That's one element that players expecting their DM to be Matt Mercer always seem to forget. If they're expecting the DM to be Matt Mercer then the DM should get to expect their players to be the rest of the Crit Role cast in return.

@lmaia88

3 жыл бұрын

so true! Seeing the DM as the sole responsible for the "fun" is toxic and the reason why so many newbie DM's give up. Collaborative/Horizontal storytelling is the way!

@SuperDuperHappyTime

3 жыл бұрын

I’m gonna get fat if I eat all this copypasta.

@kevinfelton689

3 жыл бұрын

Soooooo the DM should expect them to constantly forget the rules, not understand action economy or even what actions are allowed in combat, not know their class features even after tenth level, forget how ability checks work (well into double digit levels), meta game, constantly ask for advantage when it's not applicable, and repeatedly try to mulligan their mistakes. Yeah I'd rather they not be like the crit role cast. Just show up on time, and bring snacks.

@commandercaptain4664

3 жыл бұрын

It should be named the Critical Role Effect, since they enable each other to have a good experience... which is what all game groups should do.

@lmaia88

3 жыл бұрын

@@kevinfelton689 hummm although I don’t think your observation on the Crit players is technically wrong, you chose to highlight all their flaws, but left out all their qualities! Some Dnd tables are more tactical and rules crunchy, other looser with the rules and more narrative focused. What’s not ok is to look up to any group (inthis case, CR) and be like: why are you/we not like that?

I love this one! Matt's players are the reason why Matt can be Matt, period. Nailed again, Professor.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@NeilAitken

3 жыл бұрын

Agree! Having fantastic players who respect the DM and each other helps tremendously - especially with time management and character development.

@Meeeeeeeestery

3 жыл бұрын

@@NeilAitken Yes, apart from Matt's undeniable talent, experience, and mastery, what builds the thing up as a whole isn't Matt alone. This says something fondamental: the DM can only tune to her players style and attitude, Matt included.

@willemverheij3412

3 жыл бұрын

Indeed. He wouldn't be able to do his thing if he'd be DM-ing to a party that does all the typical bad player stuff. Looking on their phone and not listening, Being late or not showing up at all, argue about rules, try to cheat, constantly needing to be the centre of attention... Well we kind of did see how that went with Orion. The whole D&D game got better when he was gone, the atmosphere changed right away and the players seemed to have more fun.

@Meeeeeeeestery

3 жыл бұрын

@@willemverheij3412 Even being not that drastic...consider having Matt, with his voice and acting performance full throttle, in front of a group of players who prefer to speak in third person and/or without any acting attitude/skills. The point is that the game exists in the mind of the people who play it regardless of their performance. You can enjoy a well run third person narrative as much as a theatrical one as long as the group is tuned together. There's no difference. A game with Matt as DM and a group of players who do not fit his style would suck to me. There would be a rather weird mood in such table. I say this because I'm one of those theatrical guys who like making voices, gestures...I insisted till I realise it made the game worse! My players weren't matching my style, they didn't speak in character, and basically I was alone on the stage, and that was weird nonetheless! I stepped back, I tuned to their approach, and everything turned smooth, more immersive, consistent. When you are hunched and raspy in a hag's shoes, you are pumping the drama in a bargain with the devil, you might even be De Niro that if your players always respond in third person, describe what they say and do rather than acting that out, it all will end up by feeling like crap. Acting is not necessarily better, that is.

Level 1: "Wow Matt is the best DM ever" Level 10: "Holy shit he has the greatest players ever"

@commandercaptain4664

3 жыл бұрын

Session 1: Alright, WEEEEEE PLAY DUNGEONS & DRAGOOOOOOOOONNNNNSSSSS!!!! Session 2: Where'd all the players go? THIS GROUP AIN'T $#!T!!!!!!

@Deliriumend

3 жыл бұрын

It's the quick becoming old addage. If you want your GM to run like Matt Mercer, you need to be willing to play like one of the Critical Role cast.

@VisionStorm1

3 жыл бұрын

Level 20: "And an entire professional production crew to help plan the session and make sure everyone shows up. Cuz it's their job that they get paid for."

@JACKSTAY

3 жыл бұрын

@@VisionStorm1 yes but that doesn’t negate them being great players / a great DM

@MikaeruDaiTenshi

3 жыл бұрын

@@JACKSTAY That's true, but most new players need to realize that. I'm a new player too, I started playing DND last year or so, only ~3-4 Sessions. I played again this year, with two new groups (one is DnD5e one is PF2e), but I KNOW I have to AT LEAST try to prepare for the sessions, by knowing the core-rules and my class. Sure, you can't know everything, especially when you're new, you learn from experience IF you care and try. You as a player also have to invest time for the preparation, that's what I see, most players don't get. When you have the first session of the game and 3/5 players don't know what they or their character can do, and still don't know during their 2nd or 3rd sessions, it get's me frustrated. I don't know everything too. But knowing the range of your weapon, adventage/disadventage, you having wild-magic and always forgetting about that, and other things, are just.... exhausting.

Most players demanding critical role quality DMs probably aren't critical role quality players.

@meeponinthbit3466

3 жыл бұрын

100% on point here. The Mercer Effect is as much the players as it is Matt.

@flyndutchmn

3 жыл бұрын

Yup, I've had some terrible players

@klumpos

3 жыл бұрын

Replace the word probably with definitely

@user-jn4sw3iw4h

3 жыл бұрын

definitely. 'critical role quality players' *don't demand* a 'mercer-level dm'. see the one-shots: - as 'technically capable' as the main show: usually not - as 'entertaining' as the main show: (usually glad it's a one-shot, but) yes, yes it is.

@FlyingRock225

3 жыл бұрын

They're overwhelmingly the worst players tbh.

"He does the same thing that you do, only he's really good." Ouch...

@O4C209

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, my face clinched at that.

