Test of Pride | Critical Role: VOX MACHINA | Episode 51 

Pike and Grog together is the cutest thing. Pike makes the vicious Goliath a sweet innocent child.

Im seriously in love with Mercers improv capabilities. Everybody's talking about Grog this episode. Sure Travis is great. But Matt does impeccable improv every single episode without skipping a beat.

I can't get past the fact that the Trinket statue looks like it's patting Laura's head the entire show.

*Vex flashes Grog* Percy - “.......don’t you dare die happy!”

I love the continuity and character development of Eartbreaker Groon teaching Grog that his strength lies in his friends and Grog acknowledging in this fight that he needs the rest of Vox Machina

When Matt breaks character and laughs, an angel is born

This show never seems to disappoint. The key is they always look like they are having so much fun, and it isn't scripted. You get to see their real reactions to the story-line and take part in it with them. Not to mention how awesome the roleplaying portion of the game is and how awesome a DM Matt is. I never watch it live but I am always itching for Monday when they release the video here on RU-vid. Man, I love this show.

Grog- “Vax, what would you say is the number one pro tip when fighting someone like me?” Vax- “D-d-don’t?”

I cannot watch that new intro video without laughing my ass off when Scanlan casts lighting bolt with a pelvic thrust. And then the look of indignation from Pike before she walks off. Just perfect. Well done everyone.

Matt Mercers a dude playin' a dude, disguised as another dude

Never hated an ending more. That was a damn fine cliffhanger. Thank goodness I'm 2 years late, and I can just pick up the next episode tomorrow morning.

Vox Machina: 95% planning 5%action

Percy: "We're mean." Vax: "...Efficient."

Sam is just amazing. When all plans go to shit(and they always do), he finds an absolutely insane solution and then makes it work.

OMG LIAM IS WEARING A RAVEN

I'm having a fuckin blast watching this shit and I'm not even a table top gamer. You guys are great.

So, two possibilities: 1) Matt designed Kevdak to be a difficult, but beatable 1v1 challenge for Grog, and everything is now hilariously derailed by having the entire party jump in. or 2) Matt designed Kevdak as a difficult challenge for the entire party, making the 1v1 impossible for Grog to win, and bringing in all of Vox Machina is re-railing everything. I'm leaning towards option 1, since Kevdak didn't use a legendary action to resist Grog's intimidation.

When the goliaths were hanging on to the edge of the pit all I was thinking of was tweety bird "this little piggy went to the market..."

Am I the only person who imagines Dr Dranzel’s Spectacular Traveling Troup as Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem?

Should have made Stonejaw’s mouth slightly agape. That way he would have been a slackjawed stonejaw strongjaw.

Grog suddenly realizing the plan probably wouldn't work has made the top 10 list of scenes I want to see animated.

Just checking in with whoever is catching up during quarantine! We got this my fellow new critter gang

I love how Matt allows Laura using Hunter's Mark retroactively because he knows that dropping the concentration on Pass Without a Trace is bigger punishment for not casting Hunter's Mark in advance than not allowing her do it after the hit. E-V-I-L!

Travis is an absolute beast of a roleplayer. All of them are amazing but Travis goes far and beyond to think and act like Grog.

By this point I am like, "They are all married, but they all seem to like flirting with one another."

Jaw Jaw is the Goliath Moon Moon.

"I challenge you to single combat, for the pride of this herd." Literal chills

6:56 Scanlan explains the situation 11:23 Scanlan's plan 13:42 Father/Daughter bonding 22:12 Obligatory advertisement 25:28 Vox Machina always has the same Plan B 26:49 Keyleth speaks too smart for Grog 56:28 All of Scanlan's plans involve some form of subterfuge 58:04 Scanlan tries to be a father 1:02:46 The first time Scanlan's conversational skills are a little rough 1:05:02 Everyone can open doors but Vox Machina 1:19:11 Vox Machina needs to pow wow every two minutes to figure out what the plan is 1:19:24 What was your plan, Scanlan? 1:23:52 All of Scanlan's plans involve making a distraction 1:37:21 Just give Grog a hug, Keyleth 1:38:56 Grog wants to be done with all the touchy feely nonsense 1:41:27 Vex helps Grog in her own way 1:41:49 D'aww Grog and Pike

Grog should've yelled "JENGA"

12:43 - Smoke & Mirrors 40:15 - Pike is Back! 1:29:55 - Phrasing 1:39:40 - Scanlan Inspires Grog 1:41:27 - Vex "Inspires" Grog 1:41:52 - Grog & Pike Feels 1:47:30 - Grog and his Escort 1:56:35 - Pike vs Halfling 1:58:20 - Scanlan vs Halfling 2:08:00 - Grog Mocking 2:10:45 - Grog is Brought to the Square 2:13:00 - Grog's Speech 2:14:25 - Kevdak, the Thunderlord 2:18:08 - Grog Picks a Fight 2:29:30 - Let Them Fight!

