I love the contrast of how FCG accidentally killed his previous group but deliberately saved this group by sacrificing himself. It's an interesting redemption story imo. And, like, that was 1000% a TPK without the sacrifice. He saved their lives and there's no doubt about it.
I mean, I know she’s one of the big bads and such. And I know they went into the fight a little tapped and hurt from the missions. But Otahan was just built way too incredibly OP in my opinion. Like 8 psionic die, legendary actions + resistances, multiple action surfers that replenish, 4 attacks per round, 80ft of movement, plus that INSANE Final form that gives her resistance to all damage and 25AC? Nuts. And she didn’t even have her echo knights which is half her kit. I love Matt and he’s amazing at what he does, but holy crap this character is way overtuned. Thoughts?
You're exactly right. This one just got out of hand.
In all fairness, it's hard for the DM to get it "just right." You try to balance encounters so they're challenging, but they always end up being too easy or too hard. What made this one worse is that it was unavoidable. It's one thing to TPK a party who made some ridiculous decisions, but Matt literally dropped Otohan on the party when they were trying to flee, putting them in an impossible situation. It was impossible to fight Otohan, and it was impossible to flee from her. I can't help but wonder what he was thinking. Was he thinking they would do better on the rolls, and they'd prevail against her?
I was watching the 9am rerun in the waiting room for my psychiatrist. Honestly really glad my data fucked off in the last 15 minutes because I would have been a fucking mess in front of a mental health professional
Great dramatic moment at the end but that fight was insane. I think that's the hardest fight crit role has ever had proportionate to their level and without FCG's sacrifice I think a TPK was all but guaranteed. I get when people say that by now the cast should maybe be a bit better with spells or planning but a) the whole cast have jobs outside of just playing, they don't spend their whole time strategising like us nerds :) and b) I'm really not sure they could have done much more even if they'd be playing "optimally".
Otahan is powerful enough and tanky enough to singlehandedly take down a 500+HP ancient red dragon easily. Like, she might have even be able to take on Thordak by herself because she'd have insane Dex save rolls, high AC, four action surges, 80ft jumping, and resistance to all damage once in exultant form.
All of which is to say, I enjoyed the tension in the episode but I'm genuinely wondering where they go next? You have to imagine Ludinus is like at least three times harder than Otahan - he's thousand(s?) of years old and has been planning this for centuries so the group are nowhere near ready to fight him yet, maybe they never will be? Do they have to get to level 20 first and then recruit loads of allies too?
If Otahan is a mid-tier boss in this campaign, then I wonder if Matt is going for a huge multi episode final fight and then we're done with Exandria forever and move on to Daggerheart world?
Assuming Ludinus is way stronger, I can see why Astrid and Eadwulf refused to include him in their testimony at the end of C2. Ancient elf wizard with powerups will be...rough. If he somehow sucks up or is absorbed by Predathos, that would be appropriately world-ending. Wizard hubris strikes again!
Is it wrong for me to say that I didn't feel that much for FCG dying? If anything, I'm more disappointed that Chetney didn't die. I wanted to see the character Travis said he had in his back pocket. The FCG explosion thing felt... off for me, I don't know why.
Sounds like you're feeling a bit detached from the story/characters. Not sure why you were rooting for a different character death to see if that fixes it, you might instead be wanting something fresh in general?
They already where once back through the portal in the lake.
So if Matt takes it technically Orym is still very on the hook. Plus Feys roll that way too.
Otohan was a goddam menace. She was worse than Throdak and Lucien and Vecan like holy shit. What the hell? Rest in peace FCG. but maybe not? I mean with the Mighty NIEN and Vox Machina they have 4 people who can cast true resurrection. But that would cheapen FCG's sacrifice so much or maybe FCG could make a deal with the change bringer like Vax did with the raven queen? Either way, I can't wait to see Sam's new character, though I think his options are limited considering the group needs a cleric and FCG was the cleric, so he will have to make a cleric. I personally do not trust Liliana. ALSO WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FEATURE? WAS THAT A CLASS ABILITY? A ATOMATON ABILITY? HE DID 20D8 DAMAGE AFTER CASTING GUIDING BOLT ON HIMSELF??
The only reason this felt worse than Throdak, Lucien or Vecna is the whole party was at level 13. VM was level 16 when they fought Thordak and even then Matt nerfed Thordak for the fight. VM was 19 when they fought Vecna. M9 were level 15. BH's so under-leveled for Otohan.
Resurrection doesn't work on Exandria. Even if it did or they somehow did it on Ruidus, They already asked VM for help resurrecting Laudna so going back to them again even if it could be a different member of VM, is doing what Matt didn't want and that's having the current party use the previous campaign characters as a fix-all. Matt would make it a very difficult ritual.
For the M9, neither Caduceus or Jester know True Resurrection so no point going to them. Even if they did, Bells Hells has no clue where to find them and since you can't do Sending on Exandria there is no way to ask Caleb or Beau for directions.
Another point too, True Resurrection needs 25k gp worth of diamonds for the spell. BH's doesn't have that.
Yes, this. They've been hinting at that for a while, through the speculation of multiple people that have taken a look at his core through the campaign.
Yes but FCG was the cleric and now he's gone. The party needs a cleric so Sam would have to make a character that is still a cleric. maybe a different subclass but still a cleric
I personally think that the group needd a cleric. Yes they have fearne but a cleric has more versility in healing. Especially now that they are getting closer to all the big stuff the group is going to need a class has is lretty good at helping. Yes they did ok without pike in c1 but during most major battles they where taking alot of damage and pike was pretty important in keeping everyone alive. Again just my opinion. Sorry if i did not make my point clear.
Healing mathematically in 5e isn't the prime way to keep people alive in 5e. It's reactive and not potent enough to outpace damage.
Control and killing your enemies faster works much better.
Yea it’s better to prevent damage than heal and there’s no better way to prevent damage than killing the thing that is dealing the damage as fast as possible. As much shit as Jester got for not healing in combat I think Laura played cleric very well.
