crunch - fiasco with a group of actors or writers is AMAZING.
>>47964491
Man, that sounds like another great line up of players. MY gf is fairly overweight and doesn't even like gaming, and while I have some friends that do they all are middle florida types so they're pretty trashy themselves. I need money like you said.
>>47964512
I never thought about trying to invite theater geeks to my games. I always assumed they would turn their noses up and this stuff. Thats a good idea though, I'll have to try it out.
>>47964498
> Girls like That
... what? Attractive women?
My best players have been women, and all of them have been attractive - and only one caused any drama, because all she wanted to do was get high with the ranger on snack/bathroom breaks.
Just thinking back through previous groups...
>Slender goth and hippy trendy girl, from >>47964491
> Slender Goth's faerie-oriented sister, who played the shit out of a pf Gnome Saboteur Alchemist / Urban Barbarian
> Literal model and her pole-dancing amazon of a sister - the model I first met dressed as a night elf rogue at a halloween party, and got her into my games playing a succubus in an evil campaign. Her sister got in through her, played a dragonkin berserker
> Shit-kicking security guard military kid with tits like a shelf and an ass to match. She had... some issues, sure, but they never caused a problem at the table. Played a knife wielding CQC specialist.
> Aforementioned chick getting high with the ranger. She was playing a gnome druid, though, so in retrospect it makes a fair bit of sense.
>>47963899
My group is functional and attractive, except for myself. I'm handsome but I have a severe case of edge, and I'm quite the contrarian.
>>47964411
They literally played Pathfinder for years before making it a stream.
And surprise, voice actors in LA know each other from other work.
>>47964512
>>47964547
Wouldn't recommend it, unless you want them zoning out during combat parts and trying to settle everything with prose. Trying to shoehorn another hobby in to an existing one just ends up with people getting pissed.
My wife plays and she invited a friend who does belly dancing (Not in any way pleasant, she was mammoth and red and unpleasant and always scratching her top lip) and she kept trying to make it relevant. A biased example i know, but not one I would wish on anybody.
>>47964498
Even if there is drama they will not stay interested beyond it staying relevant to their careers. That is not to say no women play, they do, they are like us. Genuine passion can easily be seen regardless of either gender.
>>47964609
lucky bastard. Sounds like every game night was better than going clubbing.
Also, might as well try, got any pics? Wait now that I think about it, no. It would just depress me even more.
>>47964674
I live in middle florida so I'm beginning to realize a lot of my problem is locati0n and that I'm not in the acting circle.
>>47964674
>They literally practiced on their show for a year before going live.
The most succesful youtube channels are all working from a script, anon. Their production values are getting higher and higher all the time, it is not just a a few friends with a camera anymore.
They are rehersed, polished products that are given a relaxed, social and amatuer feel. How I wish they were though.
>>47964709
>I live in middle florida
Suddenly nothing you said surprises me
>>47964750
It is a weekly 4 hour *live* show. How could it be scripted?
>>47964674
>And surprise, voice actors in LA know each other from other work.
Don't you bring that sense bullshit here!
Oh god, I hadn't even considered voice actors. They are TAILOR FUCKING MADE for tabletop games with characters - they're always focused on the non-physical parts of a role, so they're used to imagining actions and trying to portray that through their voices.
My dream table might actually be Jennifer Hale, Claudia Black, James Marsters, Mark Hamil, Steve Blum - can you imagine that lineup?
>>47964709
Yes, that is certainly a large part of the problem. Hit the gym, volunteer at a local theater, expand your social circle and run some games.
>>47964750
dammm. I didn't realize it was that built up. It is impressive I still sort of get a home brew feel to the group but ya, It will be a while before I can get like that.
>>47964774
...you honestly think they don't go over it beforehand? Every 'live' show for anything has a script, even if its just a loose draft.
>>47964774
>We'll lead in with you all making your characters, they're all done but freestyle on it until I give the signal and improv around making them and keep it light.
>Simple signal given
>Alright, the adventure begins on blah blah blah
>Riff on this for a bit, ten minutes.
>Tragedy coming up, slow your speech, it's sad remember.
You give them a general outline of a campaign, they prepare for it. You know, like GMs do all over the world. They are professional actors, not amazingly great ones, but enough to convey what they are wanting to sell. It is the basics of acting, give them a path to follow in the forum of a linear campaign, then direct them the way you want off scream with simple cues.
>>47964822
It is entertaning and very watchable but it made to be so. That does not detract too much from what it is so long as you know it is now just a few friends getting together to record their game. Profit, anon, it makes the world turn.
>>47964774
Major points of it can be rehearsed, which is different from being scripted. I haven't put much out, but every small project I've done with "candid" takes has taken a lot of prep to get in position. You polish before you go on stage.
Essentially, that's like saying, "how can a live play be scripted?" They do it quick, given the turnaround time for shows, but there's far less of a problem if they go off-script, and these are people with more than a little improv and ad-lib training.
>>47964752
Eesh. You've got it in one. Nothing good happens in that shriveled scrotum of a state.
>>47964685
I wouldn't know. I've never been clubbing. I have, however, worked very hard to make my home and my table an inviting place for the kind of people I want to hang out with, and as a man who likes tits, I have made sure that people with tits feel welcome.
I have seen each of those sets of tits, too, bar one. GF's little sister is off limits.
>>47964678
Like I said, more crunch, less fluff, definitely - and you've got to give them characters that do interesting things in combat, like decoding the runes on the wall while swashbuckling.
I like the cortex system for that specific reason - combat is quick, I only make them roll for things that could fail and have interesting implications for the plot, and character growth is driven by plot achievement.
And as far as
> Genuine passion can easily be seen regardless of either gender.
Is that a thing some people don't know?
>>47963899
Daily reminder that all web shows, TV shows and movies about "nerd culture" are exploitative and marginalize the social demographic they attempt to depict.
>>47964865
holy shit thats true that just ruined the show for me. Dam. I really thought all those well thought out speeches and shit were off the top of their head. I knew the bard's songs were pre made up but the rest I felt was truly on the fly.
>>47964816
If you're not great on stage, learn useful tech skills. Do lighting or set work. Offer to buy the actors a round while they're rehearsing, mention that all of them at a table working on lines reminds you of running a tabletop game.
>>47964865
All of that's true, and I know you're not saying this, but I need to stress that none of it makes it any less enjoyable. With the exception of the polish and shine, everything could happen at your table.
That's part of the draw, too. I really liked, personally, the old show "I Hit It With My Axe," which was with porn actors/actresses and strippers.
Everyone can be a nerd now, man. We're out of the nerd closet. Gaming is just a thing people do.
>>47964919
true. Just like portlandia, although I didn't watch much of it. Or big bang theory.
Keep in mind three things about this show:
1) They all knew each other for years before the game even began, thanks to their shared background jobs of being voice actors or actual actors (Ashley - the gnome cleric - is a supporting cast member in a primetime NA show, and Sam has been on TV before).
2) They all played the game in Pathfinder for almost two years before showing up on Twitch, so they had a lot of chemistry and character history going before it was on camera.
3) They all are (overall) pretty well-adjusted folks who know the difference between IC and OOC moments.
Note that their earliest episodes actually had an 8th party member/player but left around episode 30 due to creative differences between Matt (the DM) and his character's believed importance in the party dynamic. There's also rumors of him being inappropriate one episode and being kinda meta-gaming a ton, but those are rumors.
>>47964988
I never heard of that show, but am now required to try sand watch it. Thanks for the tip friend.
>>47964919
Consumer Culture is exploitative. The best thing you can do is encourage them to make media FOR you, and not ABOUT you. That's the difference between Acquisitions Incorporated and, let's say, The Big Bang Theory. Then it enriches you in a symbiotic relationship, instead of feeding off of you in a parasitic one.