@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181

3 жыл бұрын

Bro's will be bro's. Professor probably hurt him dusing a dungeon crawl when they were young. xD

@SteelKiss1

3 жыл бұрын

What a crap thing to say to someone

@commandercaptain4664

3 жыл бұрын

Hurtful... 😄😢

@smnb6652

3 жыл бұрын

99.9% chance it was a joke.

"I'm not afraid to look silly which I think is a prerequisite for any DM."

@theredbeardbard

3 жыл бұрын

Great video, Prof. I really appreciated your positivity while breaking down the "Mercer effect" and I agree with your analysis. Lots of great points for both DMs and Players in this one. Thanks for sharing!

@TenguBE

3 жыл бұрын

My 7 year old is following an acting class and this is indeed something they learn. Not that he needed that lesson :p

Watching critical role, has primarily taught me how to dm. Not really the rules, but the essence of what a dm is.

@searaph

3 жыл бұрын

Same. It inspired me to DM, and showed what the spirit of DM'ing can be.

@TheHeroOfLimes

3 жыл бұрын

Honestly, Matt and I have very similar dm styles. But he's more dedicated and has the acting experience to deliver a higher quality performance. And that is okay. It gives me things to learn every single time I sit down to watch critical role.

@palleandren9254

3 жыл бұрын

Same, he’s really inspiring and it makes me wanna give my players the same experience

@dammitvictor798

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheHeroOfLimes Don't forget his show is also staged. They're performing D&D for the audience, rather than playing it the way your table would. No shade, they are all damned good at what they do and they'd be damned good players at a regular game. But what they're doing for the camera isn't what you're doing at home.

@hotdogman5214

3 жыл бұрын

@@dammitvictor798 I actually disagree. Sure, some things may be played up or staged to some extent for the camera, but for the most part, their choices and actions are their own because they play how they want. I feel like they kind of forget there are cameras around.

"Be more like Matt Mercer" "Be more like Marissa, Laura, Liam, Sam, Travis, Ashley, and Taliesin"

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Yep.

@TheSilverPhoenix100

3 жыл бұрын

Yes but dont try to become them, take their examples be that Matt's creativity, Liam's roleplaying, Taliesin's characters, etc and apply them to your own ideas and make somthing thats yours instead of trying to make your game into critical role which i see way to many people just getting into D&D trying to do

@nerodcs3087

3 жыл бұрын

best answer!

@Briansgate

3 жыл бұрын

This in a nutshell.

@PalleRasmussen

3 жыл бұрын

IMO, Travis is the best of them. He never argues, he never hogs the spotlights, he is always ready on his turn, he embraces failure, and he is supportive of the other's successes.

I think part of the Mercer Effect that is not being considered is that there are a lot of people trying out D&D who don't actually want to play D&D, they want to watch people play D&D. Those two things are separate activities and just because you enjoy one doesn't mean you'll enjoy the other. So, ultimately, a lot of us DMs are dealing with pressure from people we can't actually please because they don't really want to play D&D, they just think they do.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

You may be right.

From the first time I saw the Reddit post labelling this as "The Matt Mercer Effect," I felt that label was inherently wrong; it would be more accurate to call it "The Critical Role Effect." While Matt is an awesome DM, the experience is due to ALL of the players interacting with the GM and vice versa; hanging all on him is a bit unfair, both to him and the contributions of his players.

"In a normal game of D&D your players are probably nuts, they can be argumentative, obnoxious, rude, they deliberately screw up their plans, they cheat, and they want you to be Matt Mercer, they are lucky you show up." Haha this is great and so true sometimes. My players are also happy, friendly, fun, kind, patient, caring, and creative. It's so much fun getting together with friends to play D&D even when they do those things or I screw up as a DM. Like the time I TPKd the party in Barovia at the Curse of Strahd without warning them properly about the vampires in waiting. Or the time I had two NPCs in conversation with each other and I sounded monotone so they couldn't distinguish the two NPCs and it got boring. Or when I focused on one player for too long during the game and the other players are just watching. Or when I don't prepare well enough before hand and have to look up story points mid game. We put up with each others creative insanity during the game and we all keep coming back for more.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

You've hit on one of the most overlooked aspects in role-playing, the game isn't only good because of the DM, but also because of the players. Too often everything gets piled onto the DM, who does have their job, but the players have to buy in and help too. Like I always say, the hardest part of role-playing is finding the right group of players.

@justingentry7458

3 жыл бұрын

For sure. Watching early episodes with Orion confirms this. Some of his interactions with Matt and the other players are so painful to watch and I don't think the show would be as good as it is if he would have stayed on. Having everyone on the same page is the key to a great game.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

I've heard that from others. Send me a link for the good stuff!

@justingentry7458

3 жыл бұрын

​@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 I won't comment on Orion's off the table issues but at the table it was 1000 moments like this brief clip. There was also the time his character got drunk and he got a little too handsy with Marisha. His energy was all over the place and you could tell there was tension at the table over it. kzread.info/dash/bejne/o3eGqc6mdKjcoNI.html

@commandercaptain4664

3 жыл бұрын

Just like movies, 90% of success is casting.

We hear a lot about the Matt Mercer Effect. But as a 'Forever GM' I sometimes experience the opposite where I think "Why can't my players behave like professional actors being paid to play?" : ) Great video as always PDM!

@TheOGGMsAdventures

3 жыл бұрын

Why can't my players behave like professional actors being paid to play?" : ) because they are paid professional actors?

@Alex-sf5uz

3 жыл бұрын

Because they aren't playing to an audience they are there to play a game...

@TheOGGMsAdventures

3 жыл бұрын

@@Alex-sf5uz yes they are playing to an audience, they have an audience and they are professional actors. Stop trying to be them, just be the best YOU

@_____2219

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheOGGMsAdventures The cast of critical role doesn’t act like that because they have an audience they act like that because they act like that. If you look up sam and liam’s awnp podcast, liam plays an audio of what happened during his birthday dnd game. You’ll see that they do in fact act like that even without the audience. And I do agree that a player shouldn’t act based on what critical role presents, they should act naturally because not everyone can do silly voices on the fly.

