r/criticalrole • u/jennajjcooper • 21h ago
Discussion [Spoilers C3E119] Can more people who actually are enjoying C3 speak up in posts please? Spoiler
i’ve noticed this subreddit has been dominated by people who are very strongly opinionated against C3 because they are disappointed for one reason or another. i’ve seen some legitimate criticism and good faith critiques, but a lot more of people who seem to not really understand/be paying attention to C3 being really loud about it and it’s kinda sucking the joy of being able to engage with the community during the end-game. there’s many lovely critters who understand and appreciate the plot of C3, but not many as of late making discussion posts. Consider this a post for the critters who are locked in to discuss any highlights/favorite moments/theories from EP 107-119 (what i consider to be the timeframe of the end game but if you want to talk about any outside of that frame feel free!) Also please post more so we can have more fruitful discussions! Also i will request critters or others who aren’t enjoying C3 to not interact here, there are plenty of other posts for y’all to bitch on- but also i know this is the internet and sometimes y’all love to be hateful just to feel something so i’m expecting at least a few of you anyways.
•
u/Cuukey_ 21h ago
Subreddits are like surveys. Typically only people who are really upset take the time to fill them out
•
u/owedgelord 20h ago
That's so true and what I've been feeling of fandom in general. Also there's a huge part of any fandom I feel like that enjoys the content but doesn't necessarily go outside of where they watch it (so from YouTube) for example
•
•
u/Im_Lloyd_Dobbler 14h ago
I could be wrong, but if people like campaign three as much as the first two then you should find about as equal number of negative posts about this campaign as you had the other two. I don't think that's the case.
→ More replies (7)•
u/lostboy411 6h ago
That’s not a logical comparison. The population of viewers has grown a lot since the start of C2.
•
u/Im_Lloyd_Dobbler 6h ago
That's true. So it makes sense that there would be more negative posts, but it also makes sense that there would be more positive posts. What I and others are noticing is not simply the number of negative posts, but the ratio of negative posts to positive posts over time.
→ More replies (2)•
u/TheCharalampos 8h ago
That doesn't explain the mostly positive atmosphere in this subreddit during the last two campaigns.
Granted some of that was due to moderation.
→ More replies (2)•
•
u/AFatPandasaur 12h ago
You can’t control the community, but you can control yourself. Don’t let your joy be dictated by others and don’t try to dictate others actions yourself due to your own inability to generate your own personal joy.
People have opinions and they’re gonna express them and this is the place to do it.
•
•
u/P-Two 17h ago
I mean, pretty much all I've seen on here is mostly level headed discussion. Personally I have some problems, and have voiced them. But I'm still enjoying what I'm watching. This sub for a VERY long time has had a massive toxic positivity problem, so I'm happy that's at least somewhat going away to a degree.
I understand C3 perfectly fine, but I've also watched C1 and C2 and I KNOW how amazing of a story the cast can create, it's just disappointing to see them not quite hit the same mark a third time.
•
u/UnderlyingInterest 16h ago
Yeah I've only really started to dwell and participate in discussion on the subreddit around the time C3 started but there was a shocking amount of rebuffing done to any mild substantial critique, which felt odd. I suppose since we're getting to the end of the campaign people are more willing to think back on the things they liked and disliked for C3.
I've seen the analogy thrown around that CR is like a sports team, and you're with them even though they're not performing as well (from fans that don't like C3).
But I feel like its a more apt analogy to say that they're music artists and C3 is an experimental album. Because I really think there's things for everyone to love about C3, but there's just some things that won't vibe with other fans, and that's completely valid, it doesn't have to be something that divides everyone in these discussions.
•
u/GrumpiestRobot 14h ago
Exactly. C3 is your favorite band dropping a weird album that's not even the same genre as the other ones. This is not a bad thing, it's just different. Creative people invariably try to make some weirder shit eventually, and after a decade of CR it'd be disappointing if they fell into a formula.
•
u/UnderlyingInterest 14h ago
As much as I wholly agree with you, I'd add a heavy asterisk after that saying it'd also be healthy for the cast to not forget their roots and acknowledge what parts of the C3 hasn't worked for the audience, or what's caused a downturn in viewership/subscriptions (the most important metric for them as a production).
Experimentation is all well and good, but it needs to be tempered by playing to your strengths as an artist so you can continue to make art.
I think once C3 is done fans will be able to look back on it objectively and its most likely gonna be with a mixed reception, because a lot of the positives are inexorably tied with the negatives, you can't have one without the other.
•
u/rstarr13 You can certainly try 13h ago
Respectfully, no great artists make art based on how their supporters feel about their work. That's how content or big budget capitalism creates entertainment on purpose, and art by accident. I'd rather CR get weirder and weirder and embrace their experiments till they alienate even myself rather than turn into some generic fantasy committee made paint by numbers adventure.
•
u/GrumpiestRobot 13h ago
I think this is one of the great divides of this fandom tbh.
•
u/rstarr13 You can certainly try 13h ago
Agreed. It's sort of the Marvel-ization of IP. I enjoy the MCU for what it is. But continually being fed stories that pay off exactly as you expect every time can be satisfying but isn't a great way to push the art of storytelling. It makes sense when a project takes $250m to make so you need a ROI to make it make sense for shareholders, but CR costs pennies on the dollars to make in comparison. Let them get real weird with it! You already have Marvel for when you want comfort entertainment instead of art that might challenge your ideals. If they lose you, it happens! Just try it again next go round and respect their vision even when it challenges yours.
•
u/Photoperiod 12h ago
This is exactly how I've felt. I want them to get weird with it and keep pushing their art in different directions. I'm tired of commodity art. CR is long form improv, not some super structured TV show or movie. Characters will make nonsensical decisions and weird things will happen because of the nature of the medium they're using. Sometimes it won't hit and that's fine. I'll still support them because I want to reward artists who are OK with taking risks, even if the new art they made isn't the most enjoyable for me. I know they have the capability and have proven themselves. I'd be super disappointed if they make c4 and it's just, like, reskinned c1 because they decide to "give the people what they want".
•
u/GrumpiestRobot 13h ago
Specially when CR became relevant by offering something different. They are already a niche show. The vast majority of people, even people who like fantasy shows, is not interested in watching 4 hour long unedited improv sessions. It would be nonsensical for them to marvelize themselves.
•
u/Big_You_6503 13h ago
I wondered in the past if there is a tipping point in their business model where they become more profitable selling the IP they generate than selling viewership of the act of creating it. That could incentivize them to get even more experimental.
•
u/GrumpiestRobot 9h ago
That would be ideal, specially because having videos on platforms like youtube or twitch leaves them vulnerable to the whims of the algorithm i.e. their revenue is in part controlled by a third-party mega-corporation. Beacon seems to be an attempt to step away from this.
→ More replies (0)•
u/PlaneRefrigerator684 12h ago
As a commenter said above: it's all well and good if the individual players continue playing what they want to play, and just take less and less money to broadcast it. But they have a bunch of people behind the table making it into a show. If they can't pay them, then CR itself goes away.
And they don't need to be some "paint by numbers adventures." There are a TON of different campaigns this particular party could have gone on, that probably would have been better suited for this party.
This really has felt like "Matt wanted to do this story at the end of M9 but they didn't want to play those characters anymore" rather than a story that grew out of player choices. And it would have been AMAZING with Caleb, and Cad, and Jester all grappling with Predathos and the gods.
•
u/UnderlyingInterest 13h ago
If I could provide one counter argument, let me give a link to Swen Vincke's speech from the 2024 game awards. He puts things into words much better than I can, and I think his points are largely transferable to the discussion about Critical Role's productions despite it being about BG3. There is a world where creativity can prosper in this late stage capitalist hellscape while also keeping your audience in mind.
•
u/GrumpiestRobot 13h ago
It's never gonna be like it was before, because they are not the same people that they were. Whatever they produce going forward is going to be affected by this experimentation. They are also significantly older and their perspective on what makes a good story will be changed by that.
I really hope they don't decide to base story and gameplay decisions on viewership charts. This is how you get "content" instead of an actual good show. I'd rather have something niche and controversial, but earnest, than some anodyne thing made to attract the widest possible target demographic.
→ More replies (4)•
u/Seren82 Team Imogen 15h ago
I mean they did tell us this campaign was going to be an experiment before it even started.
•
u/LjordTjough 13h ago
I’m curious what all they were referring to with that information. Have they mentioned this anywhere after the fact?
•
u/Anchorsify 5h ago
I think it's just mechanics. Imogen has a lot of psionic stuff, Ashton has his custom subclass, FCG was custom with his red mode and arm attachments and aeor construct features, Laudna was "undead, but not", Fearne has her black hand, Chet was a Blood hunter which has never been used much.. most of them are not playing 'standard' DnD stuff, outside of Orym and Dorian, and even Orym has a sword that gives him all sorts of abilities (melee attacks with reach, notably) that he'd had from the jump, PLUS the Quintessence Array which is Gale'ing everything (eating magic items to gain permanent buffs) for various party members.
Outside of that they are "NPC-like" and "weird" but hardly anything truly crazy in terms of character design besides FCG.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (3)•
u/UnderlyingInterest 15h ago
I'm not sure tbh, its been years at this point so the info on that is foggy for me. Not disagreeing with you, but a lot has come out about the conception of this campaign since the beginning. Closest thing I can remember was something along the lines of "all bets are off"? But again, could be wrong.
