FAQ

Questions often asked of Matt and the Critical Role Cast
Does Matt have any recommendations on where to get your dice/minis/props?

Miniature market or Troll and Toad are good options

How far ahead does Matt plan out the games & how many hours is it set up for?

About 4-6+ hours per session average.

How far ahead does Matt plan out things like 3 to 4 sessions down the road or does he plan 1 session at a time?

I try to have a solid few ideas for the next few sessions, and an over arching story/goal/climax, then adjust via player choices.

What kind of paper do you draw your maps on?

1" grid Easel Pads on Amazon.  Find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Adams-Easel-Lines-35-25-EP927342M/dp/B003HKQCOS/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&dpID=41p-I58%2BCGL&dpPl=1&keywords=adams%20grid%20easel%20pad&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&qid=1439324806&ref=plSrch&ref_=mp_s_a_1_1&sr=8-1

Any tips for storytelling?

Be as prepared as possible. Consider multiple paths, Npcs, etc. Episode 12 is a mild DM workshop, so check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8EcS0WYbuc

Do you use a set pantheon or are you more open as far as gods go?

I use the Dawn War pantheon, but with flexible, player additions.

What do you use for sound fx and music?

Playlists I construct using songs from Incompetech, Plate Mail Games, Midnight Syndicate, & fan submissions!

How much of your monologues are pre-written and how many are improv?

I bulletpoint out important NPC knowledge, goals, fears, etc. maybe a few key phrases, but most of it is improv based on that!

Do you have a favorite app for rules you use? What do you use in Critical Role to find spells so fast on your phone?

Fight Club 5

Is there an updated version of Percy's Gunslinger somewhere?

You can find it here. https://www.dropbox.com/s/82o72v47ddc8lzz/Gunslinger%205E.docx?dl=0

Why did you change over from pathfinder to 5E?

Changing over to an online show with so many players, combat tends to get bogged down with a lot of floating modifiers which can make it more difficult to keep it flowing and moving. Once I had taken a look at 5E, it was a little more simplified and easier to take things and just roll with it.

How would you handle character death?

Here is how I run the world. I feel that some of the problems in some RPGs is that death becomes flippant when magic allows you to completely undo it. In my campaigns certain powerful spells like greater restoration, ressurection, and things like that are a challenging, meaning you can definitely undo death but a lot of it is based on your capabilities as a spell caster, your attachment to the people you've been travelling with and so whenever a character does die a ressurection can be attempted but it is a challenge which means there is a possibility of failing in which case the ressurection fails, the soul is lost and the character is permamently dead.

How do you decide on monster encounters appropriate for the party?

http://kobold.club/fight/#/encounter-builder