@TheOGGMsAdventures

3 жыл бұрын

@@_____2219 they "Act" like that because being Actors is part of who they are, they are always On camera even if they are not. Its part of who they are also-once something is observed it changes, nothing exists in a vacuum. The fact that you do watch them affects reality. An unobserved particle acts one way but when it is observed it acts a difrent way

The Keith Richards Bard just slew me. You win the internet today Sir.

I binged all of Campaign 2 while I was working overtime night shifts at my nursing job last year and it helped me learn how to play the game. I’m also cognizant of the fact that CR is half-game, half-improv theater. Still a good time

@PaulGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Honestly, that's all d&d. CR is just really good at it because they're all literally actors. Plus they've spent years and thousands of dollars perfecting the presentation of their game.

@tylerdurden639

3 жыл бұрын

@@PaulGuy Not to mention that it is scripted, to the Nth degree. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there is a teleprompter for Matt next to the camera. Yes, there is improv going on, but if you watch, there are times when there are pauses before reactions that would be instant among real players. Actors wait for their scripted turn to speak, and the way they handle dialog changes when they are on script and when they are saying things in the real world. Once you know what to look for, you can see that the game is just an ongoing scripted D&D advertisement, probably funded by Wizards of the Coast to sell more product.

@thehellfirewolf13

Жыл бұрын

@@tylerdurden639 Wow. Just wow. Trust me, if this was scripted, a script would have come out long before now. Yeah, there might be a teleprompter next to the camera for Matt, to read sponsor stuff. Notice, he RARELY looks anywhere near the camera during game time. I feel like it just annoys you that both the DM and players are so into the game and are so good at it that you have to find a way to make it lesser. GO make your damn soap and shut the hell up.

I think I’ve hallucinated the Jack Nicholson demon during a minor heat stroke last summer

@Wiseblood2012

3 жыл бұрын

I heard that the Devil thinks Jack Nicholson should play him in a movie.

@J.Aguilar

3 жыл бұрын

"Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

@Bear-bx7yo

3 жыл бұрын

Are you sure that was a hallucination? Have you ever tried calling Eldritch blast

@irishthump73

3 жыл бұрын

Nah. You just can’t handle the truth!

@Battleguild

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe you should take Anger Management courses.

You're absolutely right that part of what allows Matt Mercer's game mastery to shine is the players at his table. I've watched a bit of Critical Role to help inspire and guide me on improving being a GM, but also to improve myself as a player when I'm at someone else's table.

One note on the Players, while it's true they all have a vested financial interest in Matt (and thus, their game) being successful now, it didn't start out that way. While things are a bit different now, if you watch the very first stream they ever did, the players act pretty much the same. So just in case there is anyone out there who pulls "well of course the players are helpful, they make money at it!" card out of their butts, you can tell them that the players always were this way. ;)

@321guyver

3 жыл бұрын

If you listen to the All Work no Play podcast where they talk about their first game, Liam played a sound clip from the session... And yes, it is exactly like the way they play on camera. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Zayc0JeuZ8uvgso.html

@ArgenCR

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah this, and they didn't just started playing when CR started they had been running their game from quite some time already, and used to play even before that. I watch CR for inspiration as well. It's fun, but I like to see how Matt adapts and rules things so I can apply it to my own way of DMing. Him, Matt Colville and Brennan from Dimension 20 are my inspiration for DMing

@NosiDM

3 жыл бұрын

Except Orion, but he was kicked out.

@mathiaslarsen691

3 жыл бұрын

I agree if they cared about that the players would maybe learn the rules of the game :) pessimism aside I fucking love this show and it have introduced me to the dnd genre and the two parties I play. But sometimes it is hurtful to see when they are not sure about the mechanics there characters have. (This does not apply for all of them and isn´t that often but when it comes up I take some psychic dmg.)

@PaulGuy

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the primary difference between then and now is that they've gotten a lot better at the presentation, both technical and artistic. But they still do the same ridiculous things.

It's interesting to me that people can't understand, even when told, at times by the man himself.....Matt has been gaming since childhood, and is in his mid to late 30s. On top of that, he is a professional performer, as are the rest of his group. That's asking a lot of your DM that works with spreadsheets or what have you 9AM-5PM Monday-Friday and may have family obligations too.

@celebrim1

3 жыл бұрын

A lot of us have been gaming since childhood. Almost none of us can afford to spend 40 hours or more a week on our craft. It's getting really hard for me to find the 10 hours a week needed to run what I consider a minimal quality session every other week. Players I just don't think understand how much work goes into a good session, and people don't seem to understand that when I improv something, I'm not really improvising so much as drawing on a well of 40 years of experience and thinking about the game.

@user-yj3kn4fe7h

3 жыл бұрын

@@celebrim1 You're also not getting paid like Matt Mercer is either. His job is running campaigns for Crit Role.The rest of us have non D&D jobs and famlies too.. I've been gaming for 40 years myself. I don't DM, but I know how much work and creativity it takes. And I appreciate everyone that gives it a shot. Just finding time to make it to a session, Let alone plan an entire campaign.

Great video! Not every D&D game needs to mimic the style of gameplay as seen in CR, but being organized, not wasting time, being respectful, and listening to each other can greatly enhance the enjoyment of the hobby, regardless of what style of D&D you’re playing.

My first experience with D&D was a Puffin Forest fan animation for Critical Role a few years ago. Now I own far too many dice...

@TheADHDNerd

3 жыл бұрын

You can never have too many dice. Lol

Looking up Matt Mercer after hearing about the Matt Mercer effect, I was surprised at how humble and wise he came across. In my opinion, the Matt Mercer effect only is a thing for new people entering their first session because the rest of us know each table has its own dynamic. And you know, if those players come in an expect it to be like critical role and hold up the player's end of the bargain, is that really a bad thing?

