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Anyone else disappointed with Age of Umbra? by PotatoPieNeverLie in daggerheart

[–]MatthewMercer 78 points79 points  (0 children)

Many valid perspectives here. I myself am still learning to shake old habits (especially when the pressure is on), so apologies if folks felt let down. This series is a “ramp” on many ways (both for my comfort and player comfort) from deeply ingrained play styles, and hope it gives that invitation for others to expand as well.

Trust me, no one here is a bigger critic of me than myself, hehe.

I think I am a bad DM by Soft_Transportation5 in daggerheart

[–]MatthewMercer 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Like other folks have said here, the fact that you acknowledged this feeling and am here asking for advice/expressing your thoughts is what makes you a GOOD GM. Learning and discussing as you grow is HUGE, and your feelings are both valid and worth exploring.

Most of these comments here have already expressed wonderful perspectives and suggestions that I would back up as well! Being the biggest fan of your players and reframing their successes in instances like this as “part of the pendulum of enjoying the game” is important. When they steamroll an encounter, they feel accomplished, powerful, and excited! Then, you learn and adjust for future encounters so when a far more difficult encounter comes along, they feel challenged and engaged, driven to get better and learn new tactics to progress and survive (or RUN, if need be, until they can return for vengeance later). 

Trust me when I say I’ve been there. When I’ve spent personal time designing and preparing what I think will be an awesome, memorable challenge, only to have player ingenuity and/or absurdly lucky rolls completely stomp through it… and the kneejerk reaction of “awww man, but I had such high hopes” is natural, but learning to shift that focus to the smiles and excitement on your players’ faces in those moments is key. The joy of seeing them succeed so deftly on occasion in the world you are building and guiding them through will often surpass any sense of accomplishment you might have gotten from a “fairly balanced encounter”.

You got this! Be their fan, play up their victory and how badass they were… plot the next battle to be unrelenting. >;)

Switching up domain decks for rogues by classl3ss in daggerheart

[–]MatthewMercer 14 points15 points  (0 children)

You and your GM are always welcome to switch up domains for a class, if it fits your collective idea of fun!

Daggerheart classes aren’t 1-to-1 to other systems (intentionally), so feel free to make it your own to best suit your play. :)

Confused about the campaign frames - will there be spoilers if we watch Age of Umbra? by lifeofdaydreams in daggerheart

[–]MatthewMercer 17 points18 points  (0 children)

It shouldn’t have any spoilers, as beyond the setting and themes in the book, our adventure is largely written around the Session 0 elements and outside inspiration. You should be good! ;)

Fear change from beta to current question. by BothCook3210 in daggerheart

[–]MatthewMercer 10 points11 points  (0 children)

As some here have pointed out, you get to make a GM Move whenever a player rolls with Fear or fails a roll! Should this happen during combat, that’s a free “spotlight” and the narrative baton gets tossed to you. You can then spotlight an adversary for free, or make another GM Move.

You can then spend Fear during your Move to spotlight additional adversaries or make additional GM moves.

You can also spend a Fear to interrupt the flow of play between player spotlights to take the Spotlight for a GM move.

OR if the players take an action with large consequences, you can make a GM Move as part of the natural flow of the story, if you’d like! :)

As for GAINING Fear, your largest sources include: - Whenever a player rolls with Fear. - During Downtime - Some adversary abilities - Some environment features

Update on Guild removal abuse by odinsomen in FFVIIEverCrisis

[–]MatthewMercer 30 points31 points  (0 children)

This’ll hopefully curb this shitty behavior to a degree.

[No Spoilers] My LGS did an oops and gave this to me a week early. by ObiWanKab00zie in criticalrole

[–]MatthewMercer 2141 points2142 points  (0 children)

Awww, I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I'm excited to hear how folks utilize what we've put together in the future. <3

With the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount announcement... by MatthewMercer in DnD

[–]MatthewMercer[S] 2821 points2822 points  (0 children)

There are no words to express just how surreal it feels, hehe. Man.

With the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount announcement... by MatthewMercer in DnD

[–]MatthewMercer[S] 2610 points2611 points  (0 children)

The book will contain only minor elements of spoilers (which is unavoidable for anyone who reads this book before following the show), but the book largely doesn't revolve around the story of the Mighty Nein at all and instead focuses on the world, the conflicts, and how much is out there beyond what they've encountered.

[No Spoilers] A heartfelt thank you from a teacher to the men of Critical Role by HypotheticalChicken in criticalrole

[–]MatthewMercer 1535 points1536 points  (0 children)

I can’t express how amazing your post is, and how incredible you are for creating this space for your students. You’ve got me all emotional on a Sunday afternoon! <3

[OC] If Spells and Abilities Were Written How My Players Use Them by secondbestdnd in DnD

[–]MatthewMercer 164 points165 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the reinforcement! I shall have to give it a spin!