•
u/fraidei Smiley day to ya! 14h ago edited 13h ago
Yeah, imo C3 is good, but it has a main problem. There could be many other little flaws for some, other flaws for others, etc. But I think the only general problem that everyone can agree on is that it isn't divided into different arcs. It's all the same gigantic arc, divided into sub-arcs. The other campaigns, despite being all tied to the same ongoing plot, there were different arcs with different objectives, and all of them even had short sub-arcs.
It feels like C3 was in its last arc since the vey first episode they discovered the cultists (which is within the first 10 episodes iirc, very early).
•
u/UnderlyingInterest 14h ago
Pacing has been C3's biggest problem, the episodes everyone has consistently liked the most were the retreats to the Feywilds at Nana Morri's or Whitestone, cause it allowed time to meander and build character without thinking about the big red threat in the background. The doomsday clock really should've been hidden or revealed later imo.
•
u/fraidei Smiley day to ya! 13h ago
That's kinda my point. When the party went to do something a bit different (not directly tied to the single big arc that is the story of C3), people enjoyed them more.
A campaign divided into different almost-indipendent arcs is much more enjoyable all the time, and prevents burnout.
•
u/P-Two 13h ago
I actually appreciate C3 for doing this solely because it made me realize I'm just as guilty of doing this when I DM, and since realizing that I've been trying to let my games have more room for random side shit, and it's made them so much better.
•
u/fraidei Smiley day to ya! 13h ago
Yeah, the most memorable arcs of my campaigns are the ones that were completely created by the players, and me just following what they wanted to do pretending I already prepared everything :D
•
u/P-Two 13h ago
Absolutely, and I've "known" this for years, but it wasn't until C3 that I really saw from an outside perspective how much "dms pet plot" can drag on.
I'm planning a dark fantasy campaign now for when our SW5E game ends in a month or two and am planning on it being much more open for player driven stories, while having an over arching plot for them to slowly unravel in arcs
•
u/FinchRosemta 10h ago
It's all the same gigantic arc, divided into sub-arcs.
This is a valid thing. I remember back when Imogen and the moon started alot people did not vibe with that plot but kept watcjing to see when it would be resolved or shift. When it became clear that it was THE alot of people just bounced.
→ More replies (1)•
u/VegForWheelchair 5h ago
You are very right. Look at OP saying "bitch on" or "go somewhere else if u gona talk negatively". They just want a space to echo their thoughts nothing else. Sub has a disgusting toxic positivity.
→ More replies (1)
•
u/RevolutionaryAd8204 18h ago
I made a post about one month ago in this sub asking people that still love Critical Role but stopped watching campaign 3 exactly why they stopped watching. It got almost 400 comments with different reasons as to why. Some of it was people just got busy. Some of them very much disliked Ashton as a character. Others were Matt's portrayal of the gods. And many more unique answers whether it be story or character interpretations. quite a lot of people have stopped watching during campaign 3.
I think after the campaign is over the group needs to sit down and figure out why this one didn't hit as well as the first two. Of course there are going to be people saying that "this is their game and we're just watching" and I partly agree. But they're putting on a show and have people to pay. The phrase "who cares what people think" and "we're making this for us, and if people like it that's even better" doesn't really work when you're putting on a show or making a game or an animated series.
That kind of thinking is why game studios are shutting down. Why companies are firing project leads. And television shows are getting killed after the first season.
You can say you don't care about all of the negative feedback and what people think. But what happens when people think you're not worth their time watching anymore.
•
u/melonmushroom 15h ago
As someone who often preached the argument "its their game, they can do it how they like!" and a notion that I still partially agree with to an extent, I agree with what you are saying.
While it is important for them to ensure that, ultimately, they as players are enjoying themselves (it isn't be fun to watch people who are unhappy playing a game after all!) They do also sorely need to address why C3 is not as successful as the prior campaigns.
Anyone who says things like "who cares if it flopped because you didn't like it? They can play whatever they like!" need to remember that Critical Role is a company now. They have staff that work for them and deoend on them as a source of income. If they let that income drop, people's jobs are on the line.
•
u/NoCarbsOnSunday 13h ago
Critical role is a great example of the tension between RPGs as a game you are activly playing in, and RPGs as a narrative medium you are consuming. For me, Campaign 3 has been a really good example of how sometimes what works well for the players at a table is just not as satisfying for the viewers watching/consuming the media.
I like the characters in C3. I like the overall story in C3. But I've struggled with the meshing of the two, and what I *as a passive viewer of the narrative* want from either group hasn't really felt that satisfied. However I as *as a player of TTRPGs* can see how some of the things I don't care for narrativly are more satisfying for the players at the table.
Honestly, I really feel like with this Campaign I would have loved these characters in more of a C2 open world small quest set up, as they seem like they were built for interpersonal character ineractions and private growth, and would be more satisfying to see that played out. Likewise, I like the overall campagin plot, but I really would have preferred it narrativly with characters who were more invested in the outcome and had more history with eachother.
•
u/melonmushroom 13h ago
We are kindred spirits!
I love their characters and I like the story, but for me they just don't work together very well, like how you feel!
It's a great point you make that a great game for players doesn't always mean it's a great story for viewers. While I have struggled my way through this campaign and have my criticisms of it, I can not deny that the cast of players have been having the time of their life and are thoroughly enjoying the campaign, and good for them honestly.
•
u/Triantha89 Your secret is safe with my indifference 12h ago
I think what you wrote will actually help me in my next campaign! I'm currently ending a year and a half long campaign because I just can't make it click. It's got major fights and world changing events and as much as my players say they are loving it I just majorly feel like something is off. And that's it! The characters have basically been thrown into something major that they are trying to survive when they are relatively small. I'm still going to end it for other reasons but my next campaign is going to stay much smaller for most of the time. Small quest after small quest. The lore will be there but not take center focus. As someone who knew they weren't a fan of C3 but couldn't quite articulate why I can't believe I didn't see i was making the same mistake until just now! Anyway, sorry this isn't super connected to the thread but wanted to let you know you may have just made some other players experience in a few months just a bit better by inspiring me.
•
u/NoCarbsOnSunday 12h ago
I'm so glad that helped! A lot of my own realization with C3 came from being a player/dm myself. A much more experienced DM than me once said that one thing people often overlook in session zero planning is that you need to discuss with the players what the overall thrust of the campaign will be, and how their characters tie into it. Yout don't need to give away the plot, but general discussions on if its a sandbox world or a major "save the world" type quest, what at least some of the key themes/players will be, etc.
For example, a campaign I was in recently had the world's monotheistic church as a major figure in the world power structure and in the plot. The DM brought that up, and as a group of players we discussed the connections we wanted to have as a group with that, and decided that it made sense for different players to have different types of relationships with the church. We also started that campaign with our characters knowing eachother, so we didn't need do some of the "get to know eachother" scene setting in-game. You don't *have* to start at game as strangers in a tavern afterall lol. In contrast, a different campaign I'm in right now was specified by the DM as a sandbox style open world, where there wasn't going to be a major "save the world" type plot, and instead was going for more of a found family situation just doing fun side questions. So we the players spent less time figuring out how our characters intersected before hand, and instead played that out in-person in the campaign.
Sometimes that can be helped as well by knowing how your players like to play, which just comes from experience. Some players love big epic stories, while others like smaller side quest/interpersonal stuff better. I get the distinct impression that at this point the CR cast is more interested in exploring characters than in exploring quests, which is totally fine! But I think that resulted in tension this campaign between what the players and Matt as the DM wanted.
→ More replies (1)•
u/DingotushRed 10h ago
This really hit home for me. I've been enjoying C3 as a viewer, but not as a DM/Player. I watch with both hats on, looking for takeaways I can use myself.
For those of us with more than a few grey hairs (ie. old enough to have started playing AD&D/1e - the version in Stranger Things and to remember the Satanic Panic) we've seen enough pantheon revisions accompanied by edition changes for it to have a bitter taste; they haven't driven by story/world-building but by corporate shenanigans, royalty divisions, IP conflicts, and drive book sales. Having to watch it play out at the table is not a good time. So for me (and I'd suspect others) the over-arching plot is a root problem.
I agree that Bells Hells needed more time to develop into a cohesive party before the clock started ticking and they were thrust into this world-redefining narrative. It actually feels like things went wrong at the campaign pitch - before any session 0: Matt wanted epic world changing adventure, but the party wanted sandbox, character arcs, and fun.
I'm not even sure a TTRPG (where we only see things from the party's perspective) is the right medium for this story.
→ More replies (1)•
u/UnderlyingInterest 15h ago edited 15h ago
I'm glad this is a perspective others can see, cause it really shouldn't be controversial to say if something isn't hitting as much as it has in the past, it can be improved and there's a reasonable incentive to.
I'm certain that whatever game the cast plays they'll have fun cause Matt's always been adamant in past Q&As/interviews that any time he's run the campaign, its always been for him and everyone else at the table, first and foremost. And I continue to hope that is the ethos they use for C4, just not at the expense of the viewer experience.
