Critical Role adds sneaky new spell from former D&D lead designer to Campaign 4

A spell that every good rogue dreams of

If there’s one thing Critters should know by now, it’s that the Critical Role cast loves to add homebrew elements to their Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Homebrew refers to content, usually rules, items, or settings, created by players or the Dungeon Master, and isn’t included in official Wizards of the Coast publications. Campaign 4 is no exception, with a brand-new spell revealed during the latest episode of Critical Role’s post-game talk show, Cooldown.

[Ed. note: This article contains light spoilers for Critical Role Campaign 4 episode 24 and the following Cooldown episode.]

After a whirlwind episode, the Schemers table briefly discussed their level-ups. While most of the players at the table are spellcasters, only Marisha Ray, who portrays the magnetic bursar of Dol-Makjar’s magical school, the Penteveral, teased fans by revealing the spells she chose when she advanced to 4th level as a wizard.

“I had good old Chris Perkins help me cook something up, it is a spell called Magical Bug, which is exactly what it sounds like,” Ray explained to her fellow cast at the table. Ray is referring to Christopher Perkins, the former creative director of Dungeons & Dragons, who last year left Wizards of the Coast to join Darrington Press alongside game director Jeremy Crawford.

According to Ray, the spell takes a minute to cast and allows a character to place an invisible rune on an object, enabling her to listen in on conversations within 30 ft. of the bug.

While it may not be a spell that proves useful in a combat situation, it’s still particularly handy for the Schemers. Unlike the other tables, the Schemers are enmeshed in the everyday life of the city of Dol-Makjar. Azune Nayar (Luis Carazo) serves as an Arcane Marshal in the Revolutionary Guard. Halandil Fang (Liam O'Brien) is a well-known figure in the city who owns and directs a theater. Murray (Ray) is the bursar of Dol-Makjar’s magical institution, the Penteveral. Bolaire Lathalia (Taliesin Jaffe) is the curator of the Archanade museum. Due to their positions, they mingle with the elite of the Sundered Houses — risking immediate danger if any of their plans or schemes are uncovered.

With Magical Bug, however, there is a chance that Murray can plant the rune in a place where she may overhear a discussion that could benefit not just the Schemers but also the other tables. Of course, it also carries its own share of risk, as many of the Sundered Houses are adept at magic too — meaning there is also a chance the rune could be discovered regardless of its invisibility. Say, if someone used Detect Magic.

This is far from the first piece of homebrew content included in Campaign 4. Matthew Mercer’s fighter/rogue Sir Julien Davinos has his own custom subclass, Daredevil. Like Ray, Mercer asked Perkins and Crawford for input to shape the subclass for his concept. Campaign 4 has also featured several different homebrew alterations on spells, as well as death and combat rules.

We still don’t know everything about Magical Bug, as Ray has yet to reveal its full capabilities. But given the shocking events revealed in Critical Role episode 24, “Good Tidings,” we wouldn’t be surprised if Ray uses it sooner rather than later.