Is THIS The NEXT Critical Role? Smosh's Dungeons & Dragons Sword AF Explained!

Today on The Character Sheet, we are looking at the biggest story in TTRPG and Fantasy news, and that has to be the massive success of Smosh's Dungeons & Dragons Actual play, episode 1 of Sword AF...and what sets it apart from all the other Critical Role competitors...and just where we think this series could go in the future! So is Smosh's Dungeons & Dragons actual play more Dimension 20 than Critical Role...or is it something new and entirely different?

What big strengths do the Smosh cast bring to Sword AF...and can first time DM Damien Haas keep his cast of Smosh all stars, including Shayne Topp, Amanda Lehan-Canto, Amanda Giarratana, and Chance McCray on track for their D&D Adventures?

We're breaking down all those big questions, plus looking at how the success of episode one of Smosh's Sword AF compares to other major D&D actual play series, as we show you just why you might be witnessing the birth of the next big Actual Play Phenomenon!

#smosh #dnd #criticalrole

[TheCharacterSheet]

So, have you watched Smosh's Sword AF yet? And if so...how would you rate it? Let us know in the comments!

[Debloko]

Sword AF is pretty much a following of their Board AF Legacy, where they played Betrayal At House On The Hill for 13 rounds. It had the same cast of Smosh members as Sword AF, and views liked a lot because it showed their talent as actors and improvisers, not to mention the chemestry betwen each player. Going from that to a D&D style adventures makes sense.

[ldarkllrevanl]

I would recommend watching other videos of theirs to those who couldn't immediately find the cast interesting.Smosh does alot of improv and the personalities and chemistry of the cast is amazing. Shayne for one has created many great characters from improv alone and has even expanded on their personalities or lore. For eg, the Chosen is a fan favourite.

[brs]

As a Smosh fan who has never played or watched D&D, this has actually sparked my interest in Dimension 20 and Critical Role videos. I'm actually contemplating subscribing to Dropout just so I can watch their full Crown of Candy/Ravening War series.

[JR-RJ-tc]

I loved it. As a Smosh and CR fan I’d love to see them work together at some point

[WolfMoon]

I watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Im a big Smosh fan and have been following them for years and their multiple channels. Their Gaming one being a pesonal fave due to their pivot into more board game entertainment. Their Board Legacy show was great. 'm happy for their success and am keen to see more DnD shows in the mix. The more the merrier.

[jeffhappens]

1:12 "None of them are veteran TTRPG players"
Chanse and Damien are veteran players
Chanse has an ongoing campaign he plays every week
Damien has been playing since he was 13.

Overall, really excited for this series, and thanks for giving them the spotlight

[billbishop]

I have been a Smosh fan for years and I really enjoyed it. They usually do a Board AF once a week, so I assume there will be one next week. Also they tend to shoot multiple things in a day, so I would expect they shot like 2 or 3 of the 1 hour episodes that day.

[FranklinLongallnitelong]

I like to try out new stuff...The idea of a shorter time for AP is appealing to me...

[MetaGrave]

I'm not looking to add another actual play to my rotation, but the much, much, MUCH shorter time duration is probably going to be an appeal. One hour actual plays are rarities, and that sits in a sweet spot for a lot, so, I'm thinking if they commit to it, it'll do alright in the long run.

[crispyliza]

The 1st episode was so good, I'm already hooked

[CuringBloom]

It was sooo good!! As a CR fan and smosh fan this show is great! Frearnie is definitely a highlight but Shane is hilarious so not suprising.

[roopa]

They've just told on their last stream that it will be biweekly if anyone's wondering

[Deadxskyx.]

They brought it up recently in one of their newer videos that it will be a bi weekly release per episode of sword af. Honestly I'm excited. Been a huge CR and D20 follower for awhile as well as Smosh content in general. So seeing both Smosh and DND collide is amazing.

[thefadingmelody]

I loved it! As someone completely new to the world of D&D (although I’m aware, I’m fairly unfamiliar) and I found many other commenters who were introduced and interested by Sword AF into the world of D&D, I think it has a lot of potential to bring in a new audience to the game!

[thestrokeofmidnight]

Honestly, it's good. I liked it, though it is a heavily cut down version of what we're used to, it makes it easier for new people to get into. I don't think it'll get bigger than CR or D20 though

[mutantsandmemes]

I'm just happy I can finally sit through a full episode of a D&D campaign. I've tried so hard to get into Critical Role, but 2 - 4+ hours are too long for me. So Smosh's series being just under an hour is absolutely perfect

[WardNightstone]

UPDATE Damian saw this video on his youtube feed his official response to the question is and i quote: "NO!"

[brs]

Damien recently mentioned on their Smoshcast podcast that he's been wanting to do a D&D campaign on Smosh Games for a long time, but a previous attempt didn't work out with BTS scheduling or something. After the success of their Board AF Legacy, I'm not surprised this got greenlit.

I've never played D&D before but I think that for it being most of the casts first time playing D&D, the first episode went well. Kind of a similar to the first episodes of BAF Legacy vs the middle episodes and end, I think that once they learn the rules and the flow of the game a little better, they will be able to fully combine that improv skill with strategy.

[Logan]

Wow, I'm extremely impressed! You summed up everything very well in such a short amount of time. Came to watch your interview with Damien and had to check out this 4 minute video first. Props 👍