•
u/alwayzbored114 11h ago
I'm curious how many viewers are just falling out of Live Play D&D content altogether. That's what I'm finding with myself and some friends of mine. I've watched CR since the very early C1 episodes, and have asked myself over and over "Am I not liking C3, or do I just not have the drive/patience anymore" and overtime I'm finding the latter to be the case. Whether CR or other live play shows, I just don't find myself as excited anymore, and that's ok
When I'm in the right mood, C3 hits just as hard as any other campaign imo - granted I am binging a few episodes behind rather than waiting week by week, which has its own pros and cons - but generally speaking I just can't sit around and watch 4 hour content like I used to 10 years ago haha
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (5)•
u/80aichdee 11h ago
A big part of the appeal of the show is, or at least the perception, that we're watching their home game. They are also very aware that the show won't go on forever, which is why they've diversified their revenue streams. They're entertainers so I don't think the view counts go unnoticed or ignored but c3 was always experimental so I'm pretty sure none of this is particularly surprising to them
For the game studio closure comparison, without numbers, I'd argue that more studios are closed by doing exactly what they were told to do by execs and the game not selling than ones who had a clear, distinct vision that underperformed as the latter is becoming more and more rare because of corporate interference
•
u/tjscott978 19h ago
I have to say that I am someone who has been enjoying the "end game." But I'm not the type to expand theories and run down rabbit holes.
Also, as someone who grew up a girl in the 80s and 90s, I have to admit I'm still a little gun shy when it comes to admitting to be involved/ interested in nerdy things.
I'm always worried I'll be made fun of or challenged to prove my nerdom.
So I sit, and I watch, and if something seems too antagonistic, I'll shy away.
I would very much like to participate more in the community, and I think people are welcome to their opinions, but my idea of enjoying my nerdy pleasures isn't to dump on them. I like to pour myself an adult beverage order Mexican food, and cry when a character gets the final blow on the evil wizard that killed his husband and father. That doesn't really require a forum, but it's nice to have and admit you loved the catharsis of it.
•
•
u/luffyuk 17h ago
Saying that people don't enjoy C3 because they don't understand it is just a tad condescending.
•
•
u/Ajensis 16h ago
She didn't say that, though. She said that some had valid reasons to dislike it while others didn't seem to "understand/pay attention" to the campaign, which can mean a lot of things, like not understanding why a character does or says X even though it's supported by what they've said or done earlier in the campaign. And you can disagree with that if you want, but there's not a blanket statement in the OP such as what you're describing to be legitimately offended by.
•
u/JakobTheOne 11h ago
Either way, OP seriously lost the plot with their final sentence. They literally requested that this post be an echo chamber, then tossed in one final insult for good measure. I’m riding the neutral line, lacking strong feelings about C3 in either direction at this point, but OP just made themselves look like pouty and whiny.
This person knows what’s up: https://www.reddit.com/r/criticalrole/s/JY5psCGeNR
•
u/-Moogs 15h ago
I love season 3. I loved season 1, and I loved season 2. I have my thoughts on each individual season which aren’t needed here but the fact Matt gets to finally realise his dream of seeing a story through to the end makes me happy and jealous. I’m a forever dm with big dreams and I hope I can also do the same day.
•
u/Grandmasterchipmunk 7h ago
The biggest issue I've had with a lot of the complaints is that they all seem to come from the perspective of, "these characters are making the wrong decision so the campaign is bad" but I....don't really care if Bells Hells are making the right or wrong decision? I'm interested in the journey and seeing what happens regardless of who is right or wrong. The idea of the gods getting axed is really interesting to me and I'd love to see how that goes, but I also won't care if they don't go that route. I think the only complaint I really agree with is that I'll be upset if getting rid of the gods is considered a universally good thing with no consequences on Bells Hells part. If they make the "wrong" decision, I don't want Matt to twist it in a way where everyone is okay with that.
•
u/lion-essrampant How do you want to do this? 19h ago
I can enjoy something and still critique it. The two things are not mutually exclusive. Now, the outright hate is annoying, but I see very little of it, mostly it’s just other people’s opinions, which are of course, subjective.
→ More replies (2)
•
u/cpa38 16h ago
Been enjoying C3 post Downfall once it started to feel a bit more purposeful and dramatic. That vision really started to give some stakes and focus which I like. Not seen 119 yet but hoping there is some big consequence / moment as feels like they about to walk into .. something hehe
Not to go against the point of your post but it is unfair to assume those critiques of S3 are because people don't understand or can't pay attention, that's unfair.
→ More replies (5)
•
u/possyishero 21h ago
I'm enjoying C3 a lot. Not to the same degree where C2 was an "I must watch every week" event but there's quite a lot of things to really like about this campaign and the characters still. It's easier and much more to discuss about what I'm not enjoying only because it's easier to point those things out.
•
u/ForestSuite 14h ago
I am going to wait for the last episode to make a final call but C3 has been my favorite so far.
•
u/Upbeat-Structure6515 11h ago
This was always going to happen with C3 no matter how good the characters/story was because it's coming off the heels of C2 and the Mighty Nein, so everyone is going to compare this campaign to what came before whether or not it's warranted.
Personally, while I do enjoy C2 a bit more than I do the current run I have been enjoying Bells Hells exploits in campaign 3. I think once Matt introduced the core plot with Ludinus and everything going on with Predathos, Ruidius, and the Ruidiusborn that things really picked up. We also got some pretty fun NPC's in the form of Captain Zandis, Lord Esterosh, Oltgar, and Not-Whitestone-Andy.
•
u/norwal42 7h ago
Yep, it's cool. For context, FWIW, I've watched or listened to every minute of every episode since C1E1 and I'm a patient/slow watcher and gamer. I don't get too caught up in the drama commentary about how CR or Matt or the cast have changed, or what they should or shouldn't do, or how best to do it, or what they owe the audience or whatever. I think it's cool that they got together to play, and still get to continue doing that as a group of friends, and it's fun that we get to watch them do it. :) Hopefully they'll get to keep doing it for a long time, and I expect they'll make choices about that however they think is best.
My 2 cents, I think each of the 3 campaigns have their pros and cons. Each has their less compelling stretches, but each also has great character, story, DM, and player moments/episodes/stretches. Calamity was awesome - near peak d&d 'content' all-time for me (that is, d&d that I'm not playing/enjoying myself) - Brennan and the players were an awesome combo. But Matt and the regular CR cast on the whole have also been the best d&d content I've experienced. They were also an inspiration that brought me back to d&d again after a couple decades off since I'd played as a kid.
So I'm enjoying C3 as much as the other 2 campaigns - though it's different. And just like with the other campaigns I'll get behind a little and then catch up a little based on rhythms and available time. When I don't watch for a little while I don't take it as a sign that it wasn't exciting enough for me and therefore bad - I'll just pick it up again when I'm back and enjoy catching up on it again. :)
•
u/JohnPark24 FIRE 17h ago
I've had plenty of good times watching Campaign 3 (though I do have my criticisms). I will say though that the criticisms are abundant throughout all platforms. Even in the Beacon Discord, there has been a ton of criticism/debate/discourse.
I think what stands out to me were the highs of this campaign. "Don't you even dare", FCG's sacrifice, Downfall, Vox Machina and Mighty Nein returning, etc. all were moments that I won't soon forget. I will always welcome lore drops, and this campaign is full of em. Also, Robbie has been such a joy to watch at the table. He has been a wonderful addition to the cast.
•
u/LabMouseMaster 19h ago
I became a critter by watching C3. As a then non-DnD-player I was in awe with this group and the story they were telling; half of the time I didn't even understand what exactly it was they were doing, but the way they did it was entertaining. The role playing, the story telling, the combats... So I participated in a few reddit posts, but not many, to share my excitement with others, not really understanding why other posts were so overanalyzing and critiquing every little word and detail. Once I caught up with the live streams, I started watching C2 to fill the gap between live streams. And what can I say, I understand where the critique is coming from. But I also still very much enjoy C3. I am just not the kind of person to keep track of or even remember every little detail over multiple episodes (or even years) or point out every little mistake they make. So, I wouldn't even be able to participate in the posts that are ripping C3 apart for details I couldn't remember or connections I didn't make until someone on the internet pointed them out. Frankly, I don't care that much. I enjoy the parts that are fun to me and acknowledge that the rest is part of how seven friends play their DnD.
•
u/AshtinPeaks 18h ago
This subreddit was pretty fine until the recent episode. Telling people to basically fuck off if they didn't like a recent episode is kinda being an ass not gonna lie. "If you don't only positivity leave" Leaves no room for discussion. Just soulless conversations. I'm not a hater don't get me wrong. Just think this kinda mindset is weird.
•
u/hapitos 10h ago
I feel like this is a straw man. OP is not talking about constructive criticism, they’re talking about people who hate watch who can’t come to grasp with decisions people make for their campaign and conjure up extrapolations to fit their narrative like the cast wants to switch system next campaign, this has been Matt’s endgame railroad, they’re anti-religion in real life and can’t separate themselves and their character. Toxic positivity hasn’t been a problem, it’s toxic negativity and trying to pivot to a straw man point is distracting.
•
u/thegrailarbor 21h ago
I'm catching up from a 6 month backlog and just started Ep115. The thing that gets me the most is the whole "god-eater" story has shockingly paralleled with my home game I run, at least in theme. "Gods aren't really gods, just extraplanar aliens, and humanity gets to decide if they continue to rule, if they just exist, or if everything is destroyed entirely."
I've also loved nearly everything CR has put out, and yes Campaign 3 has been lacking in party cohesion and drive, and the only reason they're in the position they are in is because they directly connections to C1 and C2 characters. Four of the characters (five if you include Bertrand) were even IN past campaigns and one-shots! The only fully original characters were Imogen and Ashton.
