Sam Riegel Introduces Wicander Halovar on Critical Role

Critters will agree that Critical Role Campaign 4 has been a lesson in heartbreak. From the first episode opening with a funeral to recurring themes of the cost of revolution and sacrifice and the premise that any character can die, each episode offers an emotional rollercoaster.

The cast has met every challenge from Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan head-on. That clarity arrived in Campaign 4 episode 37, “Death to Tyrants,” featuring one of the tensest moments in Critical Role history and proving why Sam Riegel remains a memorable player at the table.

Note: This article contains spoilers for Campaign 4, episode 37, “Death to Tyrants.”

Sam Riegel is one of the strongest D&D players in Critical Role

Episode 37 picks up at the Schemers’ table. Wicander Halovar (Sam Riegel) is attacked by assassins during a rendition of Halandil Fang’s (Liam O’Brien) play Ko’therai. Wicander, accompanied by his father Goddard, his mother Iris, and his brother Lioran, was supposed to denounce Hal publicly when the play ended. Although the Halovar family is a nefarious force in Dol-Makjar, Wicander is one of the good guys, even if his family remains unaware of this fact.

Shortly after the play begins, assassins sent by his grandmother, the Photarch of the Candescent Creed Yanessa Halovar, attack Wicander. Other Schemers at the table, including Hal, Murray Mag’nesson (Marisha Ray), Azune Nayar (Luis Carazo), and Tyranny (Whitney Moore), rush to save their friend. Tyranny starts the furthest away after previously meeting demon proprietor Tsul’rekshi to secure help in reaching the Pit.

The ruthless battle lasts four rounds. Wicander fights to survive while assassins, including his sister Zebani Halovar, try to end the scion of the Halovar household.

The rest of the Schemers deploy health potions and healing spells. Through the chaos, Riegel makes decisions as his character rather than as a player trying to save a character, bringing a refreshing approach to a game that often encourages metatextual play.

During the episode, Wicander’s mother, Iris, throws herself on her son and casts Warding Bond. This spell grants a target a +1 bonus to Armor Class and resistance to all damage, while the caster takes matching damage. Knowing Iris likely has low health, Riegel asks whether Wicander knows the spell requires a willing creature. After failing an Arcana roll to determine that, he lets it happen.

Despite help from friends and family, the assassins succeed. Wicander drops to zero hit points, and an assassin lands an automatic critical hit for a downed target, reducing him to two death-saving throws. Riegel fails his final death-saving throw by rolling a 5, leaving viewers wondering if another player character is leaving Campaign 4.

Mulligan offers one last chance to reroll the death-saving throw with disadvantage on any failure or use the last of Wicander’s strength to free Tyranny from her contract with his family. Riegel intends to sacrifice himself for Tyranny, but following the urging of fellow players O’Brien and Ray, he takes the chance.

Riegel goes down again shortly after. Mulligan offers a final choice: keep rolling death-saving throws or save Tyranny. If Wicander dies without releasing Tyranny from her contract, House Halovar can force her to obey them. Strategically, rolling death-saving throws to recover and escape combat is the safer choice. Riegel chooses to take two death-saving failures to save Tyranny instead.

Riegel’s gamble succeeds despite a high chance of death. His nail-biting daring highlights why he is a phenomenal Dungeons & Dragons player.

In tense moments where players instinctively rely on metatextual knowledge to keep characters alive, Riegel separates player knowledge from roleplay. The result is a memorable episode from start to finish.

Source: Polygon