Critical Role Announces Fourth Campaign — With A New GM!

[Peter Paltridge]

Canonical URL

https://popgeeks.com/critical-role-announces-fourth-campaign-with-a-new-gm/

It took a while, but Critical Role is finally ready to launch their next major campaign…their fourth, after Vox Machina, Mighty Nein and Bells Hells. We don’t know what characters the crew will be playing yet, nor what the name of the gang is, but there are a few big twists in the announcement…like the fact that the story will take place outside of Exandria for the first time, and that Matthew Mercer is stepping down as GM. He is not in charge anymore! That’s not even the craziest thing — the new GM is Brennan Lee Mulligan. As in, the guy who should already be busy running games for his own Actual Play series, Dimension 20. Is he quitting that show? Apparently not…he’s under contract with D20 for three more years. However, that contract apparently does not prevent him from hosting a rival show at the same time. Whah? “What a gift, a privilege and an honor to be invited behind the screen of Critical Role for this next epic adventure,” said Mulligan. “Every collaboration we have had together has brought nothing but sheer joy, and Campaign 4 will be no exception. I’m finally playing *almost* as much tabletop as I’d […]
Read original article here:

Critical Role Announces Fourth Campaign -- With A New GM!

It took a while, but Critical Role is finally ready to launch their next major campaign...their fourth, after Vox Machina, Mighty Nein and Bells Hells. We

popgeeks.com

 

[DungeonMasterX]

I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’ve watched Critical Role since the Vox Machina days. For me, Matthew Mercer is Critical Role. His storytelling, his voices, his emotion — no one can match that. I respect Brennan Lee Mulligan a lot. I’ve seen some of Dimension 20, and he is a great Game Master, but he has a different energy. I hope he doesn’t try to copy Matt and instead brings something original. I’ll still watch it, of course. I love this group and I want to see what this new world is like. But it’s also a little sad to imagine a full campaign without Mercer behind the screen. Maybe he’ll still play as a character? I hope he’s still involved somehow. Campaign 4 sounds like a big risk, and I admire that, but it also feels like the end of an era.

 

[!小龙城]

I get it. Change is part of storytelling. But let’s be honest — I’m really going to miss Leon Kennedy himself, Matthew Mercer. He’s more than just the Game Master to me. He’s the heart of Critical Role. His control of pacing, his deep lore, and yes, even his calm voice — they’ve been part of my weekly routine for years. I know he’s not “Leon” in CR, but hearing him GM always reminded me of how perfectly he is that character. It’s weird to imagine a full campaign without him behind the screen. I’m not saying Brennan won’t do a good job. He’s proven himself. But Matthew brought something that’s hard to replace — that balance of intensity and subtle humor, the kind of emotional control that takes years to master. Brennan has his own style, and I’ll respect that, but I’ll still be thinking of Mercer. Whether he returns as a player or just takes a break, I hope we haven’t seen the last of him as the storyteller. For now, I’ll just pretend Leon’s on a secret mission and will be back soon.

 

[KlingonWarrior87]

So basically, it’s a soft reboot. I don’t buy the “new book” stuff. This feels like a stunt to attract attention. Brennan is cool, yeah, but managing two shows at once sounds like a bad idea. Something’s going to suffer — either Dimension 20 or this. I bet Matt’s just tired and needs a break, which is fine. But don’t pretend this is all part of some grand plan. I’ll watch the first few episodes, but if it turns into just a bunch of goofing around without direction, I’m out.

 

[Yulia]

I cried a little reading this. I started watching Critical Role during a tough time in my life. It became a comfort for me, week after week. Mercer’s voice, the way he painted the world — it always felt safe. So this change feels scary. But I trust them. Brennan is not a stranger. He’s been part of this family already. Maybe it’s okay to try something new. Maybe it’s time for all of us to grow. I’ll miss Exandria, but I’m ready to turn the page with them.

 

[Pressure Transmitter]

I love Exandria, and I’m sad we won’t be exploring more of it for now. There are still so many regions we haven’t seen on-screen. But I’m also curious. If Brennan is building a new setting, I hope he gives us maps, timelines, and strong themes. One thing Critical Role always did well was making their world feel real. I want that again, even if the names and places are all new. Also, I hope there’s some link between the old and new worlds — maybe a character from Exandria ends up in this place? That would be cool.

 

[Death Dance]

Maybe he’ll still play as a character? I hope he’s still involved somehow. Campaign 4 sounds like a big risk, and I admire that, but it also feels like the end of an era.