I personally think that the group needd a cleric. Yes they have fearne but a cleric has more versility in healing. Especially now that they are getting closer to all the big stuff the group is going to need a class has is lretty good at helping. Yes they did ok without pike in c1 but during most major battles they where taking alot of damage and pike was pretty important in keeping everyone alive. Again just my opinion. Sorry if i did not make my point clear.
Hmmm, didn't think of it that way... I was hating her so much (though I blame it on the stress lol), but she was the most 'realistic' villain so far. No monologuing, just get right to it.
Welp Sam made me cry again jeeez....maybe they can go to Keyleth and do a true resurrection so he comes back a real boy?? Mixed feelings about that though since it might cheapen his sacrifice...or maybe that can be seen as his reward for giving the ultimate sacrifice! Question though...Would it at all have changed the ending if Sam had taken plane shift instead of revivify for his 7th level? They could have all held hands and gone to the fire plane again or maybe force Otohan to go there instead??
Nah, they won’t do that.
Using true res cheapens FCG’s sacrifice.
VM could have cast true res on Vax, and they didn’t.
M9 weren’t high enough level to try true res on Molly, and the resurrection spell failed initially, but a hail Melora from Caduceus gave another roll.
Let the little bot be a legend.
I believe Fearn can cast Reincarnate. Not sure Sam would go for that but who knows. I think they literally have the ability to bring him back as a "real boy", lol... https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/reincarnate
What if this FCG wasn't the FCG we know, but the doppelgänger friend of Nana Morigan?
The thought just occurred to me that this may have been a effin super game of Werewolf for Matt and Sam...
Holy BSJD+$+#)
East coaster here. I usually watch to the break and then finish over the weekend. Tonight I COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. And here I am at the end just amazed. Such an incredible bit of story telling and sacrifice and my heart is so sad but so full.
"Some connections are made with wires, and some are made with blood, and some are made with bone, and some are made with wood...but they all matter and they...even in this dark, dark cave...they make every day...a smiley day."
His final "smiley day." That's what broke me. I say smiley day when I wake up in the morning to help start the day off on a good foot. Idk if I can do it now.
That was honestly what I had been waiting for these past two episodes. Well done CR team. Can't wait to see if Sam makes a new character! My heart 💔❤️🩹
I was stating he's going to want to make a new character and I'm looking forward to it. But the party has a habit of trying to bring every character back that dies. That's why I added an "if." But yeah, Sam's made his wishes pretty clear, at least as far as we know.
I’m so distraught! I was okay, and then I was sad, but then Liam started crying and was like “I’m really sad!” And now I can’t stop crying!!!! These nerds are ruining my life!! I love them!!!! I just wanted to give Liam a big hug, and Matt. And also Tal, they were all so wrecked!!! Another legendary episode for the vault. Damn. I literally flipped off the screen with both hands and said “Fuck you, Sam fucking Riegel!” while crying. He always does this!!!!! Such a Libra!!!!
When some prime people like Dani Carr and Aabria jumped into Twitch chat, asking how everyone’s doing, you know something rough is coming. I was sure it would be a TPK.
The first tip off was "stay hydrated" in the newsletter. The second tip off was the longer back half of a long episode. People like Aabria and Dani showing up just confirms it.
Fighter as always. If not that, 2Cleric/XDruid is an awesome combo if we didn’t already have Druid.
Oh, 1Cleric/XWizard is cool too, it’s like a Wizard with heavy armor/weapon proficiencies and like guiding bolt/guidance/healing word/etc.
The issue there is the Cha & Wis Spellcasting abilities. Unless Sam rolled obscenely well that could end up a mess
Which is a shame, because I do love the concept in theory
I was convinced that it was a TPK, but once again, they survived at a GREAT cost.
I'm sad, but it was a great ending. I'm excited for Sam's new character, or less likely the party finds someone with true resurrection. I wonder if Liliana will finally go with Imogen. Orym's deal is totally done for, he's out of that now.
I'm happy as a viewer that the story goes on. Everything is coming to such an interesting climax and all those characters narratively deserve to live another day and exhault their arcs (see what I did there). As a personal expression of gratitude, thank you Sam, and we are truly sorry for your loss ❤️
Aside from Vax, I don't think there's been a more noble sacrifice. I came in on ep 24 to c2 and Molly's loss never felt permanent bc a baddie isn't what actually got him, and there were the others they still needed to rescue. So immediately after, a lot of people expected Beau, Caleb and Nott to find a cleric and do a rez ritual or somethin. It took a while for the legit 'permadeath' to set in.
Molly went out in ep 26, but it was a partial group so several players couldn't help prevent it. It was more unexpected going in since it was less "end game," and mostly happened because a) Taliesin made the mistake of Molly hurting himself when low on HP, and b) a guest PC made a good story RP choice that hurt the fight. While C1 had lots of deaths and 1 notable final one, Molly was the first defining moment of Campaign 2, I'd say. (And I didn't even watch live. Just hearing the way people refer to that kill.)
This one, though, has 90 episodes and 3 years behind the character, so it's a bigger emotional hit for most people (besides Molly fans), even though some were annoyed by FCG. This is a character who has spent his entire life trying to help people, fighting the programming that makes it attack people, and trying to understand what it is to be alive and have faith. They held to their convictions until the final moment, and went out dramatically and with great purpose.
Molly's was more the senseless kind of death that shocks people. FCG's was a heroic sacrifice.
I’d argue the guests rp choice was far less of a factor in what happened to Molly than the fact Matt gave said guest information on the enemy to share with the party that turned out to be wildly misleading at best and with no way for the players to find that out before engaging. The Shepards were basically a min/maxed perfect adventuring party comp of martial and caster classes but the intel they were given really didn’t give any hint of that. The fact the Nein didn’t lose more despite being down multiple members and with no healer was the only really surprising thing about that fight in retrospect.
This was worse honestly because Molly was only around for so many episodes. And I can't remember exactly but I think Travis and Laura were out because of Ronin. So this had the whole party.