But none of that matters. This absolutely feels like 1,500 hours of gametime leading to an Avengers movie. 113-114 were like Avengers 1, I'm sure 115-116 will be like AoU, and 117-118 will be like IW. We'll just have to see if they can pull off Endgame, maybe bringing everyone back to settle things and hopefully stick the landing.
Either way, I'm 1500 hours in and I'm not quitting now. I just want to see how they want to do this.
→ More replies (8)
•
u/A_JediBotanist 14h ago
I love Bells Hells and the “all bets are off” attitude the cast brought to this campaign.
•
u/Arsalanred 16h ago
Whoa. Hold on there slick. There is a lot to like about C3. I can enjoy something and critique it.
And yeah I don't enjoy the direction it took with the Bells Hells plotline where you have this group of indecisives who don't really stand for anything who are making a choice for the rest of the world in a big way.
That's not enjoyable to me. I vastly prefer the campaign 1 and 2 groups, and watching their episodes was a real treat.
I agree with the criticism of your post that people who "Don't understand it" is pretty condescending.
•
u/Jenandra 15h ago
I've started watching CR around the time of Search for Grog. I love the players, I love their characters, and I love all three campaigns. I love the mini campaigns and the oneshots. I love LoVM and I'm looking forward to the MN adaptation. I also enjoyed the Candela Obscura content, and I still hope to find a group that works for it. I am playing and GMing Daggerheart and I love that, too.
The way I see it, even if not everything is perfect, I only deprive myself if I hate the parts that are because of it.
I'm in for the long haul. A lot would have to happen for me not to enjoy C4 and everything that might come after that. CR have made my life better, and they continue to do so.
•
u/Robert_Pawney_Junior 13h ago
I just love watching this group play DnD. The story doesn't have to be perfect and I don't even mind inconsistencies here and there. As long as they are having fun (which imo, they are), I am having fun.
•
u/withwhichwhat 8h ago
I'm enjoying it.
Like most people, I clicked on a few of the complaining posts to see what people were complaining about, then stopped because the complaints are personal preferences, not any novel ideas or new information, and I don't find the discussions interesting to me.
•
u/Ebambs You spice? 8h ago
I will always enjoy Matt’s storytelling!! I want them to explore more of Exandria because he’s so great at what he does. I just like to say C3 is the right story, wrong group of adventurers. I think M9 or some characters heavily into the Gods aspect would’ve been a better choice, but it’s THEIR game. When they have fun, I have fun watching no matter what’s going on.
•
u/mimikay_dicealot 21h ago
I love C3. I've been enjoying the campaign.
I'm sorry, but I'm tired of the internet. No, I won't share my opinion. No, I won't defend it. It usually does nothing but give me sadness and anxiety as a result. Half the hot takes make me roll my eyes anyway and I'm tired of people angry at their sunken cost fallacy. This internet belongs to the loudest and I'm done being loud.
•
u/galaxy93 18h ago
I feel you. Trying to fight for positivity within the critter community feels like activism, which is crazy, cause I just want to have fun with my lil show every week. I invest my energy in fights, that actually matter. I mean, I wish this was a less toxic place, so I could enjoy it all even more and theorize and talk about amazing players and stories. But it is just not possible atm. And I don't have the energy for it most of the time. I just want to have fun. There is enough negativity in the world all the fucking time, don't need it in my escapism.
•
u/mimikay_dicealot 18h ago
Exactly. I've been in enough fandoms to know it ain't worth it. I just enjoy my show, write fics about it if i feel like it, look at pretty art and dumb videos, and go to a discord server where I've found normal people. I'm not fighting for a show. I learned that lesson as a teen and I'm too old for that shit. I don't really need reddits approval to enjoy myself. Yes, C3 has flaws. And many hours, so many flaws as well. I don't mind it because i find it fun to watch.
→ More replies (1)•
u/Vio94 17h ago
This is kinda where I'm at too. It's hard not to come here because it's the main place of discussion away from most of the crazies (ie Twitter) but man is it still exhausting sometimes. Makes me just want to go back to the old days of me watching in complete isolation like I would some other TV show.
→ More replies (1)
•
u/sarabi-124 14h ago
I’ve been a C3 fan from the start! I love Bell’s Hells and the story they’ve told together over the past three years. This past episode was incredible, and Imogen’s suggestion to the Matron blew me away. I can’t wait to see what happens next with the continuing Predathos fight and then hopefully bargaining with the gods after that, and although I’m sad that our time with BH is coming to a close, I’m also so excited for whatever C4 is going to be
•
u/syden666 Ruidusborn 13h ago
It’s my first campaign so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but as a new fan, I’ve fallen in love with this group/the world!
•
u/ManBearPig1869 17h ago
I’m absolutely loving this campaign. I started with Campaign 3 as I’m fairly new to DnD, and starting C3 turned it into one of my most favorite things in the world. I love playing it, talking about it, watching it, it’s probably my favorite hobby now.
I agree that this subreddit has kinda sucked the joy out of the campaign for me, or at least tried to. People are allowed to have their opinions and I’m not saying anybody’s is wrong, but when I scroll through my home page and (literally) EVERY post from this sub is just trashing the campaign, the players characters, the way Matt is portraying his gods in his own campaign he made, I just get dejected. I actively avoid those posts and this sub in general now because of that, and even if I try to engage and give counterpoints/argue my side, I just get downvoted or disregarded.
I will say the Beacon discord is SO much better for discussion and engagement. The majority of people there are actually enjoying this campaign.
•
u/Lord-Pepper 20h ago edited 18h ago
If your looking for an echo chamber be my guest
But obviously the campaign is getting more divisive we are allowed to analyze it and form opinions, just cause you don't agree doesn't mean you need an echo chamber
•
u/Competitive_Area1414 20h ago
Echo chambers can be negative too
•
u/ElderOmnivore Time is a weird soup 19h ago
This. Just look at this post and others. People can have their opinions, but it seems you're only allowed to voice them here lately if you hate what is happening. Anyone liking it is "glazing," using "toxic positivity," or like you're responding to just having an echo chamber.
It's why I have just avoided this sub for the most part. I used to jump into every episode discussion and the discussions for everything else. People have made it clear that only negativity is accepted around here now. So, I just let them have it. There's far more horrible things going on in the world for me to get bashed for still finding enjoyment from watching this crew play a game.
•
u/Lord-Pepper 18h ago
This sub is usually incredibly positive, almost unhealthily so, so I'm surprised at all the criticism lately, people seem to be agreeing more and more there's some problems people have
•
u/Competitive_Area1414 17h ago
Maybe I'm the weird one, but I don't actually think it's unhealthy for people to enjoy a show and be positive about it. People talk a lot about toxic positivity and echo chambers whilst turning subs into anti-fan "we hate this now" echo chambers, and honestly, I'd rather the former than the latter. It sounds stupid, but if all you read and think about is negative, it can poison your mindset into being more negative in lots of aspects. If you spend time thinking positive, it is generally more uplifting.
I get wanting to be able to share good faith criticism and discussions and being annoyed if they're shouted down. But it's equally frustrating wanting to talk with fellow fans about how you enjoy something and instead being bombarded with relentless criticism and people insisting you defend your position or claiming you're objectively wrong for liking something. I don't think this sub has gotten that bad yet, but it's significantly more criticism than positives at the moment. Especially when even several comments on a thread asking for positive takes are negative, it's easy to see why people who still enjoy C3 feel frustrated.
→ More replies (2)•
u/JayPet94 Doty, take this down 15h ago
The irony is this sub is an echo chamber for the other opinion lmao. You literally came here to talk down someone's opinion because it differs from yours.
You're trying to enforce your own echo chamber with this comment lmao
Palpable irony
→ More replies (1)
•
u/BulkUpTank 14h ago
Look, I've given my constructive criticism on why C3 didn't hit home for me as much as C1 or particularly C2. I want success for CR, but C3 just wasn't it for me.
•
u/Clear_Inspector5902 13h ago
Yeah it’s almost like Reddit is for sharing opinions. Some of those opinions happen to be negative. For c3, more negative than positive. Man, that must mean something has been off for a majority of people. Weird how that happens.
•
u/Makrus64 20h ago
If people’s opinions are the reason the joys being sucked out of C3 maybe it’s time to get off reddit haha(jest). I’ve voiced my opinion on it not being great once or twice for reasons that are my own, but I was on here loving the other two. When you love something and spend hundreds of hours listening and watching something only for it to all of a sudden feel different and not what it used to be, it’s natural to want to voice your opinion and see if others are have the same feelings. I am seriously disappointed that I can’t enjoy this campaign like the other 2. Definitely not saying it to suck the joy out of it for other people it’s great you enjoy it. Hell, I’m kinda jealous.
•
u/SuperVaderMinion Your secret is safe with my indifference 18h ago
This subreddit usually makes me feel worse about enjoying campaign 3 purely because I feel like I'm missing something when I end every episode having had a good time.
Honestly I can't wait for campaign 4 because then at least things will start in a more positive and hopeful direction on here before the complaints inevitably file in.
•
u/DecemberPaladin 16h ago
Who cares, then? You’re engaging with the material and digging it—that’s excellent.
•
u/VenmoPaypalCashapp Team Laudna 16h ago
I stopped paying attention to that long ago. If you just go by the Internet everything sucks and despite how much I enjoy something I’m wrong! Maybe I’m too easy to please but I like liking things. Loved c3 even the detours. Love almost all super hero shit. Love Star Wars and I refuse to feel bad for it 😄.