Love how grog has grown from this seemingly one note character all about ale and violence to a profound and well spoken if a little blunt man of a Goliath. One with heart and honor. One that showcases his power and his strengths. Of strategy. Of depth and of karmic Justice. The lovable goody gory badass I love him for. AGNI KAI AGNI KAI AGNI KAI!!

for all the banging on people do about Liam hogging the spotlight, i really dont see any evidence. he plays it up when it's his moment and when it's someone else's he is completely and utterly invested in them.

Yeah, Matt has a problem... That town square was bloody awesome. :)

I love how with a drop of only 45' Keyleth immediately considers turning into a bird but later on at a drop of 2000' her instinct is goldfish

I feel like the “worst” part about watching these old episodes is not having Flando here to guide us through the episodes

Coming back to this episode after watching Search For Grog. That character is so much more than a doofus stereotype. Grog is the most badass member of Vox Machina, and Travis truly shows his immense quality as an actor in his portrayal of him.

I don't think I've ever disagreed with Matt more than when he said "This isn't really acrobatics, it's more of just jumping.". I understand where he was coming from but acrobatics is THE jumping skill!

This episode made Grog my absolute favorite character holy shit. Travis is fucking fantastic.

every interaction with scalan and kaylie is so sweet, i hope she appears more in the future too

2:07:20 Keyleth.exe has stopped working.

Laura: "Should I take out Trinket?" Me, out loud, at 2:17am: "WHY!?"

Kudos to whoever was directing the cameras in this episode. Going to single camera at a time has to be super complicated compared to the old way of doing things.

At least with this camera format, we don't have to see the annoying swiping sidebar naming people who have joined the nerdwork

0:01 - Relevent Tech Difficulties 2:00 - Modeling 6:56 - Scanlan explains the situation 7:58 - Father And Daughter 11:23 - Scanlan's plan 13:42 - Father/Daughter bonding 20:00 - Meanwhile 22:12 - Obligatory advertisement 25:28 - Vox Machina always has the same Plan B 26:49 - Keyleth speaks too smart for Grog 27:25 - The Trap Is Sprung 56:28 - All of Scanlan's plans involve some form of subterfuge 58:04 - Scanlan tries to be a father 1:02:46 - The first time Scanlan's conversational skills are a little rough 1:05:02 - Everyone can open doors but Vox Machina 1:06:00 - Daughter Saves The Day 1:19:11 - Vox Machina needs to pow wow every two minutes to figure out what the plan is 1:19:24 - What was your plan, Scanlan? 1:23:52 - All of Scanlan's plans involve making a distraction 1:37:21 - Just give Grog a hug, Keyleth 1:38:56 - Grog wants to be done with all the touchy feely nonsense 1:41:27 - Vex helps Grog in her own way 1:41:49 - D'aww Grog and Pike

At right around 2:03:00when they make stealth checks... and everyone turns and stares at Ashley. Oh. My. God.

This was actually a bit frustrating to watch. They know Grog's going in for the fight of his life against someone who's juicing at least a godly artifact. Why isn't he going in with several blessings, a heroes feast, a potion of giant strength, etc etc?

The DnD gods watching Vox Machina trying to sneak around the city: haha look at these idiots

I love how EVERYONE gets excited when Ashley rolls low lol

I’m watching this again after watching the animated series and I keep hearing Pike: Let’s crack some fucking skulls! lol

Man my mouth gets dry just watching Matt work. As a new dm I know the importance of a break and hydration. He's down for his art haha

This truly was an episode where Travis and Sam shined! Amazing role play on display.

I think the best thing about this scene, and others like it(the briarwoods and such) is that these are moments from their backstories. Epic moments with giant larger than life characters that needed to be handled at level 12+ lest they appear to be little to no real threat. For example, if kevdak or the briarwoods were handled at level 3-4 it would have been like...ok sure, but why were they such a threat? Town guards could take them out... So 3+ years into a campaign these massive figures finally get the respect, love, and gravitas that they deserve. Also I appreciate that Matt is no longer telling them when a spell cast would conflict with existing concentration spells, he's just logging the lack of an effect. Like when Marisha cast hold person for no reason, and laura cast hunter's mark for no reason. ALSO ALSO, I understand that Travis is under some pressure here, but it's obvious that Kevdak is also a high level barb, so why didn't he use reckless attacks? Disadvantage doesn't stack!