Seriously, man, that's just how culture works. Doesn't matter what kind of culture or demographic we're talking about.
>>47964976
No, no, man, don't let it do that. There's no reason it should ruin the show - a good chunk of it's almost certainly ad libbed, they're working off of directions, but if you're enjoying the product, don't let the fact that you know it's rehearsed change shit for you.
My dex paladin? It's 5e, she's got the Oath of the Crown, and she's evil. She knows she's evil, she's going to come into conflict with the other paladin at some point - some accidental "Detect Evil" spell getting pointed at here - and I'm going to have to do some verbal tap dancing right then and there. She does good out of necessity, because it's what her king commands, and she's a lawful servant of the king. She strives to uphold society, because she recognizes her own urges, and knows that civilization protects her as much as anyone else.
I'm already rehearsing the speech. I'm going for a little bit of Parthunaax from Skyrim - straight up admitting to who she is, without qualm, and asking the paladin what is more righteous: a man, driven all his life to do good, or a woman who puts aside the needs that drive her, to do good?
I'm rehearsing it so I can deliver it right at the table. Why wouldn't I? Does that diminish what I'm doing?
>>47964919
Sadly true.
>>47965103
Mandy Morbid is in it, one of my favorite alt-porn stars.
>>47965070
That's good to know then that they're mostly all old friends. I know I could only even think of doing something online like this with some of my oldest and best gaming companions.
I never looked any of the players up in real life so thats weird but cool if some of them are actors (and gives me hope some of the girls will one day maybe go nude), but again, I don;'t know any actors so it will be hard for me to mimic that group makeup.
Was that guy they got rid of sort of fatish? I think I remember him.
>>47964976
That was the last thing I wanted to do anon, I did not mean to detract from a thing you enjoy. There is nothing wrong with this, enjoying the show, but it is no different to watching something on cabel tv and I feel to represent it otherwise does a disservice to you and the hobby.
But as the other anon said, there is nothing stopping a game we hold from being like this.
>>47965184
Okay, I've got to know, how old are you? What's the social group you have look like?
If you don't know how nonsensical it is for 8 successful voice actors to spend that much time rehearsing a live D&D game then I hate to think how broke you must be. This show is scripted in the sense that the DM does a lot of work up front (like a lot of DMs) and the players are literally advertising their resumes publicly so have a reason to get their characters screen time.
This game is not far from my home game in terms of actual play quality, story, and even the humor - but my friends are not voice actors. We use third person to role play and will allow tangential OoC conversations if we are all entertained by them. If Inhad producers, sound engineers, Syrenscapes, tons of miniatures, and could voice act at the level of a decently big name I could do this show without a script. It's just not required at all.
>>47965109
ya I do see what you're saying. I write out all my npc's major speeches and outline their big discussions with the pcs. But I can safely say I don;'t think any of my halfwitted players ever think more than 5 seconds about what they're going to say or do. Lol, so when I watch these actors it always impressed me they could say stuff as eloquently on the fly as me who took a day to flesh it out.
I'm going to always watch because I have a huge crush on all the girls and a dm crush on matt but knowing they have even a basic outline of the nights activities does ever so slightly take away from the awe I used to have of them.
>>47965206
I'm 34 but my friends are all either 5 years older or 10 years younger. Its a weird group. Thats probably why they all have such different goals and play styles.
>>47965191
Nothing but hard work, and a good understanding of the kind of people you have playing.
Here's an example - I had a gestalt PF campaign to have people try some high-powered fun, a good mix of player abilities, and I made all the characters myself with the players specifically in mind. Here's the roster.
JB - He's a long term player of mine, always likes to play snipey characters, so I decided to mix it up. I made him a Tengu Rogue / Witch, with a bunch of Debuffs, to make him have to get into the fray to cause damage, but to keep him doing his support and force multiplication game, and get him out of his comfort zone. He turned into the party face, quick.
My Girlfriend - She has always liked playing straightforward brawlers, so I made her a Magus / Gunslinger, to pull her more into the DPS and Caster end of play. She got a fast, maneuverable character she loved playing, something between Harry Dresden and Richard Riddick.
GF's Sister - Aforementioned Gnome Saboteur Alchemist / Urban Barbarian. She's not the most comfortable person, she often has anxiety about the best course of action, so I gave her a character who always has a panic button - rage up and start blowing shit up. It worked WAY too well for her, and she actually managed to use every bit of the character to slip a supernatural bounty hunter and his team of city swat I loosed on her.
Dickwheel - This guy was simple. I mean, he was easy to figure out what to do for, but he was also literally a simple person. I made him a dwarven paladin/roof runner rogue. He played him like Spiderman-Thor, smashing heads for justice, and unlike every other character, he had a straightforward backstory with no personal trauma.
JD - This guy is rarely sure what to do character wise, so I enforced his abilities mechanically - I made him a healing focused cleric archetype / summoner, and had his eidolon act like his body guard. The character was an elven noble, not given to sharing much. (continued)
>>47965360
how long had you been playing with them before that campaign?
>>47965360
Continued> ... and that meant that everything he said sounded like the terse words of a guarded man, not the floundering of someone who didn't know what he was doing. In combat, his job was to A) get to the injured and fix them, and B) get his Eidolon, a character with literally no personality, into the fray.
KO - A shortstack with a shorter attention span, I made her a pilot. I forget what her actual class distinction was, maybe Rogue / Witch, because she just did piloting. She would be able to come in or out of the game depending on how up to it she was feeling that night, and I would just design the session with that in mind. She had fun, and her absence wasn't missed too much. She was useful when she was there.
JJ - The most comfortable with the combat mechanics, I made him a Rogue / Urban Ranger, and he handled the heaviest fighting alongside Dickwheel. DW tanked, he DPS'd, and the other characters interacted from range or as needed.
Each of those was designed to both compensate for those players' weaknesses, or bring out the strengths in them I wanted to develop.
>>47965397
JB, years. The GF had done a campaign or two, namely the evil one in 3.5 with the model mentioned before. She was the Succubus's vat grown hell soldier.
The rest of them I knew as people, and talked to about the kinds of things they enjoyed doing in vidya or would like to emulate from TV / Movies.
>>47965293
Christ, get out of Florida while you can. If you have to stay in the south, move to somewhere like Austin TX or Savannah GA, where you know you can be around a creative culture. Otherwise, shit, head to Boston, Seattle, Denver, or any city within a trainride of NYC. Do it while you still can, for your sanity, before Florida eats you.
Sometimes literally. You live in a state that occasionally goes "NOM NOM SINKHOLE IN YOUR BEDROOM SHITSTAIN."
>>47965515
One thing different between your people and mine, is that mine always know what they want to play, admittedly even if its not what they're good at or what the group needs most. They would get mad if I ever tried to railroad them or try to tell one of them they should play a specific race/class. It was maddening, but yours does sound cool. Wish I could play in your group anon,.
>>47965566
I know I know. I got to get my gf's shit straight with her job and family and then we're going to try. Keeping my fingers crossed.
>>47965582
That's the beauty of playing with people new to the hobby, though - you can direct them through the crunch, or even handle it all for them, to get them hooked on the play. From then on, crunch is just the work they have to do to get playing, and they enjoy it because they get to build the fightan dood they're sending up Tiamat's Cloaca to retreive the Emerald Diaphragm of Cyr Drannor.
>>47965618
I'd like to guide them more but they're all dude bros so they're pretty self opinionated. I'll work on them and try to spoonful of sugar them into playing outside of their comfort zone more.
Alright, I'm assuming direct control of this thread - what do your groups look like, what do you want them to look like, and what help do you need getting them there?
