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As enticing as the fandom may be, you have to admit that getting into the Critical Role source material is a somewhat daunting task. Remember, these are stories told across dozens upon dozens of four-hour-plus TTRPG liveplay episodes, so you can imagine that fans that like coming into a franchise prepared may feel like their work is cut out for them. In particular, it's natural for those interested in watching Prime Video's adaptation of the first and second campaigns - The Legend of Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein, respectively - to wonder whether they have to view all of the liveplay episodes beforehand. Well, according to Critical Role cast member Marisha Ray, who has been with the series since the beginning, the answer is 'no.'

Ray's answer comes from a panel the voice actor was on at New York Comic Con 2025, alongside fellow Critical Rolers Sam Riegel, Liam O'Brien, Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, and Travis Willingham. The panel's moderator asked about how fans should prepare for Amazon & Titmouse's upcoming adaptation of campaign 2; specifically, whether or not they'll need to actually watch said campaign to understand it.

"I feel like a question we get a lot," answered Ray, "Is, 'Do you have to be familiar with the campaigns before you jump into this?' And the answer is: absolutely not. Jump in blind! Dive in!" 

There you have it, prospective Critters - you can feel free to sink your teeth into the next animated Exandrian adventure no matter how much Critical Role media you've seen before it. That said, Ray was careful to clarify - if you are coming into The Mighty Nein having only seen The Legend of Vox Machina, you may want to prepare for something a little different.

"If you're expecting hugs and kisses and happy rainbows," said the Candela Obscura star, "Just manage your expectations.”

"That's exactly what you're going to get," piped in costar Laura Bailey, using the voice of Mighty Nein lead Jester Lavorre, "I don't know what you mean."

At this point, Ray and Bailey's costar (and Ray's life partner, by the way) Matthew Mercer jumped in to say that, though Vox Machina fans should have their expectations reset, they won't be entirely unfamiliar with what they find in Mighty Nein.

"The Legend of Vox Machina and Mighty Nein takes place in the same world," Mercer said, "For those who haven't watched the campaigns, but who have watched Vox Machina. We have a few fun little things that were dropped through Vox Machina that are all tethered into this. Some winks and nods; bits of history. So if you haven't watched campaign 2, pay attention."

Huh. Maybe there is a bit of homework to do before watching the series after all.

The Mighty Nein premieres on Prime Video November 19.

From the lands of Exandria to your very own smartscreens, Popverse has everything you need to know about the TTRPG phenomenon that is Critical Role. Here you'll find:

• Popverse's Critical Role watch order
• An interview with GM Brennan Lee Mulligan
• The cast's appearance at C2E2 '25

...and more. Roll initiative, player. Adventure awaits.