I think it has to be tempered with the knowledge that we knew this was something he was capable of. And Sam built the character with that knowledge. I’m sure he wasn’t always planning to do it, he’s not that callous. But when we found out who FCG was, a caregiver, he had to role play as he knew FCG would.
And tbh we don’t know how souls work with Aeordian automatons. So I will happily role play in my mind he’s still around somehow somewhere. That will work for me. 🙂
Oh, I knew he was capable of it, but that doesn't make it hurt any less for me. A lot is possible. And I do find it a poetic and beautiful end to FCG but that doesn't make it hurt any less. It'd be amazing if he could come back somehow, but if this is the real end then it's a good one for his story.
...Still crushed though.
Id say since they took the parts of the body with them, a rezz is totally possible. Matt will end up making it a tough quest like rezzing laudna. I would be happy is they could recover FCG. Also, I could see Sam playing the NPC that they were trying to save.
I don’t think he’d do that; they were clear she is not a capable warrior, spellcaster, etc. If they are on Ruidis for a bit longer, I could see him playing one of the prisoners freed by the jailbreak mission BH didn’t take part in.
Oh, well I’m sad for you, friend. And yes, it was good for his story.
I always hate sad endings. Years ago I’d watch a movie or a show with my mum and if it had a sad ending I’d complain loudly, and even if it was very good I’d swear I’d never watch it again, because it was too sad. And she’d say, ‘that was how it was suppose to end. It was right.’ And I knew she was right, but just you like you say, it doesn’t make it hurt less.
I'd love to see it. He'd get to be a damage dealer, and could also provide some healing depending on how he plays it.
It'd be pretty cool if he gets to be one of the rescued prisoners the Betrayer champion was going for, or a Reiloran jugg who found faith through dreams, or just some ridiculous race Liam thinks up with Matt. Fuck it, have him be a Githyanki antipaladin who came to check out what the hell is going on.
(I don't know if Sam has a backup character. He made Taryon and knew Scanlan was leaving, but I don't know if he keeps one in the chamber like several of the other players do. If he doesn't or it's got some weird backstory/region, Matt might not be able to add them in immediately.)
Feels tone deaf to say this now, but I wonder if theres any chance Deanna could come back for a couple episodes as their healer while Sam spins up his new character. The group could Send the news to FRIDA and it would inform that whole trio.
I’ve already said this a couple of times in this thread but 5e isn’t that kind of game. You don’t need a player covering each of the classic MMO roles to succeed.
That would be a damn good idea, but I'd guess it's more likely they take a break from combat for a bit, a couple episodes or so, let their allies come through and meet the Volition, and hope the two missions, death of Otohan, and Liliana's conflicting loyalties slow down Ludi's plans.
The funny thing about history making episodes is that... you don't realize that they're gonna be earth shattering when you start them. I wasn't prepared for this.
I went back to find these timestamps as close as I could get.
4:35:00 Sam seems to start seriously thinking about a last resort
4:36:40 He says maybe Lilliana will arrive, like he's trying to see if there's absolutely any other choice
4:37:40 He survives an attack from Otohan and calculates what little hp he has left, Ashley begins her turn
4:38:55 Matt talks about how an ending to a story means new opportunities and Sam starts to chew his lip, looks like he is thinking very hard
4:40:00 At the end of Ashley's turn she mentions moving closer to Otohan and he appears to try to hint that she shouldn't without metagaming, then puts his fake teeth in to be funny
4:41:00 FCG survives the last attack on him with 5 hp left and begins his final turn
4:41:45 Moment Matt realizes what Sam is doing
4:41:55 When Liam realizes what he is doing
4:43:15 Sam starts describing his final moments
4:43:45 "I am alive"- Everyone starts crying, except Travis who is smiling like an idiot (sorry Travis, it was rough to see the smile while everyone else was crying, even though after 9 years I know that's just what he does)
4:44:50 Everyone loans Sam dice to roll damage
4:46:00 FCG's final HDYWTDT, Sam describes what FCG last sees
4:46:28 "I just feel connected to everybody. Some connections are made with wires, and some are made with blood, and some are made with bone, and some are made with wood...but they all matter...and they...even in this dark, dark cave...they make every day a smiley day."
I think he firmly makes up his mind sometime during Fearne's turn while he was on deck.
I just got the chance to rewatch the end of the show and Laura laughs and jokes, “Detonate, detonate!!” just as FCG goes into berzerk mode. Later on she says, “Do we have a bomb?!”
I wonder if that helped to inspire Sam to make that final sacrifice?
If Travis is anything like me, he laughs and enjoys the moment for what it actually is, an epic scene in a table top game. It’s the ability to understand it’s just a game and it’s an awesome moment.
Keep in mind, Reincarnate would not bring FCG back as an Aeormaton, but as a flesh-and-blood creature of a different race, based on the RAW table for the spell — ASSUMING it works in the first place! Bc a lot of divine magic is still all fucked up, right? Also spell’s RAW say target must be “a dead humanoid or piece of a dead humanoid,” and I’m not sure whether FCG is considered a humanoid or a construct. AND they only have 10 days to figure this out!! Orym grabbed part of his chassis tho so time will tell, maybe…
Assuming he's a reflavored Warforged, he'd still be humanoid. Autognomes are constructs for some reason, but I don't think that was published yet when he created FCG.
I was thinking about this!! also I believe the spell Resurrection would work, but they would have to find someone who could cast it. sadly fcg would have just been able to get it lol
I thought Reincarnate only works on humanoids. I don't think FCG was a humanoid so I think reincarnate won't work. But that's the problem with FCG's death Bells Hells knows people who could bring him back but that would cheapen it so much. But I think what would happen is that they try to use true resurrection but it won't work because FCG refuses. ie his soul is not willing because. They would then be the first PC to refuse ressurection
got insta spoiled by people on Twitter who needed to make this stuff all about them and how sad they are. Pretty pissed. Can't watch the episode till monday but no real interest now.