I'm the anon from
>>47965360
>>47964609
>>47964491
And I'm not saying I've got all the answers, but I've done a pretty fantastic job of shaping the group I want to run games for / with and having good interactions from surprising places.
>>47964865
So do they script in the parts where people forget the rules or confuse it with the old pathfinder rules and need them re-explained three times?
Or the parts where a wanker on the show did stupid edgelord stuff and had to be asked to leave?
Or the parts where one of them constantly misunderstands how things will play out and as such wastes their turns consistantly?
I'm a fan of conspiracy theories as much as the next guy, but frankly the far simpler explanation is they are actually people who have played D&D for a while, who look pretty enough that a production house realised they could make money putting them in front of a camera to do it.
>>47965720
Pull each of them aside, then, and work with them on a secret - something they and only they know they're working towards, something that will give them power and prestige, but something that may get them into conflict with other players.
Then hint that one of the others may be trying to stop them, and that they're going to have to play it close to the chest.
Instantly, you've got Dudebros roleplaying secret agendas, and that's just two long steps away from playing a political intrigue game in Venice.
>>47964914
>GF's little sister is off limits.
Who dares, wins.
>>47965070
Not really rumours. Easy to see on the right episodes. Dude metagamed like fuck and constantly tried to push himself to the forefront as the badass of the group. Though he was probably kicked off when he started abusing fans on twitter for profitting off his OCCHARACTERDONOTSTEAL by making T-shirt designs. The show does as well as it does by maintaining a creepily upbeat perception of their relationship with their fans.
>>47965816
She and I actually have a pretty great rapport. I used to joke to my GF that her and I were having an affair behind her back, just in a teasing way. One time, we're all out at one of the marvel movies together, and I say out loud to both of them that I have to come clean - I've been pretending to the GF that the sister and I have been having an affair.
The sister snakes an arm around my waist, hits her hip to mine, gives me bedroom eyes, and whispers huskily, "What do you mean, pretending?"
We broke the GF together.
That being said, I literally have more sex than I want to. I don't need to add onto that problem.
That sounds like bragging, it's not. My libido is low enough already, and I have so many things I would rather spend that energy on even when I am in the mood.
>>47964361
my game has no chicks, but the guys I play with are all well adjusted and reasonably successful with women. We are all professionals. Why do you guys fetishize this weird /r9k/ anti-social vibe?
>>47965891
She sounds like a bro, that sister.
>>47963899
What are you talking about? These people have average looks. My group looks about that or better.
>>47965895
Geek Social Fallacies. That, and the kind of people who think of geekdom as an exclusive club seem to be the kind of people who don't have a lot of power elsewhere, and seem to derive pleasure or security from enforcing their power over a hobby they view as "Theirs."
That's why, of all of the women I know, NONE of them game at FLGSs. It's almost impossible for them to do so without attracting that kind of sperglord, who demands they prove their chops before he'll graciously allow them into HIS hobby, and preferably onto his dick.
>>47965753
>So do they script in the parts where people forget the rules or confuse it with the old pathfinder rules and need them re-explained three times?
So you are caught between having played for a year or two before streaming live then needing to have rules explained? Sometimes it is difficult for actors to stay in character when there is not a divide, when they are essentially playing themselves.
>Or the parts where a wanker on the show did stupid edgelord stuff and had to be asked to leave?
When they brought on a new guy and he didn't gel with the group, just like in real life? No, again the majority of profitable and successful streamers do so in a semi-professional enviroment. There is no reason to not stage drama, make meta characters you hate and ones you love. Ones that lastand ones that don't
>Or the parts where one of them constantly misunderstands how things will play out and as such wastes their turns consistantly?
Again, see the top one please. I don't mean to detract from your enjoyment as it makes no difference to me if it is legit or enacted. The line between professional and not has been completely erased because of technology and affordability. Sadly the professional industry has just began to tap in to the amatuer scene thanks to youtube, twitch and other live streaming sites and realize just how profitable it is. To the detriment of genuine streamers who don't have the resources to compete with the big guys without backing from others.
>>47964750
No, they're not "rehersed", you didn't catch onto anything that anyone else wasn't perceptive enough to perceive and you're not privy to any specific information the rest of us aren't. You're pretending to be all knowing and savvy but it's all bullshit.
>>47965891
>Detect Bluff
>Nat 20
>>47966043
Not that anon, but dude, yeah they are? I'm not saying they have a script, but there are plans and directions and more railroading than normal, if only because the DM can't afford to deal with the bullshit lack of direction that most other tables would have.
Youtube shows / streams / creative projects, no matter how live, are rehearsed and polished. Why is that a problem?
>>47966068
Not sure which part that refers to, so either "Yay" or "What?" or "Go Fuck Yourself." You find the appropriate answer. It's like a choose your own adventure!
>>47965749
Okay, so I didn't assume too much control, but if anyone does have some problems or questions, I'll be free to answer. I'm making the girl dinner, but I'll be off and on.
>>47966043
Which is more likely?
1) Several friends get together and stream a live game for no other reason other to enjoy and share what is a relatively intimate and close-knt game between friends.
or
2) A group of professional actors get together to band wagon the growing celebration of geekdom by streaming a live ttrpg game for all to see, showcasing their talents in a cost-effective way. A living and evolving resume if you will, using their experience of improv, voice acting and showmanship to make what would otherwise be a dull viewing experience emotive and enjoyable to watch?
>>47966128
Forgot to add that their field of acting, voice, show, theater and all others is perhaps the most hyper-competitive in the world. Where in elsewhere in the country or the world I would agree but alas it is not.
>>47966026
>>So you are caught between having played for a year or two before streaming live then needing to have rules explained? Sometimes it is difficult for actors to stay in character when there is not a divide, when they are essentially playing themselves.
They originally played Pathfinder. They get the basic stuff right but constantly make mistakes like confusing the old "old my turn" rules with the new "hold my action" in 5E.
>>When they brought on a new guy and he didn't gel with the group, just like in real life?
They haven't brought on a new guy. They've had some guest stars, some of which have decent and others who've been shit and obviously not a good match.
Don't get me wrong, a shit ton of streaming stuff has a lot of scripting, and there've been a few attempts at a tabletop streamed show that's been pretty obviously scripted. But this one doesn't seem scripted to me.
>>47963899
Me, I'm the most autistic one as the GM and I am so attractive that my autistic behavior doesn't stop me from getting fucked
Granted my game is me and my two besties. Once my third bestie comes back to town we will have a fat virgin but he's still the coolest and nicest guy ever and great at rping
>>47966128
>Por Que no Los Dos?
>>47966177
I've no problem with that my square-shelled friend. In no way should it detract from the viewing experience.
>>47964498
I have three girls in my party. One is a lesbian (but not obnoxious or anything, honestly I just thought she was a scene girl until I put the clues together), one came as the girlfriend of one of the players but stayed even after they broke up and he left the group (for unrelated reasons), and the last actually brought her boyfriend into the game (though I wish she hadn't, that guy is That Guy).
Overall the women in my group are pretty high quality. They really get into the roleplaying, make interesting choices, pay attention etc. The guys in my group are good too (except for That Guy). Maybe you just need better friends.
>>47966128
Or an alternative interpretation
1) A production studio decides to bandwagon onto the growing tabletop gaming trend several years before it happens by telling a small group of actors to mention a D&D game on convention panels. Then when the time is right they get the group together and loosely script out three+ hours of a D&D game for the actors to play through.
2) A group of voice actors play D&D together in their off time, and due to their profession the resulting game is quite theatrical. A production studio finds out about this and offers to pay the group to stream this game, a move that would mean they play more regularly, get money and get increased exposure. Then because they've already got a decent D&D game going they don't script it because that would take time and money to do and be counter productive.