2:19:20 "I was wondering, do you also squat when you piss now?" What a fucking line, Travis is so damn good.

After Kevdak destroyed Grog on the ring I've waited for Matt to say: "And this, children, is how you play Goliath Barbarian."

Travis tried so hard to keep Grog dumb and out of the strategy talks, but I can definitely see why he chose to start chiming in much more frequently. Even at the cost of attribute roleplay. It looks like it gets really boring, having to wait patiently to smash things while your Group fumbles over the objectives. If I were him, I'd occasionally just have Grog wander off to take care of business while the group squabbles... Just to remind them not to over-think things.

Damn, I was scared for Grog when Matt described the Bear Insignia. Bear Totems are annoying to fight.. Especially if you are trying to do a mano-e mano style confrontation. Trying to beat him down was never going to work. I am glad that Grog in character swallowed his pride and called for help. Even though it is kinda humiliating especially in front of the herd to bend your knees, I am glad that Grog was actually thinking long term here instead of the short term, something Kevdak pointed out as well XD. I doubt even with Kraven Edge, Grog stood a chance. DC12 Con save against a Barbarian is pointless lmfao. He might get a few lucky Nat 1s, but it definitely isn't all that powerful against someone who can consistently save.

Travis is such a great actor, my God, and those lines he comes up with...

I freaking love the Pike and Grog friendship. They make me smile every time they interact. ❤

travis is actually way too good at being scary

you know this whole full camera on one group/matt at a time isnt bad

For Moi 0:01 - Relevent Tech Difficulties 2:00 - Modeling 6:56 - Scanlan explains the situation 7:58 - Father And Daughter 11:23 - Scanlan's plan 13:42 - Father/Daughter bonding 20:00 - Meanwhile 22:12 - Obligatory advertisement 25:28 - Vox Machina always has the same Plan B 26:49 - Keyleth speaks too smart for Grog 27:25 - The Trap Is Sprung 56:28 - All of Scanlan's plans involve some form of subterfuge 58:04 - Scanlan tries to be a father 1:02:46 - The first time Scanlan's conversational skills are a little rough 1:05:02 - Everyone can open doors but Vox Machina 1:06:00 - Daughter Saves The Day 1:19:11 - Vox Machina needs to pow wow every two minutes to figure out what the plan is 1:19:24 - What was your plan, Scanlan? 1:23:52 - All of Scanlan's plans involve making a distraction 1:37:21 - Just give Grog a hug, Keyleth 1:38:56 - Grog wants to be done with all the touchy feely nonsense 1:41:27 - Vex helps Grog in her own way 1:41:49 - D'aww Grog and Pike

I don't know what I like more, the interactions between Scanlan and Pike, or the interactions between Pike and Grog.

if Kevdak couldn't approach, why did Grog just not attack him from the distance and yank the chain back? and did they not forget about it later?

"Sit down son before you hurt yourself" oooh I'd have given Grog advantage on that Intimidation for how badass that was lol

I love how when Sam did the little song for Grog that Taliesin didn't miss a beat and clapped with him

So I've always found Grog's "yeah" low-key adorable. It's got a certain mischievous air to it, even when he's being serious.

I never thought that I would ever become emotionally invested in watching 8 play pretend...

I didn't even notice the camera changes.

@2:24:35 Sam saying "and it's all made out of cake" has really thrown me off after all of the videos I've seen on twitter

Grog: "probly 30 to 40 now" Me: Grog you don't even know what those numbers mean

Travis is bone-chillingly good at improv.

Grog's speech around 2:13:00 actually made me cry a little, better than Game of Thrones. Well said Travis! :,3 Edit: And everything else that followed, damn I love this show!

I can still say my games kinda look like the first few arcs of critical roll. Now though. Damn that town square. So beautiful. I dont have the time or money for that Mecer, damn you I luv u man

Dude the Stonejaw segment has me dead man 😂

Jesus....if ONLY he could've awakened Craven Edge in THIS fight. That chance to bump strength every attack would've made a difference. Plus the necro damage

20 min in and matt already picked up his glass and didn’t drink

I love that everyone hates that talesin can do a perfect crow noise.

Matt: the bells have now fully subsided. Que music with bells.

