Few Dungeons and Dragons shows put in the effort that Critical Role does into roleplay. In fact, it was that very focus on roleplay that led to the show being adapted into The Legend of Vox Machina, a TV series dedicated to showcasing key arcs from the first campaign.
But the roleplaying isn't all that fans love from the series. Many fans enjoy the fight sequences that come between roleplay interactions and shopping montages. And some of those fight sequences are the best in the medium.
The Frost Worm
One of the struggles that many DMs face when designing encounters is ensuring that each fight will feel distinct. After all, it isn't much fun to have the same encounter time and time again. Sometimes, the key to making a unique encounter is to allow players to do what they'd like in a fight.
"I know everyone hates cheesing battles but I personally love... the Frost Worm fight that ended in hilarious Polymorph shenanigans," says NessValk on Reddit. "It's just such a great image to me. If you're a 13th level dnd character I feel like you should be allowed to use your powers to trivialize encounters." By allowing the players to turn the giant frost worm into a turtle, it made for one of the funniest post-fight moments in the series, and it made the players feel powerful.
Wall of Fire
Not every great fight is necessarily one that ends in a victory, of course. The stunning fight between the Mighty Nein and Avantika in the 42nd episode of the second season has a fantastic opening that then leads to a slow and terrible collapse for the Mighty Nein.
"The fight itself fell apart pretty quick, but the Wall of Fire moment in [Campaign 2] was definitely my favorite start of combat," says Reddit user thats-so-meta314. It's a dramatic moment, made even more dramatic by Caleb's relationship with his own powers. It's one of the brightest moments for one of Critical Role's best player characters, and it's why this fight is held in such high esteem.
The Empyrean
After Grog pulled a card from the Deck of Many Things, the Critical Role cast launched one of their best one-shots as they desperately tried to bring Grog back from the bring. In the end, Grog was forced to fight the empyrean only moments after having recovered his soul and managed to earn a win for Vox Machina.
"The Fallen Empyrean in Pandemonium was great in my opinion," says Redditor 3point1416ish. "Mostly because of how epic Grog coming back from his catatonic, soulless state in the middle of an epic battle and getting the killing blow." It was one of the most awe-inspiring scenes in the series, but it was also an essential one for the characters. After losing Vax not too long before the mission, having the chance to prove that they still have the ability to fight and win helped provide them some needed closure.
K'Varn
One of the first major villains ever shown on stream, K'Varn was a supreme threat to the early Vox Machina teams. "One of the best monsters in D&D history, surrounded by some of the others; at mid-level of an awesome immersed play group," says RaibDarkin on Reddit. "Clever ploys, high stakes, lots of back and forth, action and reactions. Awesome victory and a narrow escape. Plus Pike. Sign me up."
Indeed, there was a lot to love with this fight. It was a well-balanced encounter that nearly led to the death of several players, which really helped to establish the tone of the show since it was so early in the run. Without this fight, it's possible the show doesn't become nearly the instant success that it was.
Giant Murder Baby
In the late stages of the second campaign, the Mighty Nein stumbled across a monster that has since haunted the dreams of many fans. With a mouth filled with reaching arms, a gigantic baby face, and a light protruding from its forehead, one villain nearly slaughtered the entire party in one fell swoop.
"The Giant Murder Baby fight would also work to show how absolutely horrifying a single enemy can be," says Reddit user Unlucky_Colt. Given that the party was put in such dire straits, it was also incredible how the cast responded. The decision to use suude against the monster was a brilliant move that helped avoid the end of the campaign over a dozen episodes early, and it made for some fun and interesting effects.
Scanbo
In a scene lifted directly from Critical Role for The Legend of Vox Machina, Scanlan's one-man army attack during the Briarwood arc was one of the most incredible fights in the show. Even when all the odds were stacked against him, and it looked like Scanlan would be playing his last song, he managed to pull out the victory.
"Scanlan's solo Jurassic attack on the mansion is what got me into CR for [the] long haul," says navd11 on Reddit, and they aren't alone. Many fans adore the vast variety of spells and potions Scanlan used. Fans of the bard subclass also loved the fight, because it proved just how useful a bard can truly be.
The Cathedral
The fight that led to the death of the Laughing Hand and the return of the captured party member Yasha, the fight at the Cathedral is certainly a beloved one in the eyes of fans. "So intense, such awesome visuals, clutch moves, and the emotional return of our beloved Yasha," says Reddit user Rachaellawrites.
Between the narrative implications of the fight and the terror the characters felt at confronting the enemy, there was always a heavy tension building up to the battle. But the reality was even more terrifying, as the encounter was so difficult, the party only truly survived thanks to the help of an NPC, Pumat.
Blue Dragon in the Happy Fun Ball
Sometimes, the only choice is to run and hide, as the Critical Role cast discovered when facing off against a young blue dragon. "It was so disorganized," says Redditor jmucchiello. "People arrived and departed throughout the fight. It was wondrous."
Between the incredible power of the dragon against a still-developing cast, the incredible Critical Role guest character claiming a victory, and the relativity of time playing a significant role in the fight, it was a horrifying sequence that very well could have ended in a complete party death.
Vecna the Undying
There are few fights as anticipated as the final battle with Vecna in the climax of the first campaign of Critical Role. "The points of failure of the Vecna fight — banishments, polymorphs, feebleminds, trammels breaking, teleportation — were varied and interesting," says Redditor Emberys. "Then you've got fun guest stars, amazing clutch moments, and the incredibly high stakes and big emotions that come from it being the culmination of a five-year game."
In managing to keep a fight engaging, despite the fact that it was eight rounds and hours long, the cast managed to make Vecna into one of Critical Role's top villains. The fact that the aftermath of the fight enacted such a heavy cost was also memorable, and Scanlan's wish ending in tears for multiple players was something that made countless fans emotional — and for good reason. It was the perfect end to a fantastic campaign.
The Kill Box
Kevdak. The final fight between Grog and the man who cast him out of his herd. A fight that ends with one of the most brutal deaths in the series, Grog finally manages to get justice for what Kevdak did to him and countless others through the years.
"I think most critters will agree this is the most insane fight that's ever happened on stream," says Reddit user Galastan. "Equal parts tense, exciting, and dangerous for the party. One of the only fights... where [Vox Machina] was truly in danger of a [Total Party Kill]." Given how strong a fighter Grog was, seeing him defeated was horrifying, but it was a supreme relief to see him get the upper hand to reclaim his herd. It's why fans look back at this fight as fondly as they do.