>>47966204
I'm looking at the Op's picture, and I'm realizing that all that's seperating that table from mine is the six or seven years I'll need to be that age.
That, and running a game for seven has never been a great idea. Four man squad lyfe.
All of those, visually at least, might as well be my players.
>>47965158
I never realized I had a fetish for legitimate couples having sex before I learned about them
>>47966233
Makes no odds to me they are all valid and equally worthwhile. My only point is that it is not an organic, simple playing of a few gathered friends for recreational purposes.
If it did begin as just friends playing, it has left it far behind and is now commerical in its intention. More viewers, more exposure, more chances of generating income.
>>47966312
There is genuine proof that it started as a Pathfinder game several years ago. There's videos posted back in like 2014 if them playing at Matt's house way before the show was even announced.
But yes, from the videos you can see that it's become a little more rigid. They clearly had a bit more freedom and chaos going on before hand, but now in the show for the sake of entertainment, the players allow Matt to guide them a little more and just accept his plot hooks without looking into them too much. That's not saying the game is scripted by any means, but the show does play out more like an improv show than a D&D game now (but in the end, that's probably better than 99% of all D&D games being played).
>>47964774
You think just because it's live there isn't a script?
>>47965158
that shits normal for most people. Fuck out of all my friends I'm the only one with a high sex drive, the rest of the just kind of wait for their girl to start it
>>47965261
they don't have an outline, that anon is a shitposter.
>>47966475
What makes more sense:
1) A group of voice actors turn a game into a livestream investing no more than the typical amount of time in preparation of the story
2) The group spends hours and hours of unpaid time - when they all have day jobs - to run a low paying livestream.
Streamers don't make a lot of money, and G&S has a staff behind this that gets paid on top of a large number of stars of the show. It cannot afford to have them rehearse or script the show, and the actual gameplay is literally not far from a typical game I have been in. The only difference I see is we have OoC talk and this show doesn't.
>>47966640
Agreed, it's become a slightly more rigid and "serious game" but it's still just 8 people sitting around playig dnd.
>>47963899
Mine is.... Kind of close compared to most groups. None of us are overly attractive, but I don't think I'd say any of us are ugly or fat. We do have two girls and they are both, like, 7s if I had to rate them. We are all moderately successful with pretty good social skills.
Except me, I am the most autistic one in the group. Otherwise I wouldn't be on 4chan.
>Google pushes money in to Geeks and Sundry
>Felicia Days goes around finding content
>Finds Critical Role Group
>Brings them on board 'her' channel
>Raises production values, introduces pacing, general scripting and emotive acting
>Pays actors decently for 4 hours work a week
>They study the 'script' which is little more than GMs notes of what is going to happen so they can react correctly
>Campaign is written by several people on staff
>Players work all over California, this is a contract.
>>47966640
It is broadcast on one of youtubes main channels, one that has actual stars, guest and regular. It is not just a few people gathered around a table, it is semi-scripted and acted.
>>47963899
Why the fuck would you want to play RPGs with attractive women? Just a distraction, honestly.
>>47963899
>Liam
>Taliesin
>Marisha
>not autistic
I've binge-watched the first 46 episodes of CR over the past week or two because I love it, but it gets really rough at some points with the overacting and spotlight whoring.
>Ashley
>model-tier
She's very cute, and probably my favorite female in the cast, but her face is not conventionally attractive.
>>47964678
>unless you want them zoning out during combat parts
Don't turn your combat into a tactics minigame. Reward them for putting life into their actions.
Look at the Grog v Hammer pitfights in Critical Role. It's basically an hour of a PC and an NPC autoattacking each other over and over again, and yet everyone gets really into it.
>>47966817
It's a fucking Twitch show you mongloid. There wasn't even a dedicated sponsor for a long time, and then it was a company that made dice boxes. They got a real sponsor 12 months in and relied on subscriptions before then.
The situation you brought forth is true for Titansgrave, but not Critical Role. And Titansgrave was kickstarted to pay for the time and staffing - Critical Role was a big risk when it started because they had to invest a lot of their stream's prime time and their staff.
>>47966848
God damn I fucking hate Marisha, makes me cringe everytime. The other are bearable
>>47966939
She's banging Matt, so she's here to stay.
>>47966939
I love when people defend her as just ~being in character~ when it's obvious that 90% of the time she's just playing herself.
Sam, despite being comedic relief, has had some of the best roleplaying. He actually thinks about what his character would realistically do, and checks with Matt if he's unsure whether his character would know something that he does.
When those desperate survivors of the dragon attack were looting Gilmore's, Scanlan was the only character who didn't try to murder them. Keyleth the insufferable moral authority immediately started blasting them with lightning and saying how good it felt to work off her frustration.
>>47966848
>this
I mean, Taliesin is probably close to 40yo, and look at him.
Marisha is a slightly grown-up version of an exactly the kind of a nerdy half-attractive girl you could meet in flgs or in engineering college with a whole fleet of dorks drooling all over her and her using them for all kinds of life purposes.
Liam seems alright, though. He's a proper grown man with a hint of a child inside; playing an edgy half-elf rouge doesn't seem to be HIS deal.
And as for the girls being models - Laura, IMO, is the most conventionally attractive of the three, but she is still quite dorky without makeup.
>>47967090
Sam really is the guy you would want at your table. He actively avoids meta-gaming without it turning into his character intentionally making dumb choices, respects Matt's calls, and actually reads his spells (even though he doesn't always know what to roll, he functionally understands the spells).
He was the counter balance to Orion before he got the boot.
Oh, and I agree Marisha is irritating.
>>47967090
Sam's the greatest because he always stays in character and maintains the rules of the world. Like when a social conversation happens, he only ever breaks character to either tell Matt he wants to make a roll or to ask Matt what he knows about something. If someone who's not in the conversation speaks up, he ignores them (in a humorous way). Same thing applies to Grog to a lesser extent.
>>47967176
I never noticed how bad Orion was until he left and the game got much better.
>>47967206
I rewatched from of the old episodes again and it really is painful. I didn't mind him at the time, but the more you watch and see how desperate he was to power game and steal the spotlight it really contrasts with the current vibe.
The part where he really wants to use telekinesis to assist Vex shooting her arrow into the hole is the epitome of not letting somebody have their moment.
Oh, and when he blew all his spells because he knew the Rakshasa would be immune to lower level spells.
>>47967206
>>47967277
It's a damn shame, because Orion was fantastic when he wasn't being an insufferable shitheel. The scene where he went to setup a new permanent teleport circle was solid gold.
Now all that's left is Marisha, who is like Orion Jr. They even have the same mannerisms when acting out their spells.
>>47967277
Yea you could see how pissed she was when he did that and how Matt tried to twist it so Laura could still have her moment. Travis' annoyance was also quite striking when Orion dedicated half the episode to trying to build a death ray that Matt already told him wouldn't work and then tried to call in the Draconian army with complete disregard as to how that would cause the campaign to crash and burn.
>>47967351
>implying buying hundreds of tiny mirrors to create an artificial sun wasn't the kind of brilliant plan that would be storytimed on /tg/
>>47967331
Marisha is only annoying because the moralfagging and not knowing the system well enough to play a high level caster. A fucking wizard named Taako Adventure Zone has his shit more together than her with less effort.
Though the windfall scene was fucking hilarious unintentionally, and at least she is literally playing an aspie Druid.
>>47967380
True. But as a player, a person and especially an actor, you should be able to pick up the hints from your DM and your fellow players when you're spending too much time on something and need to just give it a rest.
