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Spoilers for Critical Role Campaign 4 follow.

In the five months that Critical Role's Campaign 4 has been running, we've been introduced to a cast that's as different from The Legends of Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein as its setting, Aramán is to Exandria. And while every character brings something to the table in a way their fellow players can't, I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I've connected with some of those Aramánians (?) more than others.

That's why I've thrown together this little list of heroes and antiheroes, ranked by the personal opinion of one Critter who, I'll admit, is surely not the expert on CR's campaign 4 that you might be. So with that in mind, check out Popverse's Critical Role Campaign 4 characters ranked, ordered by yours truly, and with deference to your (equally valid) opinions thereof.

13. Murray Mag'Nesson

Here's where I have to make the clarification - there's no character on this list that I actively dislike, I'm just ranking these based on the connections I have with them thus far. And in the Marisha Ray-played wizard's case, there hasn't been that much opportunity to connect so far, as the Schemers' time in the spotlight has yet to come to pass (as of this writing). I do love Murray's character design, though, and I saw more than a few cosplayers absolutely nailing it at this year's Emerald City Comic Con.

12. Sir Julien Davinos

In a way, Matt Mercer's fighter feels like the most "normal" character of the bunch to me. He's human, male, and great with a sword - the kind of fantasy protagonist I think I've become accustomed to. Don't get me wrong, though, there's a lot of intrigue to this character - particularly where those wily Tachonises are concerned. I do have to say that I could imagine Julien fitting in perfectly in the Game of Thrones world, and I do appreciate that about him.

11. Azune Nayar 

Similar to Murray, I feel we haven't gotten a ton of time to focus on Luis Carazo's multiclassing paladin/sorcerer. What we have seen of him I've liked, though - Azune has both been a comfort to the friends of Thjazi Fang and a cooler head for those who get into trouble for how they dislike him (well, really just Julien). Once the Schemers' adventures start up, I'm excited to see how that calm demeanor and loyalty will be challenged. 

10. Thimble

Laura Bailey's rogue is a brand new addition to Critical Role - that is, a pixie player character with a giant size difference from the rest of the characters. That alone makes her interesting, but then the fact that she's this character trapped in a world that's not her own with (seemingly) no way to get back is pretty engaging as well. And hey, the whole needle-sword act gives me big Redwall vibes, and I'll always appreciate that.

9. Vaelus

Even though it's not the best mask in this campaign, the shroud that Ashley Johnson's paladin wears (and the mystical scars behind it) is an incredibly cool way to get your viewers interested in the character. But beyond her visual characteristics, this "nun assassin" (Johnson's words) is also representative of the turmoil going on between the living and the dead of Aramán. I like this character for the same reasons I like Treebeard in The Lord of the Rings - there's a theme running through this fantasy world (nature in Tolkien's case), and here's a character that embodies it.

8. Halandil Fang

He's a hot orc dad - what else does a character need to give you? OK, so I'm also a big fan of the fact that Liam O'Brien's bard is both A.) a bard and B.) a big old softie, which I think goes against the grain of what players typically go for in an orc build. Also, the fact that he's just an artist with a dream of building a theater while war and oppression rage outside makes this character feel, uh, prescient.

7. Thaisha Lloy

Aabria Iyengar's druid strikes an interesting balance between being wise but not being aloof - there's something that a whole list of George Lucas-created Jedi could learn about that. Like, we all understand that she has this great connection with nature and all the magical rituals to connect her to it, but also, she flirts with the hot nun assassin the first chance she gets.

She's relatable, which is what I'm saying.

6. Wiccander Halovar

Haha, he's a nerd!

Genuinely though, there's something really fun about watching Sam Riegel's sorcerer go from a seemingly comfortable life into this big, deadly world around him. It's not quite like Luke Skywalker (Luke's too confident even in the beginning for a Wick comparison); maybe more like... Morty Smith? And Tyranny's his Rick? I don't know, I'm still workshopping this one.

5. Teor Pridesire

We'll talk later about my predisposition toward visually fascinating characters, but I think what drew me to Travis Willingham's paladin first was more thematic than anything. Teor's got this whole thing going on with his brother, Cyd, and I can't help but be reminded of the relationship that started off this whole adventure - the brothers Fang. A lion is a great visual representation of things like loyalty, so I was already feeling that bond going into this character.

4. Occtis Tachonis

You don't have to spend too much time around me to know that I'm a big fan of the macabre, so I was already vibing with Alexander Ward's Doctor Frankensteiny wizard heading into episode one. Then what should he do but go and become one of the undead himself?? I mean, what more could you want out of a creature actor-turned actual play star?

3. Kattigan Vale

Wolf sidekick. Truly, I don't know that I need to explain why I hold Robbie Daymond's ranger in such high regard beyond that, but since my editors say this thing needs to be at least 1000 words, I guess I could point out the shades of Aragorn and Batman that color Kattigan's inclusion in Aramán. 

2. Bolaire Lathalia

Ever since the first image of Taliesin Jaffe's masked warlock dropped, I was invested in the mystery of him, but after that duplicate mask formed out of those ceramic tiles at the end of episode 1, I was hooked. Even better than the questions this character brings up, though, was the answers we got about him in episode 4 - he's not a creature at all, but the mask itself! It's like all my Goosebumps dreams came true in D&D form.

1. Tyranny 

Here's the thing - I'm a sucker for characters who visually don't belong. From Martian Manhunter's presence on the JL lineup to Hellboy traipsing around with a whole bunch of government agents, there's something about the "monster" next to more human fictional characters that draws me. This, combined with a delightful and refreshing performance from Whitney Moore, puts warlock Tyranny at the top for me.

With two animated series on Prime Video, Campaign 4 in full swing, and so much more Exandrian lore to come, Critical Role is showing no signs of slowing down. That's why the adventuring party at Popverse are here to bring you everything we can from those nerdy-ass voice actors & Bo., including:

• How to watch Critical Role in order
• Travis Willingham on the differences between The Legend of Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein
• Taliesin Jaffe on playing Mollymauk Tealeaf for Campaign 2 vs. playing him for Prime Video
• Matt Mercer's homebrew warrior class (created originally for Vin Diesel)

...and much, much more. Roll initiative, player. Magic awaits.