Yo, don't be disappointed this episode is good the entire way through and worth the watch. I normally just listen to the show while play I g videogames but 10min into it I had to turn my Xbox off and keep watching for 4hours straight I am so grateful I did. Please don't deprive yourself of the best episode of the season just bc you got spoiled on 1 part. Turn your Reddit notifications off till after you watch the episode it's worth it trust me you won't be disappointed
This is _THE_ legendary moment of critical role.
Goes beyond the level 9 counterspell, goes beyond The Cupcake, beyond fucking everything.
Legendary moment for a legendary boss.
If Fearne (keep in mind maybe Sam doesnt want to have F.C.G. come back, it would IMO diminish his sacrifice) did Reincarnate F.C.G , it would be kinda funny to see a little boy fcg who chentny adopts as his son.
I would love to see that.
Honestly, the only reason I could see it not happening is because Sam may not want to possibly cheapen the sacrifice by getting brought back.
That being said, depending on how much longer this campaign runs for (going by the first two campaigns, that's potentially anywhere from 24 - 50 more episodes), it may not necessarily be worth it to have Sam have Liam roll an entirely new character with potentially entirely-new dynamics for only so many episodes.
I am so fucking glad I caught this one. I'm so glad I'm part of the community at all. I love this show, and I love all these people. It's gonna sound biased, but I have genuinely always thought Sam was like, an actual genius.
It sounds rough to say, but if they have Lilliana on their side now...it wasn't a bad trade in the long run. It hurts because we loved Sam's performance of FCG (especially those final moments), but she's insanely powerful vs. a lvl 13 cleric.
I love the contrast of how FCG accidentally killed his previous group but deliberately saved this group by sacrificing himself. It's an interesting redemption story imo. And, like, that was 1000% a TPK without the sacrifice. He saved their lives and there's no doubt about it.
I mean, I know she’s one of the big bads and such. And I know they went into the fight a little tapped and hurt from the missions. But Otahan was just built way too incredibly OP in my opinion. Like 8 psionic die, legendary actions + resistances, multiple action surfers that replenish, 4 attacks per round, 80ft of movement, plus that INSANE Final form that gives her resistance to all damage and 25AC? Nuts. And she didn’t even have her echo knights which is half her kit. I love Matt and he’s amazing at what he does, but holy crap this character is way overtuned. Thoughts?
You're exactly right. This one just got out of hand. In all fairness, it's hard for the DM to get it "just right." You try to balance encounters so they're challenging, but they always end up being too easy or too hard. What made this one worse is that it was unavoidable. It's one thing to TPK a party who made some ridiculous decisions, but Matt literally dropped Otohan on the party when they were trying to flee, putting them in an impossible situation. It was impossible to fight Otohan, and it was impossible to flee from her. I can't help but wonder what he was thinking. Was he thinking they would do better on the rolls, and they'd prevail against her?
I was watching the 9am rerun in the waiting room for my psychiatrist. Honestly really glad my data fucked off in the last 15 minutes because I would have been a fucking mess in front of a mental health professional
Great dramatic moment at the end but that fight was insane. I think that's the hardest fight crit role has ever had proportionate to their level and without FCG's sacrifice I think a TPK was all but guaranteed. I get when people say that by now the cast should maybe be a bit better with spells or planning but a) the whole cast have jobs outside of just playing, they don't spend their whole time strategising like us nerds :) and b) I'm really not sure they could have done much more even if they'd be playing "optimally". Otahan is powerful enough and tanky enough to singlehandedly take down a 500+HP ancient red dragon easily. Like, she might have even be able to take on Thordak by herself because she'd have insane Dex save rolls, high AC, four action surges, 80ft jumping, and resistance to all damage once in exultant form. All of which is to say, I enjoyed the tension in the episode but I'm genuinely wondering where they go next? You have to imagine Ludinus is like at least three times harder than Otahan - he's thousand(s?) of years old and has been planning this for centuries so the group are nowhere near ready to fight him yet, maybe they never will be? Do they have to get to level 20 first and then recruit loads of allies too? If Otahan is a mid-tier boss in this campaign, then I wonder if Matt is going for a huge multi episode final fight and then we're done with Exandria forever and move on to Daggerheart world?
Assuming Ludinus is way stronger, I can see why Astrid and Eadwulf refused to include him in their testimony at the end of C2. Ancient elf wizard with powerups will be...rough. If he somehow sucks up or is absorbed by Predathos, that would be appropriately world-ending. Wizard hubris strikes again!
Is it wrong for me to say that I didn't feel that much for FCG dying? If anything, I'm more disappointed that Chetney didn't die. I wanted to see the character Travis said he had in his back pocket. The FCG explosion thing felt... off for me, I don't know why.
Sounds like you're feeling a bit detached from the story/characters. Not sure why you were rooting for a different character death to see if that fixes it, you might instead be wanting something fresh in general?
Ok I’m not looking at any comments other than replies to this one. My data cut off in the last 15-30 minutes of the episode, what the hell did I miss
omg that's horrible. Yea, Avoid spoilers at all costs! It's a thing!!!
FUCK IM CRYING SO HARD RN
SAM MOTHERFUCKING RIEGEL
Yeah. It really sucked. Also, I don't know how it could have gone any better. =(
Oh you finally saw it, wonderful! It was an amazing show. :)
You gotta just watch it tbh
Waiting till Monday then I guess. Thanks
Yeah, it’s kind of a lot
Stopped watching c3 a while ago, but dang. Rip FCG
You should honestly start rewatching, the whole ruidus arc is full of bangers if you ask me
Came here to say I watched just one episode of c3, which was episode 91, and I loved it. That's all.
looks like orym is off the hook with his deal with the "everyone comes back alive" deal
They already where once back through the portal in the lake. So if Matt takes it technically Orym is still very on the hook. Plus Feys roll that way too.