>>47964491
Are you white
>>47967380
It wasn't so much the plan as it was his decision to waste the time of everybody at the table (and watching) to make a plan that was not going to work.
The writing to Draconia part for an army is also one of those things that really sucks to hear when you're a GM. You've set up an awesome world, built around the characters they made years ago and Orion tries to shoehorn his backstory into an entire army to destroy any foes.
He did have some pretty good moments though, in his defense. It just wasn't the right person for the table and that happens. It sucks that it had to break apart in front of a large group of fans, though.
Watching Matt run the game really is the best part of the whole series to me.
>>47965753
Why are you responding to this retard? This entire thread is trollbait.
>>47966939
Marisha is that chick that your stoner buddy went out with who was somehow an even bigger stoner than he was.
>>47967474
> Are you white
Was me calling myself a Viking Looking Motherfucker a clue at all?
>>47967390
>that cracking sobbing voice every time something mildly unpleasant happens because she literally has no settings between "Marisha" and "Maximum Overham"
>constantly tries to do broken shit then gets huffy if it doesn't work
>metagames
>>47967501
Yeah, I'm glad he's gone. I just wish he could have learned to how to behave instead.
Matt's DMing is pretty amazing, but Travis and Sam are what make the show for me. Laura is great whenever Trinket or Vax is involved, and I respect the effort Liam puts in. Taliesin...I really want to like Taliesin since he seems like a nice dude and he's really opened up as a player over the series, but he isn't portraying his character very well and half his dialogue is "I don't know."
>>47967620
Travis and Sam doing the Craven Edge discussion was an amazing example in roleplaying. The fact that it started just from Matt asking them what they wanted to do in their downtime and it turned into a major plot point is how I wish my players would act sometimes.
>>47967653
Another good Sam moment was after Vex was killed by the trapped and Vax asked Scanlan how he can stay so upbeat in spite of everything they keep enduring.
Critical Role isfunto watch.
Travis, Laura, and Sam are toptier. The others are entertaining enough, and Matt is a fucking great DM.
>>47967753
Sam's also probably had the most character development in the cast. He started as the typical horny bard player but the episode that introduced his daughter and the moments he's had with Pike since her return has made him God-tier RP material.
>>47967620
I don't think it was ever going to work. He didn't respect the golden rule. Their games being streamed online sparked too many ideas in his head that took away from everyone else's experience.
He posted a video on YouTube about how he's getting old and there's still so much shit he wants to do and Critical Role was eating up too much of his time, but that's bull. About halfway through the video, he struggles to find the words he's looking for and starts rambling about how awesome Draconia is. And that's where the real answer is: Orion wanted to play a game where he actually could summon an army to crush his foes and the others didn't.
Sam > Travis > Liam > Laura > Taliesin > Ashley > > > > Marisha
I think that if Travis had an opportunity to play a more complex character he would be undisputed God tier.
>>47967757
Liam > Laura imo
Laura gets kind of tough to watch whenever nonhostile NPCs are around. She gets that super entitled attitude.
>>47967874
I agree with all of this except Ashley, who I can't really place anywhere.
I know she's not a very good roleplayer or strategist, but she's just so lovable. She's like the cute loli character or team mascot.
>>47967874
>>47967962
This, for example. It's obvious that these two are on different planes of existence RP-wise, but for me, it's just freaking impossible not to like Ashley/Pike. She's an absolutely adorable little monstah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKS2sjwRISw
>>47967187
Sam and Travis are total bro tier. I'd love to play with them
>>47968000
Agreed. Pike's interactions with Grog are SoL anime tier cuteness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvSGvbEf1HI
>>47967390
>The Adventure Zone
I really like that podcast and Taako is hands down my favorite
>>47967962
I like Laura more than Liam, myself. At the beginning of this dragon storyline, there was a lot of drama surrounding him, partly inspired by how many magic items he has. I think most of this mellowed out when they all realized there's a vestige out there designed specifically for them and they started strategizing off-stream, including swapping items. Laura's just a dork, it's hard to take anything she says or does as serious.
And I think Ashley herself would agree with you. She seems content to just watch everyone else play. It's easy to say it's because she's gone so much, but I think it might just be how she is.
>>47967501
Half the reason I watch Critical Role is so I can learn from Matt how to DM
While we are at it, what's your opinion on guest players and their characters up to this point? My rating:
Lyra > Kash > Zahra > Gern > Shale > Thorbir > two poor guys who were invited and never got to do much of anything.
>>47968000
Ashley is the cutest. I legitimately have a crush on her
>>47968070
I thought Vax's "why the fuck are we doing what we're doing, and why the fuck are we still with these people??" right before the dragons attacked raised some really great points.
Vax has a crush on Keyleth, and Vex might maybe have a thing for Percy, but other than that they don't really have anything that warrants charging into certain death repeatedly for modest rewards.
I wish the Vax-Keyleth romance had ended at the Sun Tree. That scene was beautifully somber in spite of Keyleth's best efforts.
>>47968139
>Lyra = Kash > Zahra > *
Will Friedle was amazing. His poker face throughout the Trial of the Take was fantastic.
>>47964865
There are literrally videos of them playing the same game from years ago, stop with your weird conspiracy bullshit
>>47968264
Kash and Zahra were genuinely great tier. Lyra was entertaining but a bit of a one note character. The rest are mostly forgettable.
>>47968275
But when they get asked to join a popular hobby channel, they needed to make it profitable. Because of that the content changes, subtly at first but compare the recent to the old, the differene is stark.
>>47968317
Lyra was great because of Felicia's acting. She wore that character like a second skin.
>>47968336
>trying harder because people are watching you
wow what sellouts
>>47968667
Never did say there was anything wrong with it, just be aware of what you are watching.
Are you people trying to tell me that you actually take time out of your day to watch someone else play D&D?
At least spectator sports involve drinking and regional tribalism.
>>47968735
This is one of the most retarded things i've seen in a long time, outstanding.
This entire thread is shockingly, outstandingly retarded.
>>47968735
b8 m8
>>47968762
>stop liking thins I don't like!
>>47964458
>I'm only surrounded by ghetto country trash.
Oh, you're from South Carolina I take it?
>>47968694
Friends playing D&D, and it's more entertaining than a normal group because they're talented voice actors, some with a past in theater and/or improv. Also, Matt Mercer is a workaholic/perfectionist (to our benefit).
>>47968989
Indeed it is, the chemistry is much better. But it is in no appreciable way made for spectators.
>>47967351
Keep in mind that Taliesin was also trying to build an Archimedes Death Ray during this time (because he knew he was going to need a Sunbeam-esque thing to fight against the BBEG's in his hometown), only he simply told Matt, "I've done the paperwork ahead of time (which he hands to Matt to read) of my plan that I told you about off-screen, the paperwork explains it fully. Can we handwave me spending a few hours in-game buying the components and just have me spend the week doing a bunch of skill checks to see if it works?"
Where-as Orion wanted to roleplay all of his mirror-buying, even though there was no reason for him to do so (he barely succeeded on the check to even get the most basic info. about vampires).
>>47963899
Looks like my group, except we don't have to endure Day.
>>47967874
In terms of RP skill, my list goes:
Sam > Travis > Liam > Taliesin = Laura = Ashley >>> Marisha
Sam - far and away - is the best RPer of the group; stays in character a ton, makes a bunch of little jokes and quips when he's ignoring someone both IC and OOC, and has had a lot of character development since the show started.
Travis started off with just being the big, dumb, strong tank but eventually evolved the concept into something he could get behind and still be "true" to his character.
Liam's playing a bit of an edgelord, even if he himself is an overall chill dude who just wants to have fun with his friends. I mean, he runs games for his kids and their friends (which Matt's helping him with in terms of DM advise, maps, props, etc.).
