Critical Role fans are getting their first real look at what it’s like to play in a Brennan Lee Mulligan-run campaign alongside the main cast, and according to Taliesin Jaffe, the experience comes with a very specific kind of danger. During a recent panel moderated by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt at Awesome Con, Jaffe was asked about the differences he’s experienced during Campaign 4 and what has made this story feel distinct compared to previous Critical Role campaigns. Rather than focusing on mechanics or story scale, Jaffe described Mulligan’s approach as something much more personal.
Critical Role’s Taliesin Jaffe Had the Perfect Description for Brennan Lee Mulligan’s DM Style
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While discussing the experience of playing under Mulligan as Dungeon Master, Jaffe explained that one of the biggest differences is how intentionally Mulligan uses character choices against the players. “I got a taste of how Brennan likes to play his games… He has a way of weaponizing your character build on a level that I was not prepared for,” Jaffe said during the panel. He continued by explaining that Mulligan’s style often involves taking what players say they want from their characters and pushing those ideas to difficult or unexpected extremes. “If you tell him what you want, he will give it to you in the worst possible way,” Jaffe added. For longtime Dimension 20 viewers, that description will likely sound familiar. Mulligan has built a reputation for deeply character-driven storytelling that often turns player backstories, motivations, and emotional goals into the foundation for major narrative conflicts.
Mulligan’s presence in Campaign 4 represents one of the biggest creative shifts in Critical Role’s history. While Matthew Mercer remains closely associated with the franchise’s storytelling style, Mulligan brings a different pacing and narrative philosophy shaped by his work on Dimension 20. Where Mercer often emphasizes long-form character evolution and slow-burn worldbuilding, Mulligan’s campaigns are frequently known for their intensity, rapid emotional escalation, and willingness to directly challenge characters through their own flaws and ambitions. Jaffe’s comments suggest that difference is something the cast is actively feeling at the table. The actor also noted that understanding Mulligan’s style influenced how he approached building his Campaign 4 character, including thinking about what personal traits might become narrative pressure points later in the story.
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Campaign 4 Continues to Push Critical Role Into New Territory
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Campaign 4 has already distinguished itself by experimenting with structure, tone, and cast dynamics, and Mulligan’s involvement is a major part of that evolution. Bringing in another high-profile Dungeon Master signals Critical Role’s continued interest in expanding how it tells stories within its flagship campaigns. For fans of both Critical Role and Dimension 20, Jaffe’s comments may confirm what many already suspected: when Brennan Lee Mulligan is behind the screen, no character choice is ever truly safe.
Critters, be sure to stay tuned at Collider for more updates on Critical Role out of Awesome Con.
Image via Critical Role
Image via Critical Role
Image via JT Anderson
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