@irishthump73

3 жыл бұрын

That’s exactly right. Matt Mercer has said himself in interviews how upset he is that this effect exists.

I like that you highlight that Matt Mercer has fantastic players that lift the game up. Could you imagine Mercer DMing a group of five that's more preoccupied with messing with him or making crude jokes than actually playing?

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

yes. Actually, it would make a funny episode.

@olivermeloche2042

3 жыл бұрын

He stated that previously playing with what he called a more "beer and pretzel guy" he just killed all the players with falling rocks

@such_a_dork

3 жыл бұрын

Well, there was Vox Moronica.

@PaulGuy

3 жыл бұрын

You basically just described Laura Bailey, lol.

To be fair, how Travis's character became multi-classed is a major storyline of the campaign.

@FatManWayne224

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed. In fact breaking a pact with an evil patron and becoming a champion of divine good seems like a pretty classic story arch. It seems incredibly limiting to tell a player the path he picked at first level is the only direction the character is allowed to grow into. Now after he broke the pact, should he have been allowed to dip back into warlock to unlock fifth level spells? That I probably wouldn’t allow.

@darrenrogers2887

3 жыл бұрын

@@FatManWayne224 Yet with the Wildmother as his matron, it would be easy for her to grant Fjord his Warlock powers back. In fact, the descriptions of Fjord's 'lock abilities took on a very distinct Natural turn after she accepted Fjord.

@0ldSch00l13

3 жыл бұрын

It's the only way I allow multi-classing in my games. Sure, you can do it, but there needs to be a better reason than "I found this cool build..." A 1st level fighter isn't just going to become a wizard at 2nd level because his player wanted a wizard in heavy armor, but a 1st level fighter that was constantly obsessed with magic, collecting all the magical scrolls and writings he could find, and pestering every mage the party encountered to teach him probably could.

@anthonynorman7545

3 жыл бұрын

@@0ldSch00l13 how many mages and scrolls is a character going to meet between levels 1 and 2?

@2efue833

3 жыл бұрын

@@anthonynorman7545 depends on how mean the dm is, but the player could probably write it into their backstory

You mention that if you were DMing Matt's players you wouldn't let Travis dual class as Warlock/Paladin. I recall from other videos that you dislike dual classing because it rarely comes from a place of character motivation or character development and usually comes from the players wanting cool abilities from other classes. Since you only watched the one episode, let me tell you that I think you'd approve of dual classing in the way that Travis did it. Spoilers ahead for anyone in the middle of watching Critical Role campaign 2. Travis's character, Fjord, started out as a warlock, and was just a warlock for the majority of the show. However, Fjord's patron began making demands that he didn't want to meet. When it became clear to Fjord's patron that Fjord had no intention of meeting those demands, he briefly took away Fjord's powers. Fjord couldn't cast any warlock spells for a while. Eventually Fjord made the decision that he didn't want to be a warlock any longer and threw away his hexblade weapon (since he was a hexblade warlock) essentially breaking his pact. With the guidance of one of the group's clerics he took on the role of a paladin instead. His new deity protected him from the will of his former patron, granting him new abilities along with restoring the old abilities he had lost. That's why he is a dual class warlock/paladin. Not cuz he wanted some cool paladin abilities at level 10 or whatever. He did it because it made sense for his character, his situation, and the party members who influenced him.

@JB33809

3 жыл бұрын

There's also just... nothing wrong with multiclassing. It's fine if people don't like it, but it can be a way to spice things up if you want to do something you haven't tried before, or want to experiment with different classes. And Paladin and Warlock do have a lot of thematic overlap as well as working together pretty well. Nothing says that only the good gods have paladins, nothing says warlocks must be evil. There's also nothing saying warlocks lose their powers if they displease their patron.

@andregalhardo3978

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a very lame justification.... would be more accurate if he gained a level in paladin and was not able to restore his abilities as a warlock. Go figure.

@ThenameisMarsh

3 жыл бұрын

@@andregalhardo3978 It's true that its a bit weird that his Paladin deity is also now the source of his Warlock abilities, but I don't think it completely breaks logic to say that his deity can bestow many different powers. In the end those are the kind of accommodations you have to make to keep your game balanced while also trying to tell a coherent story. If Matt just stripped Travis's character of all his Warlock abilities that would basically nullify his involvement in combat for the rest of the campaign. You shouldn't have to make those kinds of sacrifices just to tell a story about somebody going through major life changes in your game.

@notronsivart

3 жыл бұрын

He also got a new weapon after tossing his original Hexblade. Star Razor was his Hexblade and he channeled the power of Melora rather than Uk'otoa. So while becoming a Paladin of Melora, he also wielded a Hexblade still.

@andregalhardo3978

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThenameisMarsh I think he shuold strip travis of all his abilities, its the price in lore for his crisis. But if you think its too much, then just change his class from warlock to full paladin. The current way its pretty much "will take this other class for nice abilities" with a lame excuse. If you think about it, you can create any kind of lame excuse for any multiclass character, thats common, everybody does it.

This made me feel really grateful to have the groups that I play with! With occasional exceptions, everybody is supportive. I don’t know if a great DM can truly run a great game without great players!

@TheK5K

3 жыл бұрын

Your videos have made me reach the conclusion you could calm a sea of angry otters into playing nice - so, much of your players reaction may be your doing. Keep it up!

I would just like to let everyone know that matt has some social phobias and an old speech problem and he has worked so hard to be were he is so he deserves love he has taught me more about dming than anyone ever has and I've never met him

Part of the problem is that he is not doing the same thing that we are at the table. He is hosting a reality show, which may or may not have preplanned moments. We are playing a narrative wargame. Technically its framed around the same ruleset but functionally two totally different things.