Laura, Taliesin, and Ashley all have their moments, but have some faults (Laura's IC greed, Ashley just for not being there long enough to develop a presence, Taliesin sometimes meta-games or butts in on other character's moments but quickly corrects himself).
Marisha just plays a character that no one likes, herself included, but she's just stuck with it and has to lie in the bed she made for herself. Plus, her having a low CHA score doesn't mean she should be having near mental breakdowns at every major town or potential crisis.
>>47968139
Guest characters (to me) are always difficult to get into a group. Everyone knows they're only going to be there for 1-2 sessions, so they don't want to be rude and turn away their character. At the same time they can't just hand-wave them in and be all buddy-buddy with them right away. For home games it's not a problem, for the show there has to be at least a few minutes of "who are you and why should we not kill you" sorts of questions.
As for the guests themselves, my list goes:
Zahra = Kash > Lyra > Gern > Shale > Thorbir > Lillith > Garthok = Kerrek
Mary and Will both have great characters because you can see them enjoying themselves as they play, which carries over into reinforcing their character's personalities.
Lyra is an interesting character concept, but dear god would you not want that bookworm to be part of your actual gaming group. Day played an annoying ass woman in the game and was totally fine with it because she knew everyone was going to hate her (the fans and the players).
Gern's a fun dude who helped Matt story build a bit.
Shale (played by Chris Perkins) is another example of a character concept that is fine in small doses, not over the course of a full campaign. Plus, having Chris be in even one episode is some pretty big credence to your skills as a DM (arguably, in terms of celebrity DMs you want Chris or Matt).
Thorbir was another character concept, only Wil didn't do as good with displaying that character's motives. Plus, the Wheaton curse is real.
Lillith (the one played by their official artist) was fun, but was more-so of a, "I just happened to saw what was going down" sort of situation.
The last two just didn't get enough time to do stuff thanks to how the plot progressed (though there's no way in hell Kerrek is a level 5 Human Paladin with those stats barring some insane rolls, which I don't think Matt does for people joining his game).
>>47963899
>ll the guys including the dm are either cool, charming, non autistic, and look like they regularly see a salon. And all the girls (assuming you're lucky enough to even have any girls in your group) look like underwear models or actresses
My gaming group is kinda like that, but the girls in your pic don't really look like underwear models.
>>47968264
Vex just likes Percy because he keeps making cool things for her to use (explosive arrows, a seat for the broom, etc.).
If anything, Percy's probably an idiot and doesn't realize that someone else has their eye on him.
>>47969428
Yea thats the main gripe. It was quite clear that no one wanted Orion to devote so much time to what was just shopping. The death ray itself wasn't so egregious, mainly just how much time it wasted even when people we're all but telling Orion to hurry the fuck up so the audience doesn't get bored (and then explicitly telling him when Travis blew up at him)
>>47969582
Exactly. Any sort of "shopping episode" is terrible for any group, whether it's your local game or one on a show. And everyone knew how it could drag on, so they were trying to quickly handwave it, as they had a week of in-game time to do whatever before departing.
It's just that Orion was trying to be a metagaming prick and when Matt was politely telling him 'no' he wasn't picking up on it.
Also, the whole 'Percy builds a Death Ray' thing took all of 10-15 minutes, and most of it was just dice rolls by Taliesin with Matt giving a bit of detail on the results of each roll. Not to mention that it made sense for Percy to know more about vampires than Orion, because he saw the BBEGs destroy his family in his backstory and barely escaped with his life, with the sole thought of revenge on his mind. So it'd make sense that once he realized what the BBEG was, for him to try and make a tool to combat that foe.
Also, I do like how Matt basically said, "the theory is sound for the Death Ray thanks to this being a world of magic and you experimenting with trying to make technomagic a thing, but you need to be a higher level to have a real chance of succeeding at making it."
>>47967871
Funny how he didn't "have time" for critical role but had time for this
>>47971128
Holy shit, I thought he was going to set up a different game. He seriously made a Draconia audio series where he is half the cast? Holy shit.
I legit can't stand Marisha
>>47963899
They're all nu-geeks. I.E. people who make their livings pretending to like the "geeky" stuff loners and virgins do to make a quick buck out of the fandom they create around them.
In this particular case, Critical Role, LITERALLY is a bunch of D Rated actors living in the San Francisco region that were hired to play tabletop games for your enjoyment,
Tiers:
Sam > Travis > Taliesin > Laura > Ashley > Liam > Marisha
Sam and Travis are legit god-tier players. Taliesin started off a little flat but around about the Slayer's Take arc he really started coming into his own. Laura plays her character well, Ashley is okay but is pretty hit and miss with attendance so that affects how she plays. Liam is a decent guy but he's playing an edgelord and tends to try to shoehorn everything into being darker and edgier. Marisha's just painful.
>>47971512
I think Liam has gotten a little better. But when he forced to party to go to Vasselheim after they killed Umbrasyl for "muh reasons" that was pretty bad.
>>47971512
I swear I am the only one on /tg/ that likes Marisha in the mix, but that fucking post Umbrasyl episode whining about "we are not heroes" bullshit is the worst.
>>47971428
I don't think anything you posted is accurate.
>>47971428
>muh secret subculture
>muh cultural appropriation
Kill yourself
>>47963899
My 3.0/3.5/PF group during the years was made of people nerdy only "inside". All crazy for geeky things but just one with the usual nerd "drawbacks". Other became professionals of several kind, often computer related. Or academics, or musicians.
We are not the most elegant people of the bunch but many are fit and regularly train, run, lift, play volleyball or something.
You can be nerd without being an autistic loser.
BTW, this is maybe why we made 3.X work. The level of autism of this board would not allow it.
>>47967006
is this for real? I mean I don't blame matt at all, she's top tier cutie with nice body face and tits, but even still, matt always seemed so by-the-book at the table that it surprises me he got reeled in by the most meta of the players.
But then again, I figured someone had got him cause he is pretty good looking and charming and I'm not even remotely gay saying this. I'm sure all the girls tried to get him at some point.
>>47972215
Matt and Marisha have been a couple for ages, same as Laura and Travis. If I recall, Ashley and Sam have had an on-again-off-again thing for a while as well. Liam's got kids. The only real /tg/ tier one was Orion.
>>47963899
I tried to watch that show, it's so... awful...
I think I'd like it if I didn't have so much experience playing with people who are enjoyable to be around.
>>47971428
>D Rated actors hired to play tabletop games for my enjoyment
People like fake things, do you not like movies?
>>47972322
dam. Now I'm even more sad I'll never have a 10 hottie at my table, and never EVER have one that wants to continue the game after session on a date. :(
>>47971621
no I love marisha. And not just for her face and body )although when she wears the tight shirts its pretty distracting). I love playing druids and it does pain me when I see her not playing one to its fullest, but she's so quirky and pretty I can ignore it. I know I'm pathetic.
You do realize they do this half for the entertainment of others, and the money that comes with it, right?
When I'm working, or in any situation where I want to leave a good impression, of course I'm going to be well dressed, and smiling. But when I'm hanging out with old friends on the weekend, why bother dressing like you're going on a date? They're your friends, they shouldn't judge you for wanting to wear a T shirt, shorts, and not wanting to shave or comb your hair.
That being said if my group (and any group without autismos) wanted to, we could be well dressed like these guys.
>>47971361
I watched the first episode to give him the benefit of the doubt. It was cringeworthy and full of Orion waving his dick around
>>47971128
>Dragonborn
>Tails
Into the trash it goes.
>>47973498
>not playing Dragonborn with a mix of no tails, tails, no tails + vestigial wings, or tails + vestigial wings.
It's like you don't want them to be freaks.
