Critical Role Just Pulled a Plot Twist Worthy of a Nat 20 - Brennan Lee Mulligan Is the New GM for Campaign 4

Wait. Stop scrolling. Did you hear that collective gasp ripple through the TTRPG multiverse? That was the sound of a thousand dice clattering to the floor and one very dramatic bard fainting into a velvet chaise. Critical Role just announced their next campaign, and folks… they really said, "New world, who dis?"

First of all - yes, Campaign 4 is coming. It launches October 2. That alone is enough to make our nerdy little hearts do a happy jig. But the real thunderclap? Matthew Mercer is stepping aside as Game Master. Matthew Mercer. The man who basically is Exandria. The wizard behind the curtain. The DM we all aspire to be when we grow up.

And who’s stepping up to the GM throne? None other than Brennan Lee Mulligan. Yes, the fast-talking, lore-weaving, brain-melting genius from Dimension 20. This isn’t a one-shot. It’s not a guest arc. Brennan is helming the entire campaign. The crossover energy is so strong I’m surprised we didn’t hear the Avengers theme in the background when they made the announcement.

This is more than just a casting change - it’s a full-on reboot of the Critical Role universe. For the first time ever, the crew is leaving behind Exandria (sorry, Vox Machina lovers) and setting sail for an entirely new world. No Mighty Nein, no Bells Hells, no Whispered One lurking in the shadows… this is a whole new plane of existence. And if you’ve ever seen Brennan GM, you know it’s going to be an absolute storytelling feast. Expect rapid-fire character moments, lore so deep it needs a scuba tank, and at least one NPC that becomes everyone’s emotional support goblin.

Travis Willingham (aka Fjord, aka the CEO of Critical Role Productions) said they’ve been fans of Brennan for years, and when it came time to let Mercer and Exandria take a breather, Brennan was the obvious pick. Honestly, no lies detected. If you’re going to pass the torch, pass it to someone who can juggle 15 plotlines and make you cry about a rock.

But don’t panic - this isn’t the end of Critical Role as we know it. Mercer himself described it as more of an evolution, mentoring new storytellers while bringing fresh voices into the fold. It’s less of a goodbye and more of an epic expansion pack.

And look, we don’t even know if this campaign will use Dungeons & Dragons or their new system Daggerheart - the details are still swirling like magical dust. But one thing’s for sure: with Brennan at the helm, it’s going to be wild, weird, and very watchable.

So grab your dice, stock up on snacks, and prepare your soul for emotional devastation. Critical Role: Campaign 4 begins October 2 on Beacon, Twitch, and YouTube. See you there, fellow nerds. It’s gonna be legendary.