This was respectful, and extremely well done. I have learned so much as DM from watching Mercer. I do not hold myself to the same standard, but it gives me a direction to work on. Thank you for making the most fair and respectful Matt Mercer Effect videos to date!🙂👍

I would agree with 97% of what you said... however, having watched all of campaign 2, there are a number of times where players are slow to decide what to do/attack and where their character would be on the battle mat. Matt will ask, "What are you doing?" to help move his undecided player along. I think the thing to remember is that it's all practice... lots of practice and that even if you attain a "Matt Mercer level of DMing", there are still situations and times when he could improve. It's a great reminder that when learning anything, there's always more to learn even when you achieve a "master" level... learning never stops.

@justingentry7458

3 жыл бұрын

And usually where he can improve he admits it. He has made questionable calls and owns up to it later. It's refreshing to see.

@jshud3

3 жыл бұрын

@@justingentry7458 agree with you completely! Matthew would probably be the first to admit he can coninue to improve.

@chrisessick7192

3 жыл бұрын

You can also notice it if you go back to the early days of campaign 1. Production value, acting everything improves with time and effort.

I have watched the beginnings of Crit Role's second campaign a few times. These couple of episodes are gold for any DM wishing to know how to get things started without the hemming and hahing. Also the first few episodes is what creates the tine of the campaign and it's amazing to see Matt Mercer establish that. But I do agree, his players are equally as important. They do talk out of turn, and a few times Matt has had to hush them. But they listen and get back into character. For an observed opinion (what ever that means) I believe every DM wishes they had 1 to 2 players like Travis. He gets so excited for things that I've seen players react rather blasé over. Shoot, at times I wish I had Travis' enthusiasm.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

I agree. Every GM needs a Travis. Thanks for sharing!

@marcsigner7360

3 жыл бұрын

Man, Travis is hands down such a gem. I mean everyone of the cast is but he really is from my POV about as good as a player can get. As you said, he gets super excited pretty much about everything that happens at the table and is still super respectful towards everyone knowing exactly when to step in and / or let others handle their business. Not to mention that he's also super good at organically moving the game forward when it seems to be coming to somewhat of a halt.

What I learned from Mercer is: It´s your turn, with PlayerX on deck.. So He remembers the next player to think about his actions...

Multi-classing: I actually sort of fall between both perspectives on if to allow it or not. What I like about the way Matt handled it was that here was an in-story reason that is happened to Travis. He had to spend time talking and learning about the god with another cleric player before it happened. It took several episodes of work before he got that other class. In that case, I think it makes sense to allow. Otherwise, how would the character have learned the skills for that class?

@willemverheij3412

3 жыл бұрын

I'm so far still just a player but very much would want all the stuff to make sense for the character. It's also why I am in favour of starting with a feat, but sticking to stuff not really combat related, just to work out that background better. But for all things, the player would need to be able to tell WHY their character has it. Where did they learn this? Of course as they level they learn things along the way, but you can work in a little foreshadowing there in stuff you plan to get later. Like a character growing a bit more paranoid and suspicious from getting ambushed before they take the alert feat. But someone with a town guard background starting with an alert feat would make sense, good fit for a variant human.

Great analysis. Brilliant to hear some love and, at the same time, a rational critique of CR, plus the things we can all learn from it. Informative and entertaining as usual, thanks.

I love watching Critical Role. Matt is an amazing DM and world builder. I've been playing D&D for around 25 years now. And I've only DMed once. and it was only for one session. I am currently writing a game now and Matt has helped me with how I wanna run my game.

Matt Mercer is a great DM. But you hit the nail right on the head about his players. They’re A1 in my book. Great video as always.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

To add some insight from my game: We played the 5e essentials kit to the end from last year to a couple of months back (online). I then pivoted and added stuff from character's backstories and extra events based on ripples the PC's actions made. (Orcs, wererats, Neverwinter etc.). The campaign came to a screeching halt about 5 sessions later because I did not have any more prepared stuff to run and I stopped to look at my stuff constantly. Both DMs and players can fall victim to the looking up and too litle prep curse. Since I started watching the prof some weeks ago, I have gained so much insight into prep that I can say my mindset as a DM changed drastically. Prep minimalistically but prep well! It's the quality of the prep that carries the game! Thanks prof!

He’s a professional actor and has plenty of time to prepare for the game. He’s done a lot for the game. Agreed it takes practice

As always, well reasoned material. We can all learn from each other, that is why we're here. FYI- Travis' multi-class had a very good in game reason. His patron royally screwed him, his character sought help from one of the clerics. The crew went to a volcano with magical properties to rid the world of his tainted sword and forge a new blade. The Wild Mother visited him in a dream...you get the idea. I suspect you might have allowed the multi-class under similar circumstances? Thanks for all of the great content!

Hey mat Mercer is here, He does the same thing you do, Only he's good.... I would say Ouch, but Honestly while mat is incredibly good, he is also inspiring. I quite enjoy your channel and your ability to analyze is top notch. Mat is a professional in many ways, and it's hard to keep up with his level of well amazing narrative talent. Dungeons and dragons is better off now that critical role has become so popular. And I'm proud to call myself a critter. I've been playing since 1979 those it's been over a decade since I've played at a table. I do miss it, but feel almost like I'm playing when watching critical role. Keep doing the amazing job you have been... happy to be a subscriber.

Great video!

@danielwatson2701

3 жыл бұрын

Kugo you play D&D?!

Really appreciate the respect you show Matt in this vid. Sometimes, the OSR can be a little...I'm trying to think of a nicer way of saying "grognardy" about Critical Role and I have seen a litany of posts trying to claim that for one reason or another, Matt is not a good DM. Which is crazy to me. That guy is crazy good. Do I agree with every call he makes? Nah. But I respect the HELL out of the game he runs. Wish I was half as good as him creating physical terrain. Maybe I'd be more into the minis end of the game if I were. He got way more devious with traps this last campaign also. As understandable as I find the frustration over the Matt Mercer effect, that's really not his fault. Watching his show always charges me up to DM again. It's always firing up my inspiration. Anyway, thanks for validating my biases, Professor! Appreciate it.