>>47969490
I think my list is:
Sam>Travis>>Liam>Laura=Ashley>Taliesin>>>>>Marisha
>>47963899
I had a fun mixed gender group in my summer after high school -> my first year of college. We didn't have hair and makeup crews dolling us up before each shoot, but it was fun and light and we played a bunch of different systems.
>>47964128
>>47964223
>>47964279
They are voice actors living in Hollywood. It is an entertainment/improv device.
>>47968021
That clip shows exactly why I hate Marisha, she sounds so forced
>all these shallow fucks who complain about their lack of attractive players, brag about their players supposed good looks, and just generally being garbage monsters.
>>47972386
Pitch Black doesn't pretend it's a documentary.
just came in here to tell you guys, that the best TRPG being played online is Swan Song.
thank you.
>>47965996
I'm not even a girl and I still refuse to play at FLGSs. For fuck's sake, the people there are unbearable.
It's seemingly ded now, but my favorite tabletop group by far is the Adventure Bastards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YMzcv9_rVk
It was a group of normal UK lads playing Call of Cthulhu as their first RPG, and it was fucking hilarious. Very little inter-character dialogue or roleplaying, but a glorious rollercoaster of incompetence. Whereas CR more or less succeeds at everything they do, the Bastards constantly fuck up and pay the price.
At one point, they get an entire cruise ship full of innocent people eaten(or worse) by some Old One while they desperately paddled away in a lifeboat.
>>47963899
My question is, what kind of bridge trolls are you playing with if you find those people cool and well groomed? Not to mention the grills, they're completely average.
>>47979047
You should see some of the other groups on youtube. Dicestormers and GuildofFools, for example.
Adventure Bastards and Crit Role are the only two groups I've seen that are both enjoyable to watch and not weird looking or autistic.
My group is easily this cool git gud
>>47972482
Marisha dolled herself up for the first episode or two, but after that she's shown up almost exclusively in what looks like an outfit she sleeps in. Not saying I have a problem with that.
>>47972215
I believe Marisha was just going to be like the DM's assistant, but they asked her to join them instead, probably because having someone stand around doing nothing half the time would've been distracting and awkward. Amusingly, her character ended up that way, anyways.
>>47972322
I'm pretty sure Sam is married and has kids. I could be wrong, but he wears a ring and I vaguely recall him mentioning getting home to see his wife during a Critmas or two.
>>47969624
My favorite moment was when Vax said Jenga in the earring and they all ran to find him before the Briarwoods killed him, and even though Tiberius had zero reason to think the Briarwoods were/had vampires, nor was it established that his character knew a vampire's weakness to running water, whilst flying to Vax's location he was rubbing his decanter of endless water. Matt clearly picked up on it, as he suggested Orion move himself an extra space to place himself in line of sight of Lady Briarwood, who promptly cast Feeblemind on him.
>>47972322
>Ashley and Sam have had an on-again-off-again thing
This is a meme. Sam is married and I believe Ashley has a boyfriend.
>>47964512
Actor here. I've always been into vidya and got into tabletop a bit before I went to college. Mostly 40k, but when I do roleplay, I treat it like a role. That means backstory with motivation.I'm also constantly preaching that motive makes better characters.
Anywho, tons of other actors I know play too.
Say what you will about Critical Role, but at the end of the day, Matt is the best of them, because he is the only one that is definitely, proudly, and unironically a fa/tg/uy.
>>47982649
Aye, that's true. He used local jargon in his videos on DMing ('murderhobos', 'grognard', etc.) and openly said on some convent panel that he pretty much grew up on 4chan and SomethingAwful (that was said while praising Reddit community for their openness and kindness, though). Fa/tg/uy ascended. Many a man here would be way better off taking him as an example.
>>47982877
>openly said on some convent panel that he pretty much grew up on 4chan
I want to believe.
You guys are seriously all sperglords with sperglord friends huh?
>>47980760
>Matt clearly picked up on it, as he suggested Orion move himself an extra space to place himself in line of sight of Lady Briarwood, who promptly cast Feeblemind on him.
what episode was this? I want to watch that again
>>47982877
I didn't actually know that, but that's cool. I was just making reference to the fact that he actually cares about all the same stuff we do.
>>47964491
>... EVERYONE is being paid, likely. Or compensated for their time somehow. Or offered a share of the profits, if and when they occur. They are also, almost certainly, all real friends of Mercer.
They're all friends, voice acting is a pretty small scene. Travis and Laura are married, Marisha and Mercer are in a long-term relationship. Originally the game supposedly started as a one shot for Liam, a birthday present, and turned into an ongoing PF campaign. They used to hang out at Travis and Laura's house and play there, then they decided, or were approached, I'm not sure, to start broadcasting it with Geek and Sundry to raise money for a charity. That's when they switched to 5E, and where I think all or most of the money goes to. Or various charities, I'm not sure any more.
>>47965239
>If you don't know how nonsensical it is for 8 successful voice actors to spend that much time rehearsing a live D&D game
Given the average voice actor's schedule, I'd be surprised that they could find the time to rehearse.
>>47983351
That's the point.
>>47967187
Occasionally you can see Travis getting annoyed with people just talkin or endlessly discussing what to do next when they can't decide. And he's definitely smarter than the rest of them, which is why playing a 6 INT barbarian is so funny.
>>47967620
Taliesin does not like the spotlight. He kind of cringes when he has to be in it for long.
>>47982983
Here you go, senpai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPrb6VTcKrg
Somewhere around the middle of the video, can't be bothered to look for exact timestamp. People mention it in comments too.
>>47983571
I agree with him being smarter than the rest. I would love if he played an older fighter like a retired captain or something. That way he could still RIP AND TEAR but still tell the others how to approach things
because right now the only planners are Sam who is good but no one takes him seriously and Taliesin, who seems to think he's a supreme tactical genius
>>47983755
>Taliesin, who seems to think he's a supreme tactical genius
I still give him the benefit of the doubt here, i feel like it's entirely in character to think his absurd ideas are genius, and when they DON'T work he is 100% ok with that and has fun with it.
>>47983697
>>47982983
Nvm, found it. 39:30
https://youtu.be/nPrb6VTcKrg?t=2370
>>47964491
>tfw one of the new guys in a group I took over GMing brought his girlfriend unannounced
>she's a far better player than most of the other guys and girls there
>>47963899
None of these people are cool. Nerd.
>>47963899
Make more interesting friends, anon. Take a shower at least once a day, get a haircut, eat healthier, and put yourself out there once in a while. You'll make new friends quickly, and then one day ask if they want to play with you. If not, that's fine, but if they're interested then delightful. The reason Crit Role works is because everyone involved is a well adjusted, successful adult. Usually the latter follows the former, so just try to adjust to the real world and everything should work fine.
>>47983755
>nobody can Id anti-screwing glyphs
>Travis rolls a nat20
>Matt can't figure out what to do, tries to pass it off as remembering prior exposure
>Travis is just "this room dun like bein' looked at"
>>47964458
You have to be 18 to post here, friend
>>47983991
>screwing
Fuck you autocorrect.
>mansion full of chickens
>giant painting of scanlan and pike riding a stallion across a flowing field
>"all purpose room"
>slave ghosts
Why is Sam so perfect?
>>47984529
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqwv2ZgHkI
Sam truly is god-tier
>>47983134
Episode 25 - Crimson Diplomacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrrB_q-V8G0
Actually, at 46 minutes, he says he's doing it directly to Matt. At 1h6m, he gets into the room but can barely see anything, so he charges the decanter, and Matt tells him he can use his Action to dash in front of the window so he can see them, and he does.At 1h28m, Delilah looks at Tiberius and proceeds to Feeblemind him.