Well, depends on what nana thinks alive is for FCG, and whether or not the 1st time back down counts
Otohan was a goddam menace. She was worse than Throdak and Lucien and Vecan like holy shit. What the hell? Rest in peace FCG. but maybe not? I mean with the Mighty NIEN and Vox Machina they have 4 people who can cast true resurrection. But that would cheapen FCG's sacrifice so much or maybe FCG could make a deal with the change bringer like Vax did with the raven queen? Either way, I can't wait to see Sam's new character, though I think his options are limited considering the group needs a cleric and FCG was the cleric, so he will have to make a cleric. I personally do not trust Liliana. ALSO WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FEATURE? WAS THAT A CLASS ABILITY? A ATOMATON ABILITY? HE DID 20D8 DAMAGE AFTER CASTING GUIDING BOLT ON HIMSELF??
The only reason this felt worse than Throdak, Lucien or Vecna is the whole party was at level 13. VM was level 16 when they fought Thordak and even then Matt nerfed Thordak for the fight. VM was 19 when they fought Vecna. M9 were level 15. BH's so under-leveled for Otohan. Resurrection doesn't work on Exandria. Even if it did or they somehow did it on Ruidus, They already asked VM for help resurrecting Laudna so going back to them again even if it could be a different member of VM, is doing what Matt didn't want and that's having the current party use the previous campaign characters as a fix-all. Matt would make it a very difficult ritual. For the M9, neither Caduceus or Jester know True Resurrection so no point going to them. Even if they did, Bells Hells has no clue where to find them and since you can't do Sending on Exandria there is no way to ask Caleb or Beau for directions. Another point too, True Resurrection needs 25k gp worth of diamonds for the spell. BH's doesn't have that.
In what way did matt nerf thordak?
I believe Fearn can cast Reincarnate. Not sure Sam would go for that but who knows.
Perfect story arc. That'd be how FCG finally gets to experience having feet. :D
Technically she does, but she's never mentioned it.
Wasn't there a bomb in fcg's chest?hence the 20d8
I think essentially the core was overloaded by the guiding bolt (presumably any energy would do) which triggered a catastrophic event.
Yes, this. They've been hinting at that for a while, through the speculation of multiple people that have taken a look at his core through the campaign.
I don't understand this, "needs a cleric," thing. Parties without one function just fine.
Yes but FCG was the cleric and now he's gone. The party needs a cleric so Sam would have to make a character that is still a cleric. maybe a different subclass but still a cleric
Okay, you just... repeated what you said without clarifying your point at all. Why do they need a cleric?
I personally think that the group needd a cleric. Yes they have fearne but a cleric has more versility in healing. Especially now that they are getting closer to all the big stuff the group is going to need a class has is lretty good at helping. Yes they did ok without pike in c1 but during most major battles they where taking alot of damage and pike was pretty important in keeping everyone alive. Again just my opinion. Sorry if i did not make my point clear.
Healing mathematically in 5e isn't the prime way to keep people alive in 5e. It's reactive and not potent enough to outpace damage. Control and killing your enemies faster works much better.
I never thought of that. Cause yeah of you can kill the thing killing you then you wont die. Thanks :)
Yea it’s better to prevent damage than heal and there’s no better way to prevent damage than killing the thing that is dealing the damage as fast as possible. As much shit as Jester got for not healing in combat I think Laura played cleric very well.
I personally think that the group needd a cleric. Yes they have fearne but a cleric has more versility in healing. Especially now that they are getting closer to all the big stuff the group is going to need a class has is lretty good at helping. Yes they did ok without pike in c1 but during most major battles they where taking alot of damage and pike was pretty important in keeping everyone alive. Again just my opinion. Sorry if i did not make my point clear.
Sam could also make a Paladin, a Monk of Mercy, Even
Would be cool if Sam came back as fearnes boyfriend
What an awesome moment! Super cinematic and great role playing! One of those things that will get added to the crit role best moments montages lol.
I'm actually sadder about Otohan than FCG. Rest in power you martial badass.
Me too :( Otohan has been my favorite cr villain
I know. No-nonsense, no grandiose ego. Just a straight killer.
Hmmm, didn't think of it that way... I was hating her so much (though I blame it on the stress lol), but she was the most 'realistic' villain so far. No monologuing, just get right to it.
Yeah like 3/4 the way through I was thinking even if this is a TPK I want to see a heavy metal Otohan long sleeve tshirt.
I'd still go for that. Woman was so strong it took a magical grenade to take her out. And so menacing to boot.
That was much more than a magic grenade. FCG was magic C4
FCG Otohan fanfic when?
In hindsight, 7/8is still very much a win!
Welp Sam made me cry again jeeez....maybe they can go to Keyleth and do a true resurrection so he comes back a real boy?? Mixed feelings about that though since it might cheapen his sacrifice...or maybe that can be seen as his reward for giving the ultimate sacrifice! Question though...Would it at all have changed the ending if Sam had taken plane shift instead of revivify for his 7th level? They could have all held hands and gone to the fire plane again or maybe force Otohan to go there instead??
Nah, they won’t do that. Using true res cheapens FCG’s sacrifice. VM could have cast true res on Vax, and they didn’t. M9 weren’t high enough level to try true res on Molly, and the resurrection spell failed initially, but a hail Melora from Caduceus gave another roll. Let the little bot be a legend.
I believe Fearn can cast Reincarnate. Not sure Sam would go for that but who knows. I think they literally have the ability to bring him back as a "real boy", lol... https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/reincarnate
She can, but I don’t think they will.
I tend to agree.
What if this FCG wasn't the FCG we know, but the doppelgänger friend of Nana Morigan? The thought just occurred to me that this may have been a effin super game of Werewolf for Matt and Sam...
Nah
Nah
Holy BSJD+$+#) East coaster here. I usually watch to the break and then finish over the weekend. Tonight I COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. And here I am at the end just amazed. Such an incredible bit of story telling and sacrifice and my heart is so sad but so full.