@paavohirn3728

3 жыл бұрын

He seems to use a lot of Dwarven Forge terrain.

@paxtenebrae

3 жыл бұрын

@@paavohirn3728 Yeah, it's not the materials I envy, but the artistry of his application of them. Dwarven Forge helps a lot, but he's doing lights and smoke effects and all sorts of wild stuff! Stuff I wouldn't even begin to know how to replicate...and also certainly do not have the patience to learn, haha!

@paavohirn3728

3 жыл бұрын

@@paxtenebrae Yeah! There's no denying his mastery in that area as well as many others. It does help when you have thousands of dollars /euros worth terrain pieces as well as other equipment.

I think the Matt Mercer Effect honestly helped me become a much better dungeons and dragons player. I went into my first DnD campaign about two and a half years ago, after watching the first few episodes of Campaign 2. I enjoyed it at first but soon came to realize how little my DM and the other players around me seemed to care about the world and the characters. Eventually, I decided to DM campaigns myself, with a multitude of trial and error and dead campaigns. However, Matthew Mercer inspires me to put thought and care into the world, story, descriptions, and enthusiasm, and especially love and attention to the players and their characters. Learning Matt's philosophy when it comes to DnD and following his footsteps while creating my own path has made me a DM that my current players look up to and enjoy hopping onto Zoom once a week to play some Dungeons and Dragons!

The first portion that you described about keeping eye contact, avoiding verbal pauses, etc... these are the great skills of speakers and people who give presentations.

"My analysis of these players is they are not normal..." lol

Love the new Deathbringer. Your patented fire-flicker lighting would look great on the walls behind the Moloch statue.

I would add that Matt Mercer loves the game and that really comes out.

People forget that a lot of GMs are introverts so maintaining that level of energy is incredibly exhausting.

@benvoliothefirst

3 жыл бұрын

Matt used acting and speech therapy to get over his social anxiety and bad stutter as a kid... you can improve at anything if you're prepared to fail more than anyone else and keep trying.

@davidmorgan6896

3 жыл бұрын

I'm introverted, but used to deliver week long training courses, I just needed alone time to recover. Yes, GMing it is exhausting, but so is sport if you commit to it.

@barnebyoconnell8176

3 жыл бұрын

It's pretty shitty that people are telling you to just get over it. Ignoring the point that not everyone is excited by or enjoys being incredibly high energy. I feel you buddy.

@davidmorgan6896

3 жыл бұрын

@@barnebyoconnell8176 introverts are not, necessarily, not "high energy", we just find social interaction tiring. I'm pretty sure that marathon runners find their hobby tiring too.

@m_d1905

3 жыл бұрын

I find that yes it is intense and exhausting, I do feed off the energy of my players, at least in game a d for a small bit after. That being said, down time alone is very important for my mental balance. If your players are ok with how you run a game and everyone is having fun, it's all good. I've seen some online streaming games that were so low energy I had to quit watching. That doesn't mean the games were bad, just not what I want on a live stream.

worth also checking out a Critical Role episode in C1 Ep1-24, when they were new to streaming

@travisbuschette8609

3 жыл бұрын

When he complimented the cast on not snacking, my mind flashed back to those early days 😂

My eye contact is terrible. Always has been an issue for me. It's like looking into people's eyes steals my soul and I must guard it.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

I literally laughed out loud at that.

@commandercaptain4664

3 жыл бұрын

Well, at least you're not a Beholder, there's that.

@PhyreI3ird

3 жыл бұрын

It's funny to see someone say that, because I've always had trouble with it because I come across people at random who I just scare with my eye contact. As if they think I'm stealing their soul in the process or something. Idfk. I really don't like unnerving people so I just play it safe and avoid eye contact in general.

@zednumar6917

3 жыл бұрын

Have you tried doing stare-down contests or staring into a mirror for practice?

@m_d1905

3 жыл бұрын

@@PhyreI3ird I've been told I have a pretty intense look when looking someone in the eye. I've never seen it, but I can only see myself in the mirror and I always look the same to me.

Great episode as ever. Love the emphasis on player contribution and responsibility towards making an awesome game.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Another great lecture from The Professor!

The Matt Mercer effect also had another effect, it makes other DM's want to perfect their craft like he does. I see that as something rather good tbh.

It would be cool to have you and Hankerin' on a stream together, any chance that could happen? Great breakdown!

@miloklassen3792

3 жыл бұрын

YES PLEASE!!!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Possible. It’s up to him.

@Grimlore82

3 жыл бұрын

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 we shall head to the Runehammer discord! Let's go shields!!

I think it's less a knack for voices but a knack for storytelling... Something both you and Matt have.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Fantastic summary! Thanks for this

"They joke.. even at Matt's Expense, but they don't get carried away" LOL y'all remember how long it took the team to recover from Shiver and Quif

@jesterssketchbook

3 жыл бұрын

i think marisha is still chuckling as we speak :D

Lol!!! “They’re lucky YOU show up!”

As a newer DM, just ending my first year, Mercer has been a great teacher. I don’t hold myself to his standard, nor do I imitate him, but I watch what he does and if I find that I’m a little weak in one area, I pay attention to what his techniques are.

As a fan who has watched all of your episodes several times, I just want to say that this may be one of your best videos to date. Love the voice samples, too!

When did Deathbringer level up his appearance??? He looks fantastic now!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

A month ago.

@JMS_Hunter

3 жыл бұрын

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 😅 I was expecting a response more like "after endless battles and perfecting the craft of bringing his enemies life's to an end. It was able to achieve the current level of power. Liking and subscribing also helped"

Damn I am so spoiled to have such a good group of players. I have a WFRP 2e group of six players and I let them role play NPC’s with me when their characters aren’t part of the scene. They never try to finesse/cheat like all these stories I keep hearing about from other groups. Keeps them in the game and also allows them to role play random characters/personalities/accents.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! You are lucky!

@commandercaptain4664

3 жыл бұрын

I thought of doing the player NPC thing as well, with limited bios and stats, to make party splits and personal stories easier.