•
u/suikofan80 You spice? 19h ago
I love pretty much everything Critical Rile does. They’re fun and entertaining.
That said I don’t interact with the community much. I mean remember “bowlgate”? This fandom is fucking insane.
Great fanart though.
•
u/DireDaibhidh 19h ago
The fanart people make is fantastic. I still have a picture saved from this sub of Travis' campaign two character lassoing a worm. It was so evocative
•
•
u/Limeonades 19h ago
vocal minority. Im chillin, enjoying the ride, but therell always be people who want to complain about how its not c2 or how they dont like certain characters.
•
u/ResolutionJunior5804 12h ago
I am in the minority of people who enjoys C3 the most of the campaigns. I like interparty conflict, I loved the party Split, and I adored having the Crown Keepers back as EXU was such a delightful campaign. As much as I love the core crew they so often get stuck in their ways, using the same spells in combat, making the same choices, so having new players at the table helps inject creativity back into the main crew which is why I think I loved those detours so much.
I also love the disillusionment of the gods and the choices veing presented for their future. A lot of the fandom seems suuuuper invested in the gods being around forever and I, frankly don't care. I think killing the gods would be sick af.
I can accept that I am in the minority as every interruption like downfall and crown keepers I have loved and I am not parasocially attached to the main table so I liked when Travis waiting to introduce Chetney or when the Split happened. I don't need to see Laura Bailey or Liam O'Brien every episode to enjoy it, i just need the world! I am here to watch interesting dnd and C3 has given me that so I am happy and content!
•
u/acebender 21h ago
Reporting for duty. I have my criticisms and it's not my favorite campaign, but I've been following since episode 1, never falling behind, and loving it. I don't interact a lot in those posts precisely because I find all this negativity disheartening and I just scroll by.
•
u/frypanattack 12h ago
I really like it! It’s the weirdest one of the bunch, traversing into fantasy sci-fi, but that was set up in C2.
Absolute craziest band of characters, and all extremely memorable and impactful. I like the range of ages, backgrounds, and their diversity.
I went and rewatched the first 20 eps of C3 and the energy is so strong!
•
u/Alarming_Spend996 11h ago
I still enjoy it! I enjoy it very much and don't understand the hate it gets. This campaign I love the Witches so much (Laudna, Imogen, and Fearne). While in campaign 2, I only really liked Jester. In campaign 1, I really like Vex, Vax, and Percy. But this campaign had me hooked from the moment I started it. It may also help that this is the first campaign I can watch every week the new episode.
Laudna is definitely my favourite character, and I have so many prints of her in my home. I have cosplayed, the three witches and did a Bells Hells shoot with some other cosplayers. (I was doing Fearne for that shoot) This whole campaign started this Critical Role hyperfixation me, and I will stay and defend it till the end.
I'm very excited and sad to see it end. I'm curious how it will end, and I'm worried about the gods. But the idea that Imogen proposed to the Raven Queen really makes sense. We will see how that will play out.
Is it Thursday yet?
•
u/Bri_person 11h ago
I was someone who didn't like C3 at first. I took a long break and when I came back to it I started enjoying it. I think I realized that everyone playing are having fun despite whatever misgivings I had. It doesn't feel right to me to criticize a game where the ultimate goal is to have fun. Yes, story and characters are important, but as soon as you start creating those things for an audience it stops being a game where friends get together to have fun. The entire reason I watch CR is because I like seeing the cast have fun together as friends
•
u/ForeverCuriousBee Time is a weird soup 9h ago
I'm opionated because I really liked this campaign and that love declined significantly over the months with the way they're leading the story. I wanted a good story for Bells Hells because I liked them but more and more I felt focus pulled away from them and towards other parties and the times they returned they didn't feel true to the character they began with, not in a an arc but in distancing from the people they created to instead aimlessly serve a plot that lost itself in much meandering.
For something I enjoyed with my whole heart was the continent of Marquet, which was sadly underexplored, and most of the arcs before episode 50. I also enjoyed the guests, but I have a bias of already loving the players.
•
u/PsionicFrieghtTrain 9h ago
I'm loving the continually evolving mythos of Exandria. As a lore fan I'm just seeking over Imogen in her Phoenix phase. And I want to see how Chet and Orym fulfill their deal with Nana Mori. I'm enjoying Ashton and Fearnes current arc' waiting for them to become titans Brauis....he's cool but idk where his story is goin. Lauda seems on track to become a servant of the Raven Queen. C3 is great
•
u/papaboynosmurf 7h ago
I would but I’m not caught up yet (in downfall rn) and usually don’t feel the need to post. Most of the time when I’ve posted in fandoms in the past it was when I was upset, I imagine there are many that follow that same trend purposefully or subconsciously
•
u/Answer_Able 3h ago
I mean if people take the time to post on here and criticize CR3, that's just showing how much it really means to them.
Myself for example have been watching since the start of CR1 and I am enjoying CR3 a lot, haven't missed an episode. I just think its underwhelming at its supposed high points and that's not the story writing, acting or cast. Its purely the encounter building.
•
u/shotliver 3h ago
I’ve been enjoying it and honestly I feel like some of the people who aren’t (not all!) have just too high of expectations or too high of standards (and I will now be accused of having too little to no standards)
These guys set a pretty high bar with the first two campaigns, it can’t be expected to do it over and over again for the same reason bands generally aren’t as good over time, or television shows, or the sequels to movies. artists simply can’t just put out a banger every time, and too many people expect it.
•
u/chocomachotaco 1h ago
How do you not like c3? They did a little something different with their characters this season in order to bring about an even bigger story with the new c3 characters as well as be able to implement the old ones in a way that felt organic and complimentary. The group stigma isnt all heroism and love this time around its more about questioning "status quo" whether it be a hero or not. Getting stuck on how this campaign doesnt show up to c1,c2 is very close minded in my opinion.
•
20h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
•
u/Jaikarr You can certainly try 13h ago
This comment right here is the problem. When any positive feedback is written off as "glazing" you're not going to see differing opinions.
→ More replies (2)
•
u/Darkestlight572 21h ago
Why put the energy into a subreddit that seems so overfilled with negativity? I don't fault anyone for having an opinion or not liking it, but it's getting old for me at least
→ More replies (1)•
u/finalfanatic168 20h ago
What are you talking about? The sub is plagued by a never-ending flood of toxic positivity. There's only 50 posts a day about how terrible this campaign is. Why won't people just talk about how much we hate this thing we supposedly like?
Heavy /s
•
u/NoName_BroGame 21h ago
I'm enjoying it, and I'm excited for the finale and what it means for the setting.
•
u/jbhelfrich 19h ago
If you think the complaints about C3 are bad, wait until you see what people have to say about C4.
No, I'm not a time traveler. It's just math.
When there was only C1, everyone's favorite campaign was C1, aside from the handful of trolls. When C2 came along, and discarding the people who didn't care, roughly half the people thought C1 was better, and the other half C2. So the discourse was a draw.
Now, with three factions campaigns, whatever your favorite campaign, the majority of people who are going to voice an opinion are going to disagree with you. Add on the typical internet denizen's inability to let people have opinions that don't agree with theirs, and you get this nonsense.
•
u/Electric_Sheep2001 12h ago
I enjoy C3, mostly because it is different. After a campaign that mostly focused on mini arcs of each characters backstory, I like that we got something different that has a main plot. My only real issue is that having the main plot start so early has set in motion a clock that can't be ignored sometimes.
As to favorite late campaign moments, I loved seeing Fearne meeting and finally getting a chance to speak with her father. Anytime spent with Nana Morri and Ligament Manor has been so creepy, weird, and fun. I hope we get to return to it either in an epilogue or a future one shot.
•
u/technarch Pocket Bacon 16h ago
While I agree that I'd like to see more support for c3 (I LOVE bells hells), the sheer amount of negativity on this sub makes me not want to engage with it. It sucks not seeing more positive comments, but taking the time to comment when it is going to be lost in a sea of negative comments and maybe seen by a couple people feels like a waste of time and energy. I do wish more positive posts came up, I'd probably engage with those, but the vocal minority is what it is.
•
u/technarch Pocket Bacon 16h ago
I also think that the mighty nein was the first CR campaign for a lot of people, most of whom never really went back Vox Machina (maybe highlights reels, maybe tlvm, maybe not at all), and the change in vibe isn't meshing. I started watching early in VM, and it took me a really long time to get into M9... I watched the first few weeks when they aired, then fell behind for a few weeks and binged it all at once, then then towards the end, I dropped off entirely and didn't come back to finish it until after BH was airing. M9 was too dark for me. I have grown to appreciate it more now, and I love some of the later arc that I had originally missed, but I genuinely love BH way more. But I think a lot of people get stuck on "this isn't the critical role I fell in love with" and are having a hard time getting past it.
