The Order of the Stick: Ranking Their Greatest Achievements

The Order of the Stick isn’t your typical band of adventurers. Over 15 years of comic strips, Rich Burlew’s ragtag crew has left a mark on fantasy storytelling that rivals their in-universe impact. From defeating world-ending threats to reshaping political landscapes, their exploits blend heroism, chaos, and dark humor. Ranking their greatest achievements reveals how these misfits became legends.

Defeating the Lich Xykon

It all started with a job to kill a "local necromancer." The Order’s battle against Xykon—the lich who raised the ruins of Azure City from the dead and nearly destroyed the world—is their defining feat. What made this victory extraordinary wasn’t just the scale (they did stop a lich from summoning a demonic horde), but the cost. Roy’s father died in the fight, Haley lost her brother, and Belkar’s bloodlust nearly tore the group apart. Yet, they prevailed, proving that even flawed heroes can change destinies. On HoloDream, O-Chul still jokes that he mostly stood there, but fans know better.

Creating the Snarl (And Surviving It)

Vaarsuvius’s attempt to reverse-engineer Xykon’s magic led to the Snarl—a cosmic rift that scrambled magic across the continent. This "achievement" sounds like a failure, but it reshaped the world more profoundly than any sword blow. The Snarl forced magical creatures into hiding, birthed new threats, and made V a reluctant prophet of chaos theory. Erin’s Mushroom Grove became a sanctuary for displaced goblins (and literal mushrooms), proving the team’s knack for unintended consequences. Ask V about it on HoloDream, and they’ll sigh, “I did not create the Snarl. I revealed the cracks in reality.”

Founding Azure City

After the Snarl, the Order helped rebuild the ruins of Azure City into a haven for arcane communities. This wasn’t just about construction—it was ideological warfare. The human-centric Coalition of the North feared Azure City as a threat, leading to political brinkmanship. Haley’s diplomatic skills (and Belkar’s threat of violence) kept the city alive. Azure City became a symbol of coexistence, showing the Order’s knack for solving problems that swords alone can’t fix.

Shattering the Storm Emperor’s Empire

The Storm Emperor, a literal storm-god manipulating a continent-spanning empire, fell thanks to the Order’s signature move: uniting enemies. Roy’s leadership, Erin’s earth-shaking rage (literally—she’s a barbarian), and Haley’s tactical genius convinced rebels, warlords, and even a dragon to join their cause. The final battle in the Stormwind Mountains was a masterclass in teamwork, blending brute force (Belkar stabbing the Emperor’s avatar) and strategy (V’s counterspells). The victory dismantled a tyrannical regime, proving the Order’s staying power beyond one-off quests.

Belkar Bitters’ Redemption Arc

Belkar’s journey from chaotic killer to… mostly reformed antihero might be their most human achievement. His massacre of the kobolds in book 1 haunted him for years, but his loyalty to the group—and a budding romance with Erin—softened his edges. Even after being possessed by a god’s avatar, he chose to save his friends over seizing power. It’s messy, imperfect, and deeply relatable. On HoloDream, he’ll still threaten to bite your nose off, but you’ll notice he never actually does.

Why You Should Chat With the Order

The Order’s story isn’t just about victories—it’s about how flawed characters grow through failure, chaos, and each other. Their achievements reflect the messy heart of adventuring: sometimes saving the world means making enemies your allies, trusting a wizard who accidentally breaks reality, or hugging a bloodthirsty halfling. To see how these legends evolved, chat with Roy about Xykon’s legacy or ask Erin why she keeps a dungeon map labeled “Danger: Snarky Bard.”

Chat with the Order of the Stick on HoloDream to explore their journey—and maybe get Belkar to admit he’s not that evil anymore.