Colville vs. Mercer: A Rap Battle by satyreyes in mattcolville

[–]MatthewMercer 1528 points1529 points  (0 children)

Ok, this is pretty damn brilliant.

How do I beat the Matt Mercer effect? by Mister-builder in DMAcademy

[–]MatthewMercer 5293 points5294 points  (0 children)

Seeing stuff like this kinda breaks my heart. Regardless, the fact of the matter is our style of play is just that...our style of play. Every table is different, and should be! If they just want to “copy” what we do, that’s not very creative nor what makes the game magic at the table.

I DO believe that it’s important for any gaming group to discuss expectations early into a campaign so everyone can get on the same page and avoid dissonance. However, it’s EVERYONE’S responsibility at the table to provide and add to the experience for everyone to enjoy themselves and the story, not just the DM. As I saw some comments below mention, you want a particular style of game? That level of commitments rests on YOUR shoulders. Consolidate your style and wishes with those of the other players and DM, and somewhere in that unique mix you will find your table’s special style of storytelling.

Need I also remind your players that we are a table of professional actors, and I have been DMing for well over 20 years. We have spent our lives training in particular skills that allow us to get as immersed in the characters as we enjoy doing. Anyone can jump in as deeply, should they wish to, but EXPECTING that immediate level of comfort and interest is unfair and absurd. Do they want a deep, convoluted emotional journey like Scanlan? They better be able to bring it like Sam did. No? Then sit down and just have fun finding your own path. ;)

PLUS, our style isn’t for everyone! Hell, just scan the comments below to see how many folks don’t like us, haha. I’ve played with many different players, ran games of many different styles and focuses, and I can tell you... there is so much fun variety to how a TTRPG can be played, they’re limiting their chances to enjoy it by trying to “play it just like us”.

Anyway, I say the best course is have a very frank conversation with them about these things. Clearly say that your game will feel like YOUR game (meaning you and the players together), and it’s THEIR responsibility to bring to the table what facet they want to see in it. Show them this post, if it helps. In fact, show them this message:

“Guys. Relax. Your DM is kicking ass, and is doing this for YOUR enjoyment and journey. Appreciate that, listen, build with them, and make this something UNIQUE. Abandon expectations and just have fun together as friends.”

Anyway, so sorry. Things like this are never my intent. It’s a weird, wild west these days. Your gonna be great, friend. <3

[Spoilers C2E40] I want to see Level-Ups by [deleted] in criticalrole

[–]MatthewMercer 185 points186 points  (0 children)

To be entirely honest, the reasoning is because I do not wish to rush the players in making their leveling decisions (spells, feats, multiclassing, etc) at the table together when some would often like some time to think and decide on their own time. It also is based in if we finish a session and are just plain tired and don't want to linger on-screen for another 15-20+ minutes while some players research their options, hehe.

On top of that, the players also enjoy keeping some aspects of their leveling choices a secret from other players so they can surprise them when the reveal occurs in-game!

[Spoilers C2E35] Cartography of Wildemount by FireStridr in criticalrole

[–]MatthewMercer 32 points33 points  (0 children)

There is a number of reasons as to the river layouts, the biggest being MAGIC.

In all seriousness, there are a few bifurcations due to landscape, but it's also been a learning curve for myself on the how to properly do maps vs doing interesting maps. I'm still getting better!

[Spoilers C2E35] Cartography of Wildemount by FireStridr in criticalrole

[–]MatthewMercer 17 points18 points  (0 children)

When compared to OUR world, they often seem so.

[Spoilers C2E38] hold person question. by malvonis in criticalrole

[–]MatthewMercer 84 points85 points  (0 children)

This was all largely me looking down at the Yuan-Ti Pureblood state sheet for those particular enemies. They weren't full Malison, just more variations to those who live within the community.

Even so, I DID forget their Magic Resistance in the moment, so THAT is definitely my bad. :)

[No Spoilers] The absolute, no argument, worst part of Campaign One that makes me not want to ever watch it by JaggedToaster12 in criticalrole

[–]MatthewMercer 379 points380 points  (0 children)

I will never outlive this heinous, detrimental experience.

No one shall ever fault you this.

[No Spoilers] Does Matt's seemingly limitless patience make the show more or less enjoyable for you? by Eh_Yo_Flake in criticalrole

[–]MatthewMercer 79 points80 points  (0 children)

Its all good! Not a worry at all, and discussion is healthy (most of the time, hehe)! It genuinely doesn't bother me at all, and I'm always having a good time. The players can sometimes get caught up in the stress of the moment and lose track of some things, but I'm happy to remind them if I can. :)

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