>>47984529
>Magical turds of scrying
>Shits on a random guest bed
>Shoots lightning from his penis
>Tries to bed his estranged daughter
>>47982877
he was talking about the critical role community on reddit in particular, not reddit in general
>>47984529
Hometown folk hero of Fabio, too.
>wants to commission a painting
>how big
>how big is our dining hall's wall?
Probably my favorite thing with Scanlan is that he knows exactly when to pull out his badass self and just wreck shit in his usual bardic flair.
The best example is during the Briarwood arc, where he goes to torch a lieutenant of the BBEG's house, only to find an ambush after herniated through the door as a polymorphed triceratops (which he succeeded a skill check on to turn into).
He wrecks the dining hall, skitters his way out the window (after dropping the form), dimension doors to the roof, quaffs a bottle of firebreathing and shoots inside the open windows and hatches to set the place ablaze. Then the lieutenant shows up on the roof as the house goes up in fire, and Scanlan succeeds in escaping via a combination of Bigby's Hand and shoving the guy off the roof with said hand.
And no one will ever believe him about being a badass, because it's the silly bard hyping up the story, no way any of that is true.
>>47964491
Myself- A fat dude with a neckbeard that I braid because I think it looks like a viking but I look like an amish man with a dreadlock beard and I think I'm charismatic
My girlfriend- a bulemic skinny autismo girl who dresses goth
Roomate- A le classy fedora wearing gentlemen
A friend- Manlet jewfro
DM's girlfriend- SJW dyke haircut and fat
the DM- hipster tattooed degenerate
don't believe the /tg/ delusions lads
>>47986283
It helps that he is generous with his money to NPCs, it makes things like that work out because they have reason beyond lel charisma to actually like him and do things for him.
Does anyone know what this shirt is referencing? It looks super familiar.
>>47988401
Looks like Mario 2, you faggot.
>>47964334
They arent paid, this is their game from before they got famous with it- they're friends
>>47988509
They are paid. Just not very much.
>>47969561
The artist drew her character Lilith naked (check paheal). That gives her some points with me.
>>47964750
Why do people always post this image when they're saying something completely retarded? Is this a new meme?
>>47988401
It's a Mario Phanto shirt from fangamer. He wears a bunch of their stuff.
>>47971361
Thats the most "That guy" thing iv ever heard.
If I wanted to give this show a shot where should i start?
I feel like the obvious answer is the beginning
>>47963899
Come on, the girls aren't exactly underwear models, and the guys aren't nearly as flawless as you say.
I'd say there's plenty of game groups out there sort of like theirs, but usually with 4-6 players instead of 8. (GM included).
>>47989025
I'd say it depends on how fast you want to catch up to the livestream. Episode 40 is the start of the current storyline, so there isn't too bad. I'd say watch all of them at your own pace, although 50+ episodes at 3-4 hours each is a lot to get through.
>>47983991
When did this happen?
>>47986477
I loved when that happened
>>47963899
It is literally a paid advertizment that the DM, who enjoys the game, actually said "Might as well get paid to do somthing I like.".
They are reined in ALOT. You can tell when sometimes they let something slip. The story can never go beyond pg-13 (you can tell this in how hard Matt railroads.), and because of that, you get a homogenous experience easy to aim for but impossible to copy in the "real" world.
Its an endorsement deal. They get dressed up and while they might be having fun, they are prepped ahead of time to do it for the audience. Getting paid to play pretend isnt a bad deal.
That being said, groups come in all sizes in non e-famouse groups. My group consists of 3 lifting males and 2 females who regularly hit the gym and take care of themselves. We also just happen to like role playing and video games. Everyone of you can have both as a hobby.
>>47964334
what the fuck
i would strongly recommend getting laid
>>47963899
It's all staged
>>47964491
>I'll take "Things that never happened" for $300 Alex
>>47983986
It always seems weird when I see "shower daily" and a haircut as advice. I live in a tropical country so you pretty much need to shower daily in order to not feel like a hobo, and long hair is hell during summer.
>>47989719
Sounds like it if your home hits anything above 30C+ on more than just a few days a year. I guess you could probably get away with fewer showers and haircuts if you're from a cooler country, but that doesn't mean you should use that as an excuse not to.
>>47989107
I just throw it on in the background while I work and do other shit. Makes for decent enough listening.
>>47989072
desu senpai Laura turns into a sex bomb when she wears her glasses and pulls her hair over one shoulder.
>>47989072
They are all semi attractive, but not beautiful. They try, and take care offer themselves, so they look good.
I am glad there is a critical role thread. Do you guys think it'd be possible to just to tune in to the next episode? Because I like it but I simply don't have the time to watch and appreciate every episode.
>>47964411
I'm friends with a few of these people IRL. They actually are serious nerds. They LARP from time to time, and I've played a few Warmahordes games with them too.
>>47990400
I mean, you could, but it'd make a hundred times more sense to watch them from beginning to end.
A three hour episode is a three hour episode, regardless of whether it's the latest or not. You aren't saving time by skipping over previous entries.
Is the adventure zone good? Episode 1 was funny but the dad was kind of not. I don't mind if he's quiet, I just don't want him to be cringey.
>>47991041
Their dad is the best part. Later on he seduces something that it should not be possible to seduce, it's fantastic.
>>47991082
Omay. They seem like cool people. Thanks.
>June 3. 2016
>Marisha makes a non sequitur "this. is. [x]!" joke
it hurts
it hurts so much
someone make it stop
I don't know what Critical Role is, but the people I GM for are bunch of very smart, fairly high achieving and socially very competent people. Most of them are post grads in the departments of anthropology, religionistics or linguistics, the sort of "coffee house intellectuals" people in slightly hipster clothes you'd see sipping wine in an old coffee shop late at night talking about theater. Almost all of them are in long term relationships too. I guess a lot of people around here would judge them as pretentious hipsters at worst.
They are pretty damn nerdy when it comes to interests, but they mostly combine their nerdy hobbies with academic interests and work and you would probably never judge them as such on first glance.
>>47989886
YES THIS!!
I'm sure you can find porn star look-a-likes for the entire group if you try hard enough, but laura with her glasses on looks literally, and I mean LITERALLY exactly like a porn star named ava taylor. Who btw, is mind blowingly hot. Travis, you're a lucky barbarian you bastard.
>>47991041
>>47991082
Seconding this. They all work really well together, my favorite is Taako
>>47989332
When they returned to Emon after saving Whitestone and that old elf guy was outed as a Briarwood spy. They went and examined his room and Grog rolled Investigation for the lulz.
It's Episode 37 - A Musician's Nostalgia.
>>47990400
It's decent timing. The last episode ended with them teleporting to the Feywild in search of an ancient artifact. Essentially, the first foot into a new mini-arc. If you don't mind being spoiled about bigger things in the story, then I see no reason why not.
>>47963899
>You will never have Liam O Brian in your group
>>47992741
that and percy really do make me sad as fuck. Thanks friendo. :(
>>47991041
Chapter 1 is good, Chapter 2 is out fucking standing, Chapter 3 starts great and ends good, Chapter 4 is meh, Chapter 5 has a lot of potential.
>>47991041
Forewarning; you're going to figure shit out before they manage to and it's going to be fucking irritating.
>all these fa/tg/uys bitter about people with good groups
The key to having cool and good players is being a cool and good person. It's really not that far out of reach.
>>47964411
>I know literally nothing about this show but I'm going to shitpost anyways
I suppose I can't stop you
>>47966838
You need to be 18 to post here lad
>>47972482
If you don't shave and comb your hair in the normal course of living, you should take a good look at yourself.
Nothing bad with shorts though. They're comfortable and easy to wear.
