The cast of Critical Role performed live for the first time on July 6, 2026, in Europe playing Dungeons & Dragons. As a long-time fan, MeinMMO editor Sophia Weiß celebrated the event, but it was so good that her boyfriend, who knows nothing about D&D, also had a great time.
The original cast of Critical Role has been streaming their D&D sessions live on Twitch since 2015. First through Geek & Sundry, then since 2019 as an independent company and channel. They are currently playing their fourth campaign and have even released their own tabletop role-playing game, Daggerheart.
I have been a fan since around 2018. Accordingly, I joined at the end of the Vox Machina campaign and even followed the Mighty Nein adventures live. When it was announced in mid-2025 that the OG cast would perform in Berlin as part of their Echoes of Exandria
-live tour, I had to be there.
With a bit of persuasion, I was also able to get my boyfriend Michael, who has nothing to do with D&D and Critical Role, to join me. He only knew The Legend of Vox Machina from the whole cosmos, the Amazon series. And still, he had just as much fun on July 6 as I did and the other approximately 11,000 viewers.
Who and what is Critical Role?
Critical Role is a stream of Dungeons & Dragons that has been running since 2015 and is now a company with various subsidiaries. The core of the business are the D&D sessions streamed live on Twitch every Thursday.
The original cast to this day consists of the following eight American voice actors:
- Ashley Johnson
- Laura Bailey
- Liam O’Brian
- Matthew
Matt
Mercer - Marisha Ray
- Sam Riegel
- Taliesin Jaffe
- Travis Willingham
So far, there have been four long-standing campaigns, the most recent being led by Brennan Lee Mulligan. In addition, there are one-shots, outings into other systems besides Dungeons & Dragons, as well as prequels and sequels to already completed adventures. Live shows, such as the Berlin visit, are also part of the repertoire, but have so far only taken place in the USA, the UK, and Australia.
Additionally, there are now two animated series, their own board games, art books, a wide range of merchandise, and even two original pen & paper
rulebooks: Daggerheart and Candela Obscura.
Perfect for fans – Excellent for D&D noobs
As Echoes of Exandria
promises as a tour name, an adventure with characters from the first three campaigns led by Matthew Mercer was played, not from the currently fourth Araman round. So, those familiar with Critical Role and have been around a bit longer will find their enjoyment in the events and later VODs.
In Berlin, the cast introduced their characters from The Mighty Nein to the [Project] Funball
. Wizard Caleb and Dunamancer Essek couldn’t keep their hands to themselves and made a mess that the Mighty Nein can only fix together.
As a long-time fan, I knew I would have a lot of fun, no matter which campaign cast Critical Role would show up with. The Mighty Nein is my favorite group, which made me even happier. Even though we had to miss Taliesin Jaffe as Caduceus Clay (or Kingsley Tealeaf) due to illness.
My boyfriend, however, has only seen The Legend of Vox Machina
from the Critical Role universe and has not watched any live stream from the group so far. To our shame, I must also confess that we still have the series about the Mighty Nein on our watch list on Amazon.
He has only played exactly two sessions of Dungeons & Dragons with me so far. So, it was also a question of whether the mechanics would not be too much or too confusing.
Accordingly, I was a bit worried that he might not have fun or only little fun.
A completely unfounded fear, as it turned out: He was really invested in the approximately four hours, laughed, and celebrated the players’ actions.
He mentioned that he wouldn’t understand all the references because he simply lacks the background knowledge. But the cast plays so engagingly, excitingly, humorously, and above all very well described that my friend, as someone without any prior knowledge, was nonetheless excellently entertained.
From my perspective, this is the best compliment one can give to such an event and this group.
11,000 Critters raid the Uber Arena
The Berlin visit of Critical Role was the first time the group performed outside of English-speaking territories. In the Uber Arena, depending on the event, up to 17,000 people can fit. According to the Hannoversche Allgemeinen Zeitung, about 11,000 viewers attended the event.
By the way, we spent nearly two hours in line for merchandise in the rain, wind, and about 18 degrees starting at noon, with the line curving multiple times around the hall. With us were not only German-speaking Critters, as the CR cast affectionately calls their fans, but also many visitors from surrounding European countries and the British Isles.
After the merch purchase, my partner and I were back at the hall for dinner around half past five. The two lines of people waiting for entry stretched across the whole forecourt, around the buildings, and even blocks away. Although there were assigned seats, entry was supposed to start at 5 PM, and the event was set to start at 6:30 PM.
From the modest group that streams their private D&D campaign on Twitch, a worldwide phenomenon has emerged, and only the real masses of people present made it clear to me how big they have become now.
And I’m back in the game!
I had my peak phase with Critical Role during the Mighty Nein campaign. Unfortunately, the following Bells Hells didn’t resonate with me, and I simply haven’t had time for campaign four yet. Accordingly, I haven’t been 100% emotionally invested for a while now.
After [Project] Funball
I am back completely in the game: I came up with mental concepts for a new, long-term D&D campaign on the same evening. I debated with my boyfriend about what from Critical Role he should best start with if he wants to catch up on everything. It’s not that easy.
When it came to tickets last year, I sighed because the cheapest ones cost from 133 euros. Now I know that every cent was well invested. If Critical Role announces shows in Europe again soon, I already know that I want to go again. I assume that most other Critters feel the same way.
By the way, those who couldn’t be there but still want to see the one-shot probably won’t have to wait long: The Atlanta event was on May 26, and the recording went live exactly four weeks later on June 23. If Critical Role sticks to that rhythm, you can expect [Project] Funball on YouTube in early August. And if you were like me at the event and want to play yourself again right away, my MeinMMO colleague Jan Hartmeyer has a hack for you: The most important rule in DnD that I use in every session, but is found in no book
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