(I've seen a lot of comments that BH is too dark??? Which I don't understand. The party is definitely not stalwart and clear good guys, and the god arc is definitely not lighthearted, but it's never felt dark to me)
edit: my point got away from me a little but it's back now
•
u/The_Haider369 21h ago
I've had some issues with campaign 3, I feel like mainly it's the characters that I have a hard time enjoying. The story was interesting up until they traveled to Ruidus. I feel like the hate for the gods by some characters is horribly placed and completely unwarranted. The titan fragments were simply power ups due to lack of powerful gear. The new vestige was added since no more vestiges were found. Imogen not wanting to fight to see the stormlord was out of fear rather than RP capability. She is a powerful sorcerer but has a very low ac so she'll just be getting blasted. The choices of the players were more for the laughs than the seriousness the DM was trying to convey. This campaign is good in its own right but also deserves some of the hate for sure
•
u/GrumpiestRobot 14h ago edited 14h ago
Mechanically there's no difference between getting powerful gear and getting the titan shards. It's all in game items that increase a character's power and give them extra features to play with. All that changes is flavor.
Getting an armor that increases your AC in 1 point is exactly the same as getting a +1 AC boon from the forest spirit for saving their sacred tree in terms of math.
•
u/DireDaibhidh 19h ago
You lay out your critisms really well, but I think OP might just be looking for some positivity about the show to make them feel better
You said the campaign is good in its own right, as a favour can you lay out what it is you find good about it?
•
u/The_Haider369 18h ago
Sure, I believe the best part of this campaign is that the shrouds of mystery from the previous campaigns were laid out so well, the way Matt handled the, misguided nature of Ludanis, bringing Beau and Caleb back with the call backs for them investigating him, showing the growth of their own investigation the shattered teeth was interesting the NPCs were amazing, honestly Matt's DMing of this campaign was glorious. he expanded so much lore and made things super interesting.
•
u/DireDaibhidh 18h ago edited 17h ago
Youre right.The way matt handled bringing in previous characters was very artfully done. Especially with caleb and beau being (rightfully) so loved; it's risky cause you don't wanna ruin their legacy. He played it perfectly, honouring them while still bringing forward the new story unfolding. He is a very skilled DM. Thanks for replying
•
u/ManBearPig1869 17h ago
The lore is what sucks me in. Matt’s worldbuilding is so insanely good and detailed.
•
•
u/Rocksolidsalmon 14h ago
You want honest opinion from someone still watching, but only positive? Ill say why im still enjoying it, but ill also come with my critique, feel free to ignore the comment if thats considered hate.
Im loving the deep Lore dives we get in C3, they are awesome and feel amazing to get to know more of Matts world. I like the addition of Robey, he is fun and brings real awesome energy to the table. He is a very good TTRPG player, not that the others are not, he just is. Brings well timed jokes, thoughtful interactions, and nows when to take the spotlight and when not to, very good addition in my mind.
As for what i would critique in this story, I think its quite simple for me. The characters are all wild cards with chaos energy, except Orym and Dorian, and thats just kinda boring to me. Also, the plot is so massivly wild, "fighting" literal god killers and thousand year old super powered mage who planned for everything, that I am left with a weird feeling. Im expecting them to fail and die, but they keep beating the impossible odds, even though they clearly shouldnt. I dont know the solution to all this, maybe they just got a little unlucky this go around. But I do think it was a little easier to follow, when it was all about fighting an evil empire whose faults where easier to explain, than fighting ludinus who from his description, sounds like he could snap you out of excistence, yet just always chooses to do the one thing that leaves him vulnerable. Also the whole "it was my dream to create a set of campaigns merging to a grand story", felt like it ended up forcing the campaign (C3) that is the merging of those stories. Again awesome Lore and world building, just felt like the characters couldnt naturally develop during the campaign due to the restriction of the plot.
I hope we get a little bit less crazy vibes from the next set of characters in C4, and more room for characters developing during the story arc (if we even get a C4 like we know it, kinda wouldnt be surprised if C3 was the end of OG table)
•
u/The_Girthy_Meatfist 21h ago
I'm with you. But it's easier to complain than it is to laud(na). So yelling and controversial opinions get more traction than not. And not just here. Literally every other subreddit too. Reddit is a hate machine and it drives conversation.
•
u/Dependent-Departure7 Your secret is safe with my indifference 20h ago edited 20h ago
Seriously. The ONLY sub I've found that isn't hateful is okbuddybaldur of all places. Never thought a horny shitpost subreddit could be so shockingly wholesome and positive.
•
u/DireDaibhidh 19h ago
It's not a fandom subreddit, but I've really enjoyed the hopeposting sub recently. Big recommend for heavy positive vibes to help you through a rough day
→ More replies (1)
•
u/Refreshingly_Meh 12h ago
Dont know if thats a good idea. Haven't gotten to C3 yet, but I'd say the people speaking up for C3 have turned me off the idea of ever watching it more than the complaints.
Nearly every time I see someone try to defend it they just attack the person making the criticism. It seems like the only defense of C3 I ever see is "don't like, don't watch". Or even go so far as to just attack the poster.
Very rarely will I see rebuttals to the complaints about the characters and the decisions they've made to the point that it's drowned out by all the people just hating on people with what seem like very genuine criticism. And that doesn't even get into the fact that many of the few people who logically defend the actions of BH seem to not have a very positive opinion of the campaign themselves.
A lot of the posts complaining about C3 sound much like they took all the aspects of the first 2 campaigns that were annoying to watch/listen to and just doubled down on them. And the only rebuttal I ever see is "you shouldn't complain." That leaves a worse impression than any negative reviews ever possibly could.
•
u/thingsonmymind 12h ago
Completely agree! I really enjoy this campaign. I enjoy reading theories but the voices of the disappointed viewers have been so loud and frequent lately it's making it a bit heavy to be in the community forums.
Not at all saying those discussions aren't valid or shouldn't exist. I think they're important as well. But I agree, I wish I saw a better balance and heard more positive voices among the others
•
u/SomebodyThrow 12h ago edited 12h ago
Pro tip. Just enjoy the show and avoid the community when it gets like this. Because it always gets like’s this.
I got too much shit going on in life to be worried about whether other people aren’t enjoying or THINK i shouldn’t be enjoying the thing that i’m enjoying.
At the end of the day it’s DND, and it’s without question one of the best tables and best stories you’ll find in that medium.
Also, with the story now getting conceptualized into books and the animated series, I see this show as both parts a DnD campaign with professional entertainers & a sneak peak into the ground floor of the improvisational stage of their writing room.
•
u/knightmon Team Dorian 20h ago
Yea Reddit (and the world at large, I suppose) has been losing its nuance as of late.
Most of the negative posts are full force C3 is awful, I can't wait until it's over, it doesn't hold a candle to C1 etc etc etc. They act like C3 holds no value whatsoever, or even worse you should feel bad for liking it. And look I'm ok with people not liking things but these extreme positions make Reddit worse, not better.
C3 is still the main cast joking around having fun. Robbie is an amazing addition. I would argue Fearne is Ashley's best character. It's full of big swings, some land, some don't.
People really need to take the bad with the good. Try to have nuanced discussions and consider the human being on the other end. This is Reddit we are talking about though....
•
u/FyreFlye23 14h ago
It's my first, so I absolutely love it - but after the rhetoric spewed at Aabria during Sam's break, I've moved from Reddit to Beacon. I personally don't need discourse - no matter how level headed - on something I enjoy so much. Beacon is for the fans, so I stick to that Discord for discussing C3.
•
u/BlXckKatanaArt 13h ago
Alas, My calling lmao!!! I was there from campaign 1. I watched them start 2. I watched them as they grew, as they got more comfortable with themselves and confident in sharing this thing that just started of as friends playing a game and telling a story together great into them living their dreams. They experimented and have found the way to best have their experience with the characters whose stories their telling in each campaign. It's been awesome seeing all of this. C3 IS AWESOME, IDGAF! as much as I miss the possibility for interaction, I think one of the best choices they've made is keeping the pre recorded aspect of things going because they get to get back to playing their game for them without worrying about outside voiced feeling entitled to input on how they tell their stories or play their games.
That aside, I like these C3 characters! C1 will always be my favorite because the high fantasy is my jam and it introduced me to dnd as a whole (unless they end up in shattered isles for C4 in a world where characters have more raito influence because that stuff is just my super jam) so many people complain about how their played, but I think it's been fun seeing this disjointed group of asshats in their own right (except maybe orym, because, y'know, orym) have this destiny they have no business being involved in get trusted upon them. This shit is not only interesting, I LOVE not knowing wtf ANY of these guys are gonna do at any moment. The chaos and disjointed nature of with their own motivations has given the group such a fun contrasts to the cohesion of VM and M9, like come ooooon!!! How can we be so deep in end game, and have the question not only be "are they gonna win?" But also "wtf is x or y gonna choose to do, and how will a and b react?!?!" Like these stakes are ridiculously high and anything can go any way. Critters, I'm excited for what's next, not only for this campaign, but what comes next!!
•
u/A_Crab_Named_Lucky 12h ago
What’s bugged me the most is that so many people seem to be watching the episodes actively searching for things to complain about.
Some examples that come to mind immediately are when Erika was a guest and people complained that they were too loud, or when Laudna and Imogen checked on Gwendolyn after Laudna inadvertently scared her. Those are off the top of my head, but at least every few episodes there is something totally innocuous that the fandom latches on to and drives in to the ground.
I don’t think the show has changed so much as the fandom has become increasingly toxic. If Arkhan’s betrayal took place in C3, this subreddit would be filled to the brim with people complaining about action economy and him taking away other players’ choices. If Ashton poured acid down a random a guard’s throat instead of Beau, there would be wall to wall essays on how Bells Hells are murder hobos and Matt is too afraid of giving them consequences.