LOved this video! Kept me laughing through the whole video. ...and great points. Keep up the great work.

That was a great video, thank you!

Loved this! I'd also love to see your take on Matt Colville's stuff and if you learned anything from his game and work.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Lol. When I first started I talked a mile a minute like Coleville. I just thought that's what KZread DM's did!

Critical Role is half Matt and half the cast. The next time your brother in law compare you to Matt, compare him to Liam

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Lol. Good one.

@mc171

3 жыл бұрын

lol

Awesome work as always sir :)

The +1 vest is not needed on this one. Everything said here is pure gold. Thanks, Professor Dungeon Master!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. You always have to wear the vest when talking about CR. Some fans are...well....they're FANS.

Actually, Matt ups the stakes on higher level pretty well, so the argument against high level games does not really stand here. In episode 132, a player almost got knocked out entirely after 1 hit from a monster. And that player had about 100 hit points... Just pick higher level monsters.

Great video! I would love to see you do a similar analysis of Brennan Lee Mulligan from Dimension 20. He is also excellent but has a different skill set from Mercer. The Crown of Candy campaign has some elements that I think would fit with your philosophy

@tinaprice4948

3 жыл бұрын

I tried watching Brennan and he was too over the top where it just got annoying to watch, it felt i don't know too fake?

@seangreen6456

3 жыл бұрын

@@tinaprice4948 To each their own. I really enjoy his campaign settings and the relationships he builds between his players and his npcs.

@tylerwellman8252

3 жыл бұрын

I think Brennan is awesome. I enjoy his sketch comedy, and when I found out he was a DM I knew I had to check it out. He has a certain energy that just brings the table to life.

This vid was perfection. You pointed out truly how it is; what are the advantages he has with him and the Critical Role's production behind him.

I always enjoy your videos, your humility and advice. 👍 Thanks

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

2 жыл бұрын

I’m sharing this with my wife and close friends. They think I’m an arrogant jerk!

Ive rewinded and watched you doing your Demon Jack Nicholson like 10 times and its amazing

@commandercaptain4664

3 жыл бұрын

cue John Williams...

The problem with the Mercer effect is that it has finally wrapped DMing into the cult of perfection. The idea that in any endeavour you undertake, even for fun, you must strive to be the best in the world, which is extremely problematic. I consider myself a pretty good DM, but I don't want to run a game like Mercer does, and I don't want to be compared to any other DMs, especially not celebrities. Let people be mediocre, or pretty good, or heck even kind of bad, as long as they're enjoying themselves. But holding DMs to a standard, any standard, is bad for the hobby, because it is just a hobby.

@bonbondurjdr6553

3 жыл бұрын

it's because D&D is now sold as a lifestyle rather than a fun game. And Matt, no matter how much the poor guy doesn't want that, has become THE ultimate GM according to the Critters. And yes, if you uphold your GM as if he was supposed to be M.M., you're a Critter.

@insertnamehere8121

3 жыл бұрын

@@bonbondurjdr6553 " *it's because D&D is now sold as a lifestyle rather than a fun game* " This is a widespread cultural problem in the west as it relates to fictional IPs, from Marvel Comics to Dr Who and Star Wars. Theres clearly a life meaning & fulfillment deficiency within the modern west. Part of this is a progressing no-limits extension of adolescents. Its not a coincidence that the same modern culture has produced sentiments and terms (used by adults mind you) like "adulting"

@bonbondurjdr6553

3 жыл бұрын

@@insertnamehere8121 agreed.

@DireSwift

3 жыл бұрын

In the last 3 years I've had more players expecting the CR experience than the previous 30 combined. I love CR but it's because they are trained professional voice actors who all know each other extremely well and that shines in their RP. That chemistry on top of the acting between the whole cast (not just Matt Mercer) is what makes CR what it is. It wouldn't be going out very far on a limb to realize most groups that attempt that are going to fall well short and at least some of the players are going to have an unsatisfying DnD experience because of it especially if acting isn't their thing. It's great when you can pull it off but I'm not that DM and most players aren't those characters. I put a disclaimer right up front anymore that this isn't CR and I'm not Matt Mercer because inevitably someone will expect it in a random online game.

@justinphillips8282

3 жыл бұрын

@@bonbondurjdr6553 critters are peak cringe.

Nice review Professor, very well rounded!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I love this. Immediately sharing.

For every 1 bad DM, there are droves of bad players that think they are under no obligation to bring "fun" to the table/game. Its just numbers, some ** magical other people ** arent drawn to the role of DM. So the numbers and odds say that again, for every 1 "bad" DM, there are many more "bad" players.

My biggest problem with the so called "Matt Mercer Effect" is that it blames Matt for something that is actually other peoples' problems. Matt has never said that he should be emulated, that his style is the "correct style," or that he is even a good DM. In fact, he is often saying the OPPOSITE of these things. Yet it's OTHER people that take their "hero worship" of him a little too far in wanting others to be exactly like him. I love Matt Mercer, and I love Critical Role, and when I was first learning to DM, I did take a lot of cues from Matt's style. It made it an easy way to start. I kept what I liked and changed what I wanted to change to suit my own style. But at the end of the day, it's not Matt's fault. It's the people with unreasonable perceptions and their unwillingness to be understanding of others' capabilities. You wouldn't see a children's first production of a play and complain that they aren't as good as Oscar winning actors; if you love Quentin Tarantino as a director, you probably wouldn't hate every other film released simply because they weren't directed by him. People just need to be more decent to each other, especially when it's a situation where everyone is just trying to have some fun together.

Another great video, Prof.

One of the best vids yet.

Good takes. People don't give anywhere near enough credit to Mercer's players when considering the quality of their game.

@taragnor

3 жыл бұрын

If you wish your DM was Mercer, your DM probably wishes you were like Mercer's PCs.