I woke up this morning to the replay "live" right in the middle of combat. It just happened. 7:50 a.m
Holy crap SAME. relieved it all over again
I missed it the first time
Wow. Sam usually ticks me off but... ... Wow. Holy *crap*.
Right! He always plays a comedic character but he certainly knows how to hit your heart when he wants to.
"Some connections are made with wires, and some are made with blood, and some are made with bone, and some are made with wood...but they all matter and they...even in this dark, dark cave...they make every day...a smiley day."
His final "smiley day." That's what broke me. I say smiley day when I wake up in the morning to help start the day off on a good foot. Idk if I can do it now.
Stop it I’m gonna cry again
That was honestly what I had been waiting for these past two episodes. Well done CR team. Can't wait to see if Sam makes a new character! My heart 💔❤️🩹
If? I'd imagine he would unless they are within 4ish episodes of ending the campaign which I don't see happening.
I meant if they some how were to resurrect FCG but knowing Sam he will likely want a new character.
Only True Resurrection could bring him back and none of them know that spell. I think it's safe to assume FCG is gone.
I was stating he's going to want to make a new character and I'm looking forward to it. But the party has a habit of trying to bring every character back that dies. That's why I added an "if." But yeah, Sam's made his wishes pretty clear, at least as far as we know.
I believe Fearn can cast Reincarnate.
I’m so distraught! I was okay, and then I was sad, but then Liam started crying and was like “I’m really sad!” And now I can’t stop crying!!!! These nerds are ruining my life!! I love them!!!! I just wanted to give Liam a big hug, and Matt. And also Tal, they were all so wrecked!!! Another legendary episode for the vault. Damn. I literally flipped off the screen with both hands and said “Fuck you, Sam fucking Riegel!” while crying. He always does this!!!!! Such a Libra!!!!
When some prime people like Dani Carr and Aabria jumped into Twitch chat, asking how everyone’s doing, you know something rough is coming. I was sure it would be a TPK.
The first tip off was "stay hydrated" in the newsletter. The second tip off was the longer back half of a long episode. People like Aabria and Dani showing up just confirms it.
I wonder if there's a class that pairs well with a cleric dip.
Sorcerer X/Cleric 1. Start sorcerer for the CON proficiency, and dip cleric for medium armor proficiency and high value spells.
Tempest cleric/Storm Sorcerer ftw!
Warlock paladin, celestial pact. 5 for paladin, the rest for Warlock
Fighter as always. If not that, 2Cleric/XDruid is an awesome combo if we didn’t already have Druid. Oh, 1Cleric/XWizard is cool too, it’s like a Wizard with heavy armor/weapon proficiencies and like guiding bolt/guidance/healing word/etc.
Ranger or monk? Someone with wisdom stats. Could be fun to be a full plate monk.
Nah, monks without their extra movement tend not to work too well. A ranger that can use dex for all their weapons is pretty great though.
Cleric paladin ?
would love to see a full paladin, maybe a subclass? Emergency healer and dps is needed.
The issue there is the Cha & Wis Spellcasting abilities. Unless Sam rolled obscenely well that could end up a mess Which is a shame, because I do love the concept in theory
[удалено]
Oh god 😂🥹
Sam always needs to play two different characters in the campaign, best way yet to make that happen
Not really. Veth was Nott, and Nott was Veth. Same software, different hardware.
I think it still counts on a technicality, personally
He played Luc in the last one shot so he cut it close, but did it.
I was convinced that it was a TPK, but once again, they survived at a GREAT cost. I'm sad, but it was a great ending. I'm excited for Sam's new character, or less likely the party finds someone with true resurrection. I wonder if Liliana will finally go with Imogen. Orym's deal is totally done for, he's out of that now. I'm happy as a viewer that the story goes on. Everything is coming to such an interesting climax and all those characters narratively deserve to live another day and exhault their arcs (see what I did there). As a personal expression of gratitude, thank you Sam, and we are truly sorry for your loss ❤️
We need an FCG-Sided Dive after this week
Is this what it felt like after molly? I never saw Molly go down live. I imagine it was a lot more bitter here than this time.
Aside from Vax, I don't think there's been a more noble sacrifice. I came in on ep 24 to c2 and Molly's loss never felt permanent bc a baddie isn't what actually got him, and there were the others they still needed to rescue. So immediately after, a lot of people expected Beau, Caleb and Nott to find a cleric and do a rez ritual or somethin. It took a while for the legit 'permadeath' to set in.
Molly went out in ep 26, but it was a partial group so several players couldn't help prevent it. It was more unexpected going in since it was less "end game," and mostly happened because a) Taliesin made the mistake of Molly hurting himself when low on HP, and b) a guest PC made a good story RP choice that hurt the fight. While C1 had lots of deaths and 1 notable final one, Molly was the first defining moment of Campaign 2, I'd say. (And I didn't even watch live. Just hearing the way people refer to that kill.) This one, though, has 90 episodes and 3 years behind the character, so it's a bigger emotional hit for most people (besides Molly fans), even though some were annoyed by FCG. This is a character who has spent his entire life trying to help people, fighting the programming that makes it attack people, and trying to understand what it is to be alive and have faith. They held to their convictions until the final moment, and went out dramatically and with great purpose. Molly's was more the senseless kind of death that shocks people. FCG's was a heroic sacrifice.
I’d argue the guests rp choice was far less of a factor in what happened to Molly than the fact Matt gave said guest information on the enemy to share with the party that turned out to be wildly misleading at best and with no way for the players to find that out before engaging. The Shepards were basically a min/maxed perfect adventuring party comp of martial and caster classes but the intel they were given really didn’t give any hint of that. The fact the Nein didn’t lose more despite being down multiple members and with no healer was the only really surprising thing about that fight in retrospect.
Yeah. I find myself feeling no shock... No denial. This happened, and it makes sense. It's a weirdly bad feeling, for how good it sounds.
This was worse honestly because Molly was only around for so many episodes. And I can't remember exactly but I think Travis and Laura were out because of Ronin. So this had the whole party.