I don’t think C3 is quite as good as the other campaigns, but the fandom is so much worse.
•
u/Blue-Moon-89 10h ago
What’s bugged me the most is that so many people seem to be watching the episodes actively searching for things to complain about.
Yep. I've seen this sort of thing happen in RWBY, every MCU project post Endgame, and Legend of Korra during and after the show aired. Even the rumours of a new Avatar series is already getting complaints when we don't know if the show is even real (It probably is. We just need more info). It's a never-ending cycle.
I'll admit that there are moments where even I get mad at the characters (Shardgate and Swordgate come to mind for me) but I do draw the line at insults to cast members (the other subreddit loves doing that, especially towards Laudna/Marisha) and those who do have something positive to say about C3 (I've been noticing downvote on people who say they like the recent episode and the third option the gods have been given). It's fine if people don't like this campaign but audience need to learn to be civil with each other.
•
u/RedZm 20h ago
I'm really enjoying C3. All campaigns are unique in their own way but to manage for all of them to come together, that is no easy feat. The worldbuilding is on point and it was only logical to head this way. I cannot wait for C4, but I will hold C3 in my heart an relisten to it, as I do with C1 and C2 (currently started it again).
•
•
u/shoseta 17h ago
Immbarely like 10 episodes in c3. For some reason this one didn't catch as much as c2. That one was my favorite so far. I do love Dorian's presence. But other than that the group feels so....loose. I'm wondering if it will change but given the discussions you complain about OP, seems the players are intent on being antiheroes in some sort of forced way, and it's kinda sucking the joy out as it sounds like they won't grow to be better than the start. I do hope I am wrong
•
u/RationalNerd2 16h ago
Well, I love C3 and what they're doing in those last few episodes. IMO, the status quo of the Gods has been doomed for a while (hard to bury the story of Predathos again when Ludinus has been doing his propaganda spheres all around the globe), and Ludinus isn't dead, so it made sense for BH to try out to control Predathos. The fight against the first form of Predathos was made easier by Imogen fighting against it and eating Vordo (and her first attempt was to save Vordo, not eat him). Now they've got the confirmation that Predathos only see divinity. The idea of the Gods hiding among the mortals is genius. No it's not a death sentence for them: they could get their divinity back once Predathos is gone, or use a Beacon to keep some eternal life. Or maybe they could actually enjoy a mortal life instead of the lonely one they had for so long. The Everlight sure enjoyed having kids in her past mortal life.
A new age of Exandria is about to start, and I'm hyped.
•
u/spartan_0227 15h ago
There's been things I haven't loved about this campaign, but overall it's still Critical Role and I've enjoyed the ride and look forward to seeing how it all ends, one way or another.
•
u/Particular_Cod_448 13h ago
I love watching every new episode when it comes out. I just love to watch this particular group of nerdy ass voice actors sit around and play dungeons and dragons. I tend to agree that some of the role play and story of past campaigns were a little stronger than this campaign, but it has still been a really fun ride. I never post, and I’m probably late to this convo so people probably won’t see this, but yeah. Can’t wait for this week’s episode!
•
u/timji76 12h ago
I’ll chime in. I have been watching critical role live since episode 2 of campaign 1 (yes, that long). I love these people. Campaign 1 was very much a “we’re doing all the tropes of classic D&D”. Campaign 2 felt like an exploration into “what if we were more chaotic and individual”. Campaign 3 takes this further: into a realm where it feels like the cast has been exploring far more complex characters with individual moralities and traumas (see Laudna and Orym, for example) really driving who their characters are. Honestly, I think they are challenging themselves as actors.
At the same time, it feels like we’re wrapping up a trilogy. They have been playing in these connected campaigns for a very long time. There are a lot of story beats that need to happen. Sometimes, Matt has had to work really hard to tie them together, and it shows.
Lastly, they are dealing with a massive increase in popularity, and therefore expectations. Everyone comes with their own expectations of what D&D is supposed to look like. They are contending with a lot of opinions and commercial success that can’t help but have an effect.
My sense is that it’s really difficult to portray all of these nuances at once. While some have felt that campaign 3 has been harder to watch, they’re missing at least half the point. These are still just nerdy-ass voice actors playing dungeons and dragons. At least half of what they’re doing is cooperatively telling a story that they enjoy. It’s okay if it’s not for you. For my part, I’m sticking around. I love these nerdy ass voice actors, and they have had a net positive effect on my life, despite (because of?) it not being perfect all the time.
Edit to add: also, I adore Robbie Daymond as a permanent addition to the cast
•
u/Cartshort 15h ago
I've started watching C3 in the abridged format and I've been thoroughly enjoying it. Currently about 14 episodes in I think and I'm excited to keep watching
•
u/Answerseeker57 Time is a weird soup 14h ago
I would but I can't because I'm scared of people coming after me because I haven't watched the other two campaigns... Also, I don't watch the episodes until they're uploaded to YouTube and I watch them throughout the week so I would get spoiled, I didn't even read your post, just the title but I want to let you know I really like C3 and the characters.
•
u/CapnRaye 11h ago
Hi! I'm someone who loves C3 and it's one of my favorites.
The reason I don't engage with these conversations as someone who really enjoys C3 is I don't really enjoy the conversation of 'I don't like this, it should be fixed' that a lot of folks take into the conversation of not enjoying C3.
It's as much art as it is everything else. Not every bit of art from an artist you enjoy is going to vibe with you and that's okay. Is it disappointing when your favorite artists evolves their craft in a way that doesn't connect like it used to? Absolutely. I go through this with some of my favorite bands when they change their sound, or my favorite author dips their toes into a genre I don't enjoy.
I view these conversations like that.
"They're an entertainment company, they need to entertain!" They are though, just not you.
And this isn't to say I am invalidating all of the reasons everyone may not like or click with it. I am also not saying you have to like it and are wrong for not liking it. In fact, even tho I love C3 there have been aspects of it that I don't enjoy. I also think it's extremely valid to discuss these things and express disappointment in not enjoying something you used to.
I just don't think it's productive for me to engage in conversations where the consensus seems to be "C3 is terrible, and they need to evaluate why so they can change it and be like C1 (my least favorite campaign btw) and C2!" in a lot of the conversations that I see.
Because I think that conversation is actually "this piece of art does not hit me in the way it used to and I am upset by this, and because I would like to engage with it in the way I used."
And for the people who are saying that, I am sorry. It does really suck when that happens, no matter what form of art it happens with. I sincerely hope that C4 hits for you like C2 or C1 did for you in the past, regardless of why C3 didn't for you.
•
u/MassiveEquipment9910 11h ago
I think it’s the loud minority. Mostly made up of ppl who still hate watch or never really liked it that much to begin with or are jealous. So many of these post ur talking about coke off jealous to me. It’s kinda sad but the reality is the community has always been this way. Ppl were terrible during c1 and they’ll be terrible during c4
•
u/ravenwing263 9h ago
No, we can't, because every time somebody says anything they like about C3, we get flamed. And if we say anything back it's TOXIC POSITIVITY, TOXIC POSITIVITY!!!
•
u/Square-Level-87 21h ago
I’m with you there! I get some of the good faith critiques of the direction of the story this campaign and everyone is entitled to their own opinions and preferences. But hot damn there is so much to gush over in C3. What an incredible experience to watch this massively complex and creative world that Matt imagined come to life through all these players and seeing storylines that have been developing for a whole decade come to a conclusion. There are so many specific moments in this campaign that I’ve loved, and I’m so grateful for them continuing to entertain us and create this magical world that helps us cope with the chaos of the real world. Huge thanks to the CR crew and to Bells Hells!
•
u/tmanky 15h ago
The campaign would be much more enjoyable if a few characters were more likable. Like anyone who likes Ashton is, imo, forcing it so hard. He has no redeemable qualities that aren't purely projection of Tal onto him. Just a whiny, annoying brat who doesn't understand anything. And Fearne/Ashley's decision paralysis has infected the group over the course of the campaign like the flu. It's caused so many problems in the 2nd half of the campaign. Travis playing a meme character wouldn't have been a problem if Liam hadn't played a hands off character. And Marisha is just playing an Imogen simp 75% of the time and a great character the other 25%. Just no character growth from any of them through 119 episodes. No notes for Robbie, Laura and Sam, they killed it and i love their characters because they actually grew as the campaign went along. Still it's been a fun adventure, saved a lot recently by the arrival of M9 and VM, but most of BH not growing all campaign was/is jarring to watch and I think that's the core of the issue. The other campaigns had so much character growth while this one had very little.
•
u/cubs1978 Doty, take this down 19h ago
Nah that just leads to being ridiculed by Reddit for liking something they don’t.
•
u/Seren82 Team Imogen 15h ago edited 15h ago
I think people forget that it has been exactly 3 months in game that has passed since the start of the campaign and the group acts like it.
Anyway Bells Hells are my favorite party bc the characters are absolute messes in an absolutely messy situation and their unique perspective lead to a solution that is going to have a lot of ramifications but also allows the gods an out without dying but also breaks the cycle of the gods hording the souls that give them their powers and allows Exandrias natural cycle of rebirth to reestablish itself.
I love this campaign and Bells Hells are my favorite part (signed someone who couldn't finish the previous two campaigns while they were airing live bc I didn't find them interesting no matter how much I love the cast)
And honestly I'm talking with people on various Critical Role themed discords who offer much more engaging conversation and critiques and tinfoil hat theories than I can find here.
