This ongoing comedy actual play series sets Dungeons & Dragons at a modern fantasy high school.

Dimension 20 Presents: Fantasy High

The Glass Cannon Network travels to the dark world of Duskwall, where criminal scoundrels pull daring heists in a world without a sun.

Haunted City | Blades in the Dark

Celebrity Dungeon Master Matt Mercer gives his best tips for using (and avoiding misuing) the ever-popular Rule of Cool.

How to Use the Rule of Cool with Matt Mercer

The rule of cool says that actions taken in a game which are cool or creative enough can supersede the written rules of the game. While the "coolness threshold" is typically the purview of the Game Master, in some cases the table as a whole can decide to ignore the rules and let a fun idea fly. 

Many games are written with rules that can sometimes feel restrictive, or that they police ideas that could be fun to prevent them from being abused. Many tables choose to selectively ignore these rules when it would allow for an especially memorable moment at the table.

Movies and TV shows are full of "rule of cool"-style logic, especially when it comes to things like fight scenes, action sequences, and superpowers. We readily suspend our disbelief to ignore the laws of physics, the durability of the human body, and the efficacy of spinning and flipping in a fight because these scenes are much cooler if we do.

It's similar in roleplaying games; maybe there are no rules for suplexing your opponent off a cliff, or summoning a whale 100 feet above a ballroom full of villains, or treating a human being as an "open container", but at a certain moment, suspending the rules to allow a creative interpretation that makes the game more fun for everyone.

What are some example of the rule of cool?

Like many things in TTRPGs, it's a matter of personal preference. Generally, the rule of cool should be used with discretion, as overuse tends to diminish the "coolness" factor. It's also important to ensure everyone at the table is enthusiastic about the rule of cool, as some players don't prefer to selectively ignore rules.

Usually, it's the Game Master, but a good GM will ensure that everyone at the table likes ideas that trigger the rule of cool, and doesn't use it to play favorites or force outcomes.

Rule of Cool (RoC)

“Rule of Cool” emphasizes creative story beats over sticking to a system’s rules as written. Players