Critical Role Campaign 4: Brennan’s World, We’re Just Roleplaying in It

If you’re into tabletop role-playing games, then you know there’s a short list of people who could take over the legendary Game Master throne at Critical Role. And folks, Brennan Lee Mulligan is one of those rare unicorns. Yes, that Brennan Lee Mulligan—the guy who’s so good at world-building he could probably convince you that a potato is a sentient being with complex emotions. Critical Role just secured him to helm their highly anticipated Campaign 4, and fans are equal parts ecstatic and emotionally unprepared.

Critical Role’s Reboot Energy? It’s Real 

Campaign 4, set to debut this October, isn’t just a continuation of what we know and love from Critical Role. Oh no, they’re pulling a full-on creative reboot. New world? Check. Fresh tone? Yup. Entirely new legends to be forged? Absolutely. Critical Role co-founder Marisha Ray said it best, “We’re not just turning a page—we’re starting a whole new book.” That’s a not-so-subtle promise to take fans on a wild ride through uncharted storytelling territory.

For everyone following Critical Role‘s iconic campaigns—from Vox Machina to The Mighty Nein and _Bells Hells_—this marks a pivotal shift. Even original Game Master Matt Mercer is taking a breather. That’s right, the Matt Mercer! He’s stepping aside (briefly, don’t panic!) so Brennan can apply his trademark mix of humor, intense drama, and dazzling creativity to what will surely be an unforgettable adventure.

Why Brennan Lee Mulligan? 

Now, for anyone asking, “Why Brennan Lee Mulligan?” Are you kidding? Mulligan is essentially a storytelling machine built in a lab to wreck your emotions. His work on Dimension 20 is legendary. I mean, no one else could transform a high school drama into a D&D masterpiece (seriously, “Fantasy High” is still the gold standard). If his projects at Dropout are any indication, Mulligan knows how to bring depth to characters, create laugh-out-loud humor, and balance it all with lethal emotional punches that leave you sobbing—but, like, in a good way.

Travis Willingham, Critical Role’s CEO, summed it up perfectly: “His passion and drive for world-building is infectious.” That’s corporate speak for “he’s so good it’s unfair, and you’ll love every second of it.”

Oh, and in case you were worried, Mulligan isn’t abandoning his duties at Dropout either. The guy just signed a three-year deal with Dropout to continue leading Dimension 20 while also cooking up new projects. How does he have time for all of this? Magic, probably.

What Can Fans Expect? 

Here’s the thing about Brennan Lee Mulligan’s DM style—it’s unpredictable in the best way. Imagine biting your nails over a high-stakes battle only to have the entire situation flip into a comedy of errors. His narratives are packed with depth but never take themselves too seriously. And now, Critical Role’s universe is about to experience that firsthand. The change of pace might just shake things up for veterans in ways that make us all remember why we love TTRPGs.

While details of the Campaign 4 cast, game system, and new world are being kept under wraps (cue frustrated screaming), here’s what we do know. If you’re a Beacon.tv subscriber, you’ll get extra perks like access to extended post-show banter from the cast. That’s prime behind-the-scenes tea, people.

And for everyone else, episodes will stream on their usual platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Oh, you want the VODs too? They’re set to drop on the Mondays following live sessions. Plus, podcast lovers can tune into their two-part episode drops. Critical Role really said, “We’ve got you covered no matter how you consume content.”

How Brennan’s Presence Could Change Critical Role Forever 

Here’s where it gets juicy. Mulligan’s arrival isn’t just a “guest appearance.” This feels like a deliberate step toward showing the versatility and longevity of the Critical Role brand. The shift away from the familiar Exandria setting could open doors to even more experimental storytelling (laser dragons, anyone?).

More importantly, rotating Game Masters gives the original cast breathing room to explore other passions without abandoning the series that thousands of fans schedule their lives around. It’s a win-win for everyone. Well, except for fans who still haven’t emotionally processed Campaign 3’s finale. To them, I say, buckle up. Things are going to get TENSE!!

The Final Countdown 

Campaign 4 kicks off October 2, and if you’re not marking that date in your calendar, are you even a fan? Between Brennan Lee Mulligan’s epic storytelling prowess and Critical Role’s promise of fresh, boundary-pushing content, this campaign is shaping up to be the highlight of 2024’s TTRPG scene. You don’t want to miss it.

And hey, if Brennan manages to sneak in a few jokes about American Girl Doll shoes during the campaign, we’ll know he’s truly reading our minds.