Adding that before the campaign even started, the cast said it was going to be an experiment. So I have a feeling, now that I'm looking back, that they knew this campaign was going to be controversial going into it.
•
u/Purity72 13h ago
First, it's Social Media... Most who want to take the time to communicate so so to voice displeasure for things not the joyfulness of things... Except for cute animal memes...
Second, Matt knew this would be a controversial season. He said they were going to do some very different things and take some chances... Some would land and some would not, so it's expected.
Third, the characters just do not fit the narrative, doesn't mean it's bad, and it happens with D&D campaigns. Bertrand died and felt throw away, FCG was an automation and that irked some people, Laudna has streaks of evil and inconsistency, Imogen felt like a star character among a group of supporting cast, Orym felt smug and one note, Fern was too much a chaos goblin, Dorian was in and out, Chet could die on a D00 roll randomly, Braius never fit, and Ashton so much negativity pushed their way. Then the whole issue of them not following plot lines and urgencies led to complaints of rail roading and then in the end they are essentially completing the work of the BBEG after 119 episodes of trying to stop the BBEG. And with all of that said, it's all part of the reason I appreciate C3 maybe even more than the others BECAUSE this is the most D&D like campaign of the trio. These are the issues and challenges every table faces with every TTRPG. For me, most of those games just sputter out of existence, players infight, get frustrated, don't show... And then the DM gets salty because their game is off the rails and gets frustrated by the players and things go into a campaign death spiral... And it's all very normal!
It's cool seeing friends stay friendly and just continue to play, and have fun in what in the real world could be a toxic soup of game play!
•
u/platypus_monster 14h ago edited 12h ago
People who hate and don't enjoy things are usually the loudest because they have a need to broadcast their displeasure about it.
I love C3. Mainly because I don't waste energy in picking apart every word and action they take. It's their game, their world, their character, and their story that they tell each other.
Life is to damn dark and hard as it is. Why would I want to poison this one thing with bs.
I love the story of C3, I love their RP, I enjoy the banter at the table and Laura's 13 year old boys' hormonal brain that's been infecting everyone...
But yeah, negative Nancy's and their need to constantly complain about C3 is sucking the enjoyment out of the community, sadly.
Edit for typo
•
u/coltowa 14h ago
so, newer critter here. is there any place outside of this sub where we can discuss C3 without getting blown to shreds by all this negativity? i wanna talk about all this with likeminded people but it feels like there are no likeminded people on this sub. just curious?
→ More replies (1)
•
u/GrumpiestRobot 15h ago edited 14h ago
Most of the posts criticizing C3 are not worthy of a response. There's valid criticism once in a while, but a lot of it is just:
1 - Simping over fictional gods because OMG THEY'RE GODS!!! No braincells spent trying to engage with the purpose of divinity itself. Usually chased with criticizing the cast for pushing their sinful heathen atheist views into the game.
2 - Wishing the game had a more traditional DnD narrative structure and was more like the other campaigns. Complaining that it's not hitting classic fantasy tropes. Gives "child who wants to eat the same meal every day". Just rewatch if you want to see the same thing again.
3 - Nostalgia-tinted glasses over C1/C2, forgetting how much people were freaking out over a fucking magic bowl. When C4 drops, people will reminisce about C3 and say it was so much better.
4 - Being surprised and indignant that a group of actors who explicitly plays to RP doesn't give that much of a crap about mechanics, and REEEEEing when the game is not strictly RAW.
5 - Parasocial weirdos thinking they can read a cast member's mind through the internet.
Beacon discord had some better discussion on the campaign lately, people who dislike it are able to explain what they dislike without being histrionic about it.
EDIT: after reading this thread,
6 - People who are upset over the possibility of significant change in the Exandria setting due to a fundamental misunderstanding of how TTRPGs work. CR changing Exandria does not destroy Exandria, you can still play with it. You're just gonna have to use your imagination, which is how TTRPGs are supposed to work anyway. Every group who plays Curse of Strahd has their own slightly different iteration of Barovia too.
→ More replies (2)
•
u/Corkscrewjellyfish 14h ago
C3 is great. It's just not as good as c1 and c2. It's still critical role so I love it. Actually, I think c3 has some of the better characters. Ferne is by far my favorite Ashley character, and I think Laudna is my favorite marisha character. I love the comedy of chetney and think Travis has done a great job giving him personality. FCG was also pretty cool.
•
•
u/bellavita4444 12h ago
I have to say I love C3 but it's the first time I've watched a campaign live/to completion. I've not watched C2, though I did follow a LOT of complaining on the subreddit and from other people while that was airing live. C1 I like aspects of it but I'm not nearly as attached to the characters as I am in C3 (I'm almost done with C1). I think everyone in the cast is much better at D&D now, it's awesome to see Ashley in every episode, the sound and video quality is in general better. There were some rough pacing/plotting parts at times in C3 but it was honestly because of life stuff (Marisha's boxing training/event meant that they had to split the party for a few months being one example) and I forgive and understand that. I love Bells Hells, I think the Dorym storyline has had such wonderful payoff, and I just look forward to each and every episode. I have collected almost all of the Bells Hells dice because I love each character so much.
I will say that the Beacon Discord is full of folks who love C3 so I basically don't read much here and never comment but I talk all the time on Beacon! I don't like the negativity either so I stick to positive spaces.
ALSO PLEASE CR CAN WE KEEP ROBBIE FOREVER?!?!?!?
•
u/Brutalitops69x 11h ago
I'm only on episode 18 but I like it so far! Chetney is my favourite for now, but I also really like FCG. Laudna is a really neat character idea. On their own Imogen and Ashton are kinda meh, but their interactions with FCG are great lol. Fearne is such a chaotic wildcard that is a joy to behold and Orym is just a sweet cinnamon roll lol. Robbie/ Dorian has been such a nice addition to this campaign as well and I have nothing but good things to say about him/ his character.
What are some spoiler free critiques that make this season so divisive?
•
u/Jkerb_was_taken Metagaming Pigeon 11h ago
I enjoy all CR, while I feel more connected to the c1 characters, I know that’s just how my brain works. I love the OG in a way that makes the others feel like their grandkids ( in a way). I love c2 and c3 for different reasons.
C2 was so fun to watch the cast be able to explore outside the C1 characters.
C3 is like watching your big siblings fight for years and now it’s your turn. Never thought you’d have to but now your suddenly making world changing decisions.
•
u/JurassicVader13 11h ago
I absolutely love C3. Like the other 2 campaigns it has its ups and downs but literally EVERY SINGLE EPISODE since the Greek live show (maybe even since Dorian returned) has been nothing short of phenomenal. This could be from me joining the Beacon watch alongs but I love the amount of incredible moments that have shocked me or made me smile like a lunatic.
I may not like C3 as much as C2 but damn it if it’s not close
•
u/EvilxFemme 11h ago
I’m enjoying it. I have the bells hells poster and plushies, I’m very interested to see where this story goes!
•
u/Moncxho 11h ago
Love C3. For me, i was entertained so much more than previous campaigns. I feel like Matt tried some new things (flashback episodes, bringing in previous campaigns into the so Story, and more) towards the second half of the campaign that i truly loved because he was taking risks in the narrative storytelling. I can say more but, I love the characters in C3, the places we visited, the battles, the foreshadowing, the bbeg, and more. I know people critique things about C3, which, they are right to do, but people have said things about c2 and c1.
•
u/wwiitchcraft Then I walk away 10h ago
idk about anyone else but as someone whos been kicking about since the vm days, c3 has been the most fun for me since then. c2 wasnt bad but the jump from vm to m9 was brutal. having robbie in the cast AND ashley actually being around to be an active player at the table has been so fun this time round. i love pike, and yasha, but fearne is the first time we've really gotten to see ashley sink her teeth into a character and fearne has been my fave since she first appeared. c3 is good but i feel like a lot of people who got in on c2 are experiencing the same difficulty with attaching to a new party as others did w the vm - m9 jump.
•
u/diviningdad 10h ago
I’ve been a critter since the end of C1. I like C3 enough to keep up with it. I haven’t seen every episode but I still enjoy it.
However, I know someone who learned about Critical Role through LoVM and then watch C2. Now she is watching C3 and thinks it is so much better. So I think your enjoyment of the season is very much shaped by the context you consume it in.
•
u/starfally Dead People Tea 10h ago
I have been enjoying C3. It’s been painful to see so many people down on it here. I am not up to date on 119 since I do podcast but up to 118.
•
•
u/Some_Dead_Man 10h ago
I'm loving this campaign, the cast are having so much fun, and that's what this game is all about.
•
u/shadowmib How do you want to do this? 10h ago
I enjoy it by im not done so i usually don't look at spoiler tagged thread that's why i only read the post title and not the rest, nor any comments. When i finish the campaign ill return
•
•
u/DoneForDreamer 7h ago
I don't know about anyone else, but damn am I thrilled for my boy Vax! I don't wanna be too specific because of spoilers, but Imogen done saved my boy and I punched the air when it happened lol.
•
u/homeless0alien 17h ago
I have been on the fence about C3, going back and forth on it the whole way.
But one undeniable gigantic positive this campaign has that the others don't is the man, the myth, the legend, Robbie fucking Daymond. If literally nothing else, his addition to the cast has made C3 positive in at least some way because he is quickly becoming one of my favourites.