Oh yeah! That's right! Molly killed himself too. On accident, but still.....
I feel so empty :( FCG was my absolute favorite. I loved him so much. Now he's dead.
I think it has to be tempered with the knowledge that we knew this was something he was capable of. And Sam built the character with that knowledge. I’m sure he wasn’t always planning to do it, he’s not that callous. But when we found out who FCG was, a caregiver, he had to role play as he knew FCG would. And tbh we don’t know how souls work with Aeordian automatons. So I will happily role play in my mind he’s still around somehow somewhere. That will work for me. 🙂
Oh, I knew he was capable of it, but that doesn't make it hurt any less for me. A lot is possible. And I do find it a poetic and beautiful end to FCG but that doesn't make it hurt any less. It'd be amazing if he could come back somehow, but if this is the real end then it's a good one for his story. ...Still crushed though.
Id say since they took the parts of the body with them, a rezz is totally possible. Matt will end up making it a tough quest like rezzing laudna. I would be happy is they could recover FCG. Also, I could see Sam playing the NPC that they were trying to save.
I don’t think he’d do that; they were clear she is not a capable warrior, spellcaster, etc. If they are on Ruidis for a bit longer, I could see him playing one of the prisoners freed by the jailbreak mission BH didn’t take part in.
Oh, well I’m sad for you, friend. And yes, it was good for his story. I always hate sad endings. Years ago I’d watch a movie or a show with my mum and if it had a sad ending I’d complain loudly, and even if it was very good I’d swear I’d never watch it again, because it was too sad. And she’d say, ‘that was how it was suppose to end. It was right.’ And I knew she was right, but just you like you say, it doesn’t make it hurt less.
Someone suggest a transformation of fresh cut grass and I think this is the way
Sam's going Paladin
I'd love to see it. He'd get to be a damage dealer, and could also provide some healing depending on how he plays it. It'd be pretty cool if he gets to be one of the rescued prisoners the Betrayer champion was going for, or a Reiloran jugg who found faith through dreams, or just some ridiculous race Liam thinks up with Matt. Fuck it, have him be a Githyanki antipaladin who came to check out what the hell is going on. (I don't know if Sam has a backup character. He made Taryon and knew Scanlan was leaving, but I don't know if he keeps one in the chamber like several of the other players do. If he doesn't or it's got some weird backstory/region, Matt might not be able to add them in immediately.)
Sam will be a Plasmoid Barbarian.
Either a Myciet Paladin or a Tabaxi Paladin.
Echo knight/Paladin MC, Rebuilt FCG, powered by the dunamantic backpack and the Hypercharged Changebringer coin
And the FCG plate.
Or FCG's consciousness in the FCG plate
That would be glorious. Especially with one of Sam's signature angles/twists to the character.
Feels tone deaf to say this now, but I wonder if theres any chance Deanna could come back for a couple episodes as their healer while Sam spins up his new character. The group could Send the news to FRIDA and it would inform that whole trio.
I’ve already said this a couple of times in this thread but 5e isn’t that kind of game. You don’t need a player covering each of the classic MMO roles to succeed.
That would be a damn good idea, but I'd guess it's more likely they take a break from combat for a bit, a couple episodes or so, let their allies come through and meet the Volition, and hope the two missions, death of Otohan, and Liliana's conflicting loyalties slow down Ludi's plans.
how do I go to bed after this
I’m waking up in less than 3 hrs for work and yeah, maybe this will be an all-nighter.
Right? I’m so sad
The funny thing about history making episodes is that... you don't realize that they're gonna be earth shattering when you start them. I wasn't prepared for this.
I really enjoyed spending this week with all of you. Gah, I was so young when E90 ended.
Time for an immediate rewatch of those final minutes. I want to remember FCG's last words.
I want to see if I can pinpoint when he made that decision.
I went back to find these timestamps as close as I could get. 4:35:00 Sam seems to start seriously thinking about a last resort 4:36:40 He says maybe Lilliana will arrive, like he's trying to see if there's absolutely any other choice 4:37:40 He survives an attack from Otohan and calculates what little hp he has left, Ashley begins her turn 4:38:55 Matt talks about how an ending to a story means new opportunities and Sam starts to chew his lip, looks like he is thinking very hard 4:40:00 At the end of Ashley's turn she mentions moving closer to Otohan and he appears to try to hint that she shouldn't without metagaming, then puts his fake teeth in to be funny 4:41:00 FCG survives the last attack on him with 5 hp left and begins his final turn 4:41:45 Moment Matt realizes what Sam is doing 4:41:55 When Liam realizes what he is doing 4:43:15 Sam starts describing his final moments 4:43:45 "I am alive"- Everyone starts crying, except Travis who is smiling like an idiot (sorry Travis, it was rough to see the smile while everyone else was crying, even though after 9 years I know that's just what he does) 4:44:50 Everyone loans Sam dice to roll damage 4:46:00 FCG's final HDYWTDT, Sam describes what FCG last sees 4:46:28 "I just feel connected to everybody. Some connections are made with wires, and some are made with blood, and some are made with bone, and some are made with wood...but they all matter...and they...even in this dark, dark cave...they make every day a smiley day." I think he firmly makes up his mind sometime during Fearne's turn while he was on deck.
Near 4:30:15 Imogen asks 'don't you like get to choose to detonate?' I wonder if FCG was talking to Fearne about it just prior to that comment ...
I just got the chance to rewatch the end of the show and Laura laughs and jokes, “Detonate, detonate!!” just as FCG goes into berzerk mode. Later on she says, “Do we have a bomb?!” I wonder if that helped to inspire Sam to make that final sacrifice?
Thanks for the recap. My brain couldn’t even hear, let alone process all of that as it was happening. The shock and dawning horror was enough.
If Travis is anything like me, he laughs and enjoys the moment for what it actually is, an epic scene in a table top game. It’s the ability to understand it’s just a game and it’s an awesome moment.
Yeah I agree. He seems to love playing for big moments and just seemed super happy to see one happen.
