Key information
The latest episode of Critical Role delivered intense chaos centered around the attempted assassination of Wicander Halovar. The author reports that the session featured numerous moving parts, including a Hold Person spell, two attacking assassins, a Command spell from Wicander's father, rushing guards, a desperate mother, and other characters rushing through the venue to intervene.
Mechanically, the situation was heavily stacked against the player due to adverse circumstances. Hold Person grants auto-crits on melee attacks and requires a Wisdom saving throw, for which Wicander had a zero ability modifier. Furthermore, a bardic inspiration die that fell a mere one short on his final death save spelled the end of the character.
The author addresses fan criticism from rules lawyers who felt a subsequent devil's bargain offered by Brennan was going too easy on the player. The author refutes this, noting that the disadvantage save carried roughly a seventy percent chance of the worst-case scenario, and points out the immense pressure the player faced during the multi-hour combat.
Ultimately, the player rolled a 12 and a 13 on the disadvantage save, achieving a success that prompted a visceral reaction from the author. The author recommends watching the campaign, describing it as some of the best actual play currently available.