I'd like to point out that the single camera thing actually worked pretty well, aside from a little slowness to shift between cameras I actually enjoyed seeing everyone in a larger format. Maybe this is something worth considering in the future? At the very least spend more time in one-shot mode in future episodes.

So, Scanlan has a Vibrosword now. Hes ready to fight Jedi.

I love how they're all storytellers enough that they always, always end at an impactful, "after these messages" or "tune in next week" kind of moment. It can't be Matt's storytelling every time, his players are also masterful at getting the right story beats.

I actually really like that Grog lost Craven Edge right before this big confrontation. Now that he's doing it without his evil crutch, it means so much more.

6:56 Scanlan explains the situation 11:23 Scanlan's plan 13:42 Father/Daughter bonding 22:12 Obligatory advertisement 25:28 Vox Machina always has the same Plan B 26:49 Keyleth speaks too smart for Grog 56:28 All of Scanlan's plans involve some form of subterfuge 58:04 Scanlan tries to be a father 1:02:46 The first time Scanlan's conversational skills are a little rough 1:05:02 Everyone can open doors but Vox Machina 1:19:11 Vox Machina needs to pow wow every two minutes to figure out what the plan is 1:19:24 What was your plan, Scanlan? 1:23:52 All of Scanlan's plans involve making a distraction 1:37:21 Just give Grog a hug, Keyleth 1:38:56 Grog wants to be done with all the touchy feely nonsense 1:41:27 Vex helps Grog in her own way 1:41:49 D'aww Grog and Pike

0:01 - Relevent Tech Difficulties 2:00 - Modeling 6:56 - Scanlan explains the situation 7:58 - Father And Daughter 11:23 - Scanlan's plan 13:42 - Father/Daughter bonding 20:00 - Meanwhile 22:12 - Obligatory advertisement 25:28 - Vox Machina always has the same Plan B 26:49 - Keyleth speaks too smart for Grog 27:25 - The Trap Is Sprung 56:28 - All of Scanlan's plans involve some form of subterfuge 58:04 - Scanlan tries to be a father 1:02:46 - The first time Scanlan's conversational skills are a little rough 1:05:02 - Everyone can open doors but Vox Machina 1:06:00 - Daughter Saves The Day 1:19:11 - Vox Machina needs to pow wow every two minutes to figure out what the plan is 1:19:24 - What was your plan, Scanlan? 1:23:52 - All of Scanlan's plans involve making a distraction 1:37:21 - Just give Grog a hug, Keyleth 1:38:56 - Grog wants to be done with all the touchy feely nonsense 1:41:27 - Vex helps Grog in her own way 1:41:49 - D'aww Grog and Pike

as much as I want to catch up, I'm dreading the time wherein I actually have to wait for thursday to watch a new episode

"That totals to uhhhh, let's see... 74" *softly* "That's obscene"

Matt Mercer, with a hand full of toothpicks: "I have... PLaaaaans for theese"

Vax: "Just...no black birds, okay?" Keyleth: "I turn Percy into a raven...and I turn myself into a raven." Vax: -_-

I never thought I would see the day when Scanlen Shorthalt becomes a pageant dad coaching his daughter from off stage. XD

I love how Travis has plans (Decent plans) but he always looks like he's holding back because he's Grog and SHOULDN't have plans lol So good! I love this game and these characters but I am secretly looking forward to them rolling new characters... If they ever DO that is.

Travis absolutely killed it this session as Grog! Brutally intimidating, mockingly clever, and epically badass!

Every time they stealth they should just put Pike in the PokeBall

You IDIOT! I am but a projection! Trying so hard not to wake up my entire family right now by laughing. This is too good.

Pike & Grog are so adorable together it makes my teeth hurt.

Grog's speech at 2:12:31 was definitely one of - if not the best moment of Grog. Kudos to Travis for pulling such an awesome speech mid-game. Also, that music timing though?

shout out to the geek and sundry crew for a) getting the show up and running at all after the tech difficulties, and b) directing the camera changes in such a way that it didn't interrupt, and actually enhanced, the story. you all had a rough job that night, and you handled it gloriously. :)))))

"What do you see around you?" "Uuh... Idiots on broomsticks, flying around." Taliesin nods in agreeance.

17:35 Matt: The western gate. Scanlan: The western gate, the western gate! Matt as Kaylee as Stonejaw: *THE WESTERN GATE*

"Scanlan, what can you see?!?" "Idiots on broomsticks!!"

I love how Travis RP's Grog. He's a total buffoon until he needs to be more than that, and then he's exactly what the party needs: a thoughtful tactical leader. what an excellent complex character