Which Critical Role Episodes Are Best To Start With (& Why)

It may feel daunting for those wanting to start watching Critical Role and its Dungeons & Dragons streams, as there are over 200 episodes, each about four hours long. However, it isn’t necessary to watch them in order (though some fans, or “Critters,” may disagree). In fact, many would advise starting with Critical Role‘s second campaign or a story arc later into the first one.

The very first episode of Critical Role was aired two years after the Critical Role cast members already started roleplaying with the show’s characters on their own, prior to playing them live on Geek & Sundry’s Twitch channel in 2015. The second campaign takes place in the same world but with different characters, and it’s set 20 years after the first. This allows the audience to grow with the new characters from day one. Additionally, the first campaign’s production value is rather lacking, compared to later episodes.

There’s really no right or wrong way to start watching or listening to Critical Role, which can also be enjoyed as a podcast. That said, this guide highlights the episodes that make for a great introduction. Additionally, the Critical Role Reddit’s New Viewers Guide lists multiple resources available for those unsure of how to get started with Critical Role.

Critical Role: Best D&D Episodes To Start Watching First

Both campaigns have multiple story arcs that can arguably be enjoyed on their own, but this is more true for the first campaign, “Vox Machina,” as many struggle to get sucked in until later episodes.

• C1E1: Arrival at Kraghammer – Purists naturally recommend starting from the first episode of the first campaign. While the audio is poor in the “Kraghammer” arc, a.k.a. the “Underdark” arc, starting here allows for some minor jokes and references to be understood later, including in the second campaign. However, skipping this arc doesn’t ruin anything, and many find it less interesting by comparison. It can also just be difficult to get past the jarring sound quality.
• C1E14: Shopping and Shipping – Although still part of the first story arc, this episode takes place after the party has returned from the Underdark and receives a reward for completing that mission. It also sets up the second arc and introduces one of the story’s most beloved NPCs, Shaun Gilmore.
• C1E23: The Rematch – This episode concludes the second story arc, so it may be a bit confusing at first, but it also sets up for the “Briarwood” arc, which is a fan favorite. This arc, which technically starts at episode 24, lays the foundation for some great character development and shows the kind of hardcore roleplaying possible in Dungeons & Dragons. 
• C1E39: Omens – Episode 38 is pretty lax, but has some key information in preparation for the “Attack of the Conclave” arc, which is comprised of episodes 39-56. It’s this saga where the “Dragons” in Dungeons & Dragons really comes into play. This arc also provides intriguing backstory for some party members.

There are a total of 115 episodes in the first campaign, but each of these serves as a great starting point for the first campaign. The second campaign, however, known as “The Mighty Nein,” is highly recommended for new Critters to watch, as it makes it easier to fall in love with the cast, which then makes it easier to go back and watch some of the lower-quality sessions of the first campaign.

• C2E1: Curious Beginnings – The first episode sets the stage for the continent of Wildermont, which was briefly visited in Vox Machina. This episode serves as an excellent introduction to Critical Role, due to its better production and its real-time definitions of most major characters’ origins. It’s a great example to show newcomers what they’re getting into. The Mighty Nein is still being filmed weekly (though it’s probably getting close to its end), so Critters who binge these have the added bonus of participating in new livestreams.

Outside of these campaigns, Critical Role one-shots wrap up an entire story in a single session, with many not needing any reference to enjoy them beforehand. There are also multiple Critical Role summaries and recaps that can be found online for Critters who want to quickly catch up to a certain arc.

Source: Reddit

About The Author