Of all of the many Non-Player Characters introduced throughout the history of Critical Role, what are some of the greatest Matt Mercer characters?
After The Legend of Vox Machina introduced fans to fantastic characters like Allura and the Briarwoods, longtime supporters of Critical Role have been revisiting some of the other Non-Player Characters that the series has produced. Whether they were cut from the Vox Machina TV show or take place in other campaigns, these NPCs have become beloved to fans.
With three campaigns, hundreds of characters, and dozens of settings in the series, there has been considerable discussion about these NPCs, but one question remains. Reddit, however, has settled on some of what they believe or the best of the best in the hundreds of characters on the series.
An exiled mind flayer that took to traveling with Vox Machina, Clarota was a tragic character with a disappointing ending. Rather than facing full redemption, Clarota did as Lady Kima warned the party and eventually betrayed the group. And it's why fans remember him so fondly.
His Hive convinced him to "turn on the only individuals that had ever shown him pity and compassion," says Reddit user AttourneyAtAwesome. "He turned on his friends because his abusive family told him to. It is one of the most tragic things I've seen in Critical Role." It's especially disappointing, because the party, which had genuinely connected with Clarota, was forced to kill him. The tragedy hung over the fans, and Clarota is remembered as one of the top villains in early Critical Role.
The paladin who warned Vox Machina about Clarota, Kima was a former adventurer and member of the Order of the Platinum Dragon. She, alongside her wife, Allura, served to aid Vox Machina throughout their adventures. Her extraordinary fighting skills and adventuring experience made her an excellent asset to the party.
But fans tend to remember Kima for her personality. As Reddit user literallymagic put it, "I would hang out with Kima, assuming she wouldn't get bored of me." Her feisty and willful personality makes her a character that's easy to love, and her nature being taken directly from Critical Role for the show has introduced a vast array of new fans to the character. It's caused a resurgence of respect for Lady Kima, and many fans are happy to see it.
The not-a-god who became a god, Artagan is fondly remembered for his role in the Vox Machina campaign, but it was his reintroduction in the second campaign that made fans love him. "I love mischievous Lords of the Fey, and the whiplash of him going from a guy drawing high-fantasy dickbutts to being a proud Archfey entertained me to no end," says Redditor bv310.
His nature as a trickster and his well-intended but disastrous relationship with Jester brought much the fun to the Mighty Nein campaign. He helped shape Jester into one of the best Player Characters in Critical Role, and he brought a unique brand of chaos to the show that few others have been able to match.
An armored bear, Trinket is somehow one of the most enjoyable characters in the first campaign, and for good reason. "Matt does so much to give Trinket life and personality, often without words. His facial expressions and grunts leave no doubt what Trinket is feeling at that moment," says Reddit user Seedy88. "And, when he does make him speak, his word choice is usually perfect for the situation as well."
Even outside of Matt Mercer's talent in shaping characters, his sweet relationship with Vex'ahlia always helps to bring out an often-unseen side to her that softens the character somewhat. He also is always a hilarious addition to a scene, given numerous running jokes about Sam Riegel's hatred of the bear or how useless Trinket can be in a fight.
The much-loved shopkeeper of the Vox Machina campaign, Gilmore is one of the greatest characters in the show, NPC or not. "Gilmore brings a ridiculous level of chemistry to every single interaction that he has with every player," says Reddit user hethyba. "It's so cool to see how his portrayal and his dynamic with the other characters (particularly Vax of course) and even his voice changes depending on where he is in his arc but it all feels authentic to the character."
His good humor and flirtatious personality helped him to bond with Vax'ildan, while his wares helped bring the party back again and again. Recently, his introduction in The Legend of Vox Machina enticed fans enormously, and many are extraordinarily excited for the character to return in force in the second season.
In many early campaigns, parties can stumble across bandits that threaten them for resources or aid. These are usually skilled crews dedicated to their task and more than willing to take on an equally skilled party. The Mighty Nein, however, came across the Bad Luck Bandits.
The Bandits originally intended to rob the Mighty Nein, but after their leader, Trevor was killed, they immediately surrendered. The party managed to convince them to turn to hunting, and often encountered them throughout their journeys, which pleased the fans like CommanderContra who often remarked "I really really wish they’d encounter them again somehow." The Bad Luck Bandits always added humor to a scene, but their turn from criminal mischief to honest hunting was surprisingly heartwarming.
The villain who starred in one of the most epic fights in the show, the Laughing Hand was a monster. Freed by Obann, the Laughing Hand attacked the party with abandon. It was only by destroying his heart that the Mighty Nein were able to defeat him. Had they not, it might have meant the end of them.
As WildMagicKobolds said on Reddit, "One hell of an awesome villain. He wasn't too smart, but damn was he menacing." Menacing, indeed. Though Critical Role isn't a horror series, it was one of the most terrifying introductions any character has had, and the psychological impact he had on the team, alongside Obann, is incalculable.
A dark brooding wizard from a nation that didn't understand him, Essek betrayed the Kryn Dynasty in favor of the Empire, yet eventually became a friend to the Mighty Nein. "Essek was supposed to be an antagonist," says Reddit user a_108_ducks. But something changed. "Him and Caleb have always had a connection and he was a seemingly friendly face for the Nein when there were most uncertain of who to trust."
Essek's character arc is one of the most carefully crafted in the series. From an uncaring researcher to a close friend and confidant, from a foil to a fully fleshed character, and from a monster to a man. Essek learned and developed alongside Caleb Widogast, and it's for that reason that fans have come to adore Essek as much as they have. That, of course, and his fantastic design and mysterious nature.
Respectfully the best shopkeeper in Wildemount, Pumat Soul was a firbolg with three simulacra designed to help him around his shop. Fans tend to remember him for his slow and methodical mannerisms, his kind nature, and his willingness to help the Mighty Nein.
But there's one more thing fans remember him for. "Pumat is definitely the best first impression from any NPC," says Redditor Dc33_. "[He was] just so awesome and still is." Being introduced to a four-in-one man is certainly incredible, but to have it come as unexpectedly as it did stunned fans, and many still remember it fondly.
A loyal construct, Doty was the servant of Player Character Taryon Darrington, the most renowned fake adventurer of the Vox Machina campaign. Though he could barely speak, and the character couldn't do much, fans still adore him. "Arguably Doty provided one of the most memorable and funniest interactions between the PCs," argues Reddit user AlphaMikeFoxtrot.
The scene with Pike, Taryon, and Doty's flashcards alone makes Doty one of the funniest characters in the show's history. But, besides trying to kill Taryon at one point, his loyalty as a friend secures his place as one of the most beloved NPCs in Critical Role.
