Rick and Morty has returned with season four, and with it has come a bunch of corporate tie-ins. One of the latest is a Dungeons & Dragons game based on a comic book crossover series about Rick’s adventures as a power-hungry Dungeon Master. It may not be the best D&D game out there, but for DMs eager to have someone encourage their worst, most-destructive instincts…welcome to your fantasy.
Dungeons & Dragons vs. Rick and Morty is the latest officially licensed D&D game from Wizards of the Coast (the previous being Stranger Things). Created by Kate Welch, a WotC game designer and Rick and Morty fan, the game has been made with new players in mind, as well as experienced players looking to take a break and try something intentionally ridiculous. It comes with Rick’s custom dungeon adventure, pre-made character sheets based on avatars from the comic book, and a rule book sprinkled with notes and “corrections” from Rick Sanchez himself. Plus some dice, obviously.
I’ve had the opportunity to play Dungeons & Dragons vs. Rick and Morty twice: The first time at a playtest event, with Welch serving as the DM, and the second DMing a session at home with a few of my friends. I will also preface this by stating I know very little about Rick and Morty. Yes, there’s a pickle, and yeah there was a whole thing about McDonald’s sauce packets. But that’s about it. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the show just fine, but I’ve only seen a small handful of episodes.
Luckily, you don’t need to be an expert in the show to play the game”it’s funny enough on its own. (Though you might miss out on some of the jokes. There were a few times I felt out of the loop, including as the DM.) I don’t want to give any of the story away, as that would diminish its impact for players; suffice to say it’s not designed to be taken seriously.
It’s a way for folks to let go and get funky with it, in a style akin to comes out November 19.