Good thoughts on the players helping out :)

I researched for "Mercer effect" and find your channel. Already subscribed. Awesome videos, master. :D

Really great video!

One thing you are overlooking when talking about them being "professional actors playing players playing characters" -- this was a private game among friends for several years before they started streaming it. There area a few semi-candid clips (smartphone vids) of their game months or years before Critical Role first aired. They are "real players & friends _first_ who are _also_ professional actors entertaining an audience by putting their game on stream". Being real players & friends _first_ is where so much chemistry comes from. Being professional actors means they can improv and otherwise be good at entertaining an audience. Other rpg streams I've watched are either "players (not necessarily previously friends) playing game _first_ and not professional performers" _or_ "performers putting on a _show_ first, and playing a game second". The former can be interesting but usually a bit boring. That latter are generally over-produced and trying too hard to put on a show. The fun of actually playing the game gets lost.

@kingwildcat6192000

3 жыл бұрын

While yes it started out as them being just a group of friends and majority of early season 1 was just that them playing their characters but over time they have gone away from being a group of players and overall went into being actors that are playing as players that are playing their characters as over time they went from just playing the game to not playing for the audience and themselves. Its not like many of the other dnd games on youtube and twitch where its literally a group of friends playing in their dinning room, CR put a lot of time in making a studio to have everything set up for the audience to have the best of everything. Due to this they are no longer simply people playing dnd anymore its more a job as they have staff they have to pay and a studio to rent.

@stevewood694

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed. The haters all love to say, "If I was paid to DM, I'd be amazing too!" - as if Matt has been a paid DM for 30 years. That's not the case. He, as the author of this video stated, spent his 1000 hours practicing before Critical Role came about. Same for the players. Sure, they're all actors; but they aren't acting in game to make it better for the audience - it's just how they play. I'm sure they RPd just as hard in their home game because it's what they enjoy.

@GreylanderTV

3 жыл бұрын

@@kingwildcat6192000 It is impossible for them not to become conscious of the audience and success over time. Of course that impacts what they do on camera to some extent. Even if they try not to, they will no doubt at least have in the back of their minds what the fans will think about what they do. Still even in the latest episodes, it strikes that they are playing the game first and putting on a show second.

@GreylanderTV

3 жыл бұрын

@@stevewood694 They are no doubt more aware of the audience than at the beginning. I'm sure there are some things they do consciously or unconsciously now that are "for the show", hopefully for the better, in terms of making entertainment. There are no doubt things they would do differently in a private game.

@kingwildcat6192000

3 жыл бұрын

@@stevewood694 While yes I do agree mostly, and believe they had done just as much rp before CR was a thing doesnt change my opinion that they became more of a "reality TV show" now then they were originally. MM did state he had no idea how the internet would react to their game but again over time (im saying their dming is amazing cause their getting paid, nor ignoring their hard work and hours spent perfecting and practicing) but at some point they moved away from friends behind a camera to actors putting on a show for the camera

The best thing about Matt's players is how over the top they react when they roll the dice.

Very well done. Wonderful insight.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly!

This video has given me the biggest revelation in my Dungeon Master career!

I think Matt is great and watch every episode. That said, I'd rather play in one of your games, PDM. Great vid.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Tbh I dislike the term "Matt Mercer effect" seems like its attributing something negative in the roleplaying space to him on top of that he doesnt make critical role what it is alone. His players are as amazing as him. If anything it should be called the critical role effect.

JOY, seeing you do the accents was delightful. Surprise us by slipping them in occasionally!

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the compliment. I'll do my best!

Awesome video love the analysis

I think the whole point about being paid holds little water. While true, they were like this before there were any cameras, and will when they finally go back to their home game. They are very explicitly friends first, DnD players second, and Business partners last. The players obviously dont want Matt or eachother to fail, but money is the last reason

@skyblazeeterno

Жыл бұрын

Its a business - money is the first reason

I am going to get burned for this..but alas. I am a DM now for 41 years..i know, i know, i'm old. I LOVE being a DM, my first great adventure was the Elemental evil campaign. Sinds then i make my own campaign and they all last about 2 to 3 years, up to level 15 or 16 and then finish. So far the back story. I am now the DM for a group with my grownup son and his friends, and they all listen to critical role. And one day they all just finished a session and we went on talking about D&D. And they all thought i was a fantastic DM, with cool campaigns, but not as good as Matt Mercer..i shall not lie..that hurt me real bad..i almost thought about stopping with them..even with the game. I did not quit, but i feel real sorry for all the new small children (i was only 12 when i started playing) who try to be a DM, and then have other players who rate you against Matt Mercer.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Ouch. Nothing stings like criticism from a 12 year old. Thanks for all you do. We need raise the youngins right!

@user-dd9dh9kw5c

3 жыл бұрын

The worst part is I actually can't stand Critical role is doesn't feel like any DnD I have ever DM'd or played. It has this almost fake heir to it and gives a very very dishonest take on DnD.

@SonofSethoitae

3 жыл бұрын

@@user-dd9dh9kw5c it's not dishonest to play your game your way, and for them to play their game theirs

Great vid! Love your stuff, and I admire Mercer a lot too. 🤓🎲

A lot of people are commenting on how scripted Critical Role seems. I believe that this is mostly the skills of the players on display. The low "perma-death" seems to be part of the style of game that they are playing. They are playing a game that has far more emphasis on role play and storytelling. Death of a player would disrupt the story but a near-death makes for exciting viewing.

the mercer effect is silly. if someone tells you you're dming wrong show them the door.

@DUNGEONCRAFT1

3 жыл бұрын

Deathbringer agrees.

@shanekayat3217

3 жыл бұрын

Is the door a mimic?

@Fnordathoth

3 жыл бұрын

@@shanekayat3217 preferably :)

Thank you sir for the excellent advice!

I was just listening to this video while doing some chores. Those accents caught me off guard, too good. I too rewind and watch to make sure it was the professor making all those voices

When I go too long without Dungeon Craft the level drain is real.