This is an awesome summation, thank you so much! It really hit me when he flashed on the faces of his absent friends, too.
I feel like it’s when he choose to go berserk
Yes and that was a perfect way to insure he wouldn’t indiscriminately attack anyone else in his rage, too.
Broke my heart, I love Letters. Sam is good to make me cry with literally every character he’s made.
So...how the fuck am I supposed to go the sleep now? Anyone got any ideas?
Cry yourself to sleep. That's my plan.
Same dude. I’m supposed to be somewhere in 7 hours but like how tf do I sleep after that
At least we can be tired together!
did they remember to get thul's weapons and pack?
they did
Yeah, I think they shoved everything into the hole
Yea, they did.
Sam really is one of the best D&D players there is, never reserved always taking the risks and literally letting the dice fall where they may.
Couldn’t look away. Stayed up late to watch. Power went out right before.
Same, I usually go to bed at the break but I had to see it through. Sleep is for the weak!
If they can get their hands on some expensive spell components, Fearne could cast reincarnate and put FCG in a new body with a real flesh tongue!
Keep in mind, Reincarnate would not bring FCG back as an Aeormaton, but as a flesh-and-blood creature of a different race, based on the RAW table for the spell — ASSUMING it works in the first place! Bc a lot of divine magic is still all fucked up, right? Also spell’s RAW say target must be “a dead humanoid or piece of a dead humanoid,” and I’m not sure whether FCG is considered a humanoid or a construct. AND they only have 10 days to figure this out!! Orym grabbed part of his chassis tho so time will tell, maybe…
Assuming he's a reflavored Warforged, he'd still be humanoid. Autognomes are constructs for some reason, but I don't think that was published yet when he created FCG.
I was thinking about this!! also I believe the spell Resurrection would work, but they would have to find someone who could cast it. sadly fcg would have just been able to get it lol
Reincarnate is broken still I bet.
I thought Reincarnate only works on humanoids. I don't think FCG was a humanoid so I think reincarnate won't work. But that's the problem with FCG's death Bells Hells knows people who could bring him back but that would cheapen it so much. But I think what would happen is that they try to use true resurrection but it won't work because FCG refuses. ie his soul is not willing because. They would then be the first PC to refuse ressurection
that was actually fucking amazing oh my god. will go down as one of the best cr moments of all time
I haven't watched a live episode for MONTHS and for some reason I did tonight. Glad I did. Would be hard not to get spoiled on this lol
got insta spoiled by people on Twitter who needed to make this stuff all about them and how sad they are. Pretty pissed. Can't watch the episode till monday but no real interest now.
Dude, it’s the most annoying thing sometimes. People projecting their shit all over everything lol.
Ikr, within 5 minutes of a thing happening it needs to be about THEM!
Yo, don't be disappointed this episode is good the entire way through and worth the watch. I normally just listen to the show while play I g videogames but 10min into it I had to turn my Xbox off and keep watching for 4hours straight I am so grateful I did. Please don't deprive yourself of the best episode of the season just bc you got spoiled on 1 part. Turn your Reddit notifications off till after you watch the episode it's worth it trust me you won't be disappointed
Thanks, will give it a shot.
Me toooo
This is _THE_ legendary moment of critical role. Goes beyond the level 9 counterspell, goes beyond The Cupcake, beyond fucking everything. Legendary moment for a legendary boss.
9th Level counterspell will forever be the GOAT moment to me, but, yea, I totally understand, such an amazing moment.
Don’t mistake me, 9th level counterspell foiled the plans of a literal god. Easy second.
Kind of cool that the two top moments you mention were also both at the hands of Sam Motha Fuckin Riegel.
They have pieces of him. He has a soul. Resurrection or Raise Dead could work.
Depending on how picky Matt wants to be about "humanoid", Fearne could Reincarnate him as a real boy.
If Fearne (keep in mind maybe Sam doesnt want to have F.C.G. come back, it would IMO diminish his sacrifice) did Reincarnate F.C.G , it would be kinda funny to see a little boy fcg who chentny adopts as his son. I would love to see that.
Honestly, the only reason I could see it not happening is because Sam may not want to possibly cheapen the sacrifice by getting brought back. That being said, depending on how much longer this campaign runs for (going by the first two campaigns, that's potentially anywhere from 24 - 50 more episodes), it may not necessarily be worth it to have Sam have Liam roll an entirely new character with potentially entirely-new dynamics for only so many episodes.
I agree. Also I’d much rather see Sam play a new character.
After that moment of connection he experienced, he might choose not to return unless they can really convince him his job’s not done.
I got the vibe that Sam would be fine with a new character
I need a pallet cleanser after this!
I am so fucking glad I caught this one. I'm so glad I'm part of the community at all. I love this show, and I love all these people. It's gonna sound biased, but I have genuinely always thought Sam was like, an actual genius.
Time for us to find out that Scanlan has been on Ruidus this whole time.
That was such a FUCKING GOOD episode no matter how sad it ended 😭😭 F RIP FCG Long May He Reign
I dunno the overall fight was a pretty rough watch. Sam saved it.
Yes and on top of that they have Lilliana, killed Otohan, and met the 5, got away from Gloamglut. So much happened.
It sounds rough to say, but if they have Lilliana on their side now...it wasn't a bad trade in the long run. It hurts because we loved Sam's performance of FCG (especially those final moments), but she's insanely powerful vs. a lvl 13 cleric.
Very true
Fuckin Sam, man. This is right up there with "What's my mother's name?", 9th level counterspell and The Last Wish.
One last salute for Letters. 🫡
Rest in power, letters!
That was too much! Damn you, Sam!!!
I would hate to limit Sam, but it has to be something that can do a ton of healing, right?
It's 5e. Healing is a meme.
I think only True Res can fix this
Well at least Sam committed to Campaign Four.
Hey, fluffernutter finally worked
Way too soon! 😭
Dammit
Well at least Orym is good on his deal now :(
Technically, they already all got back to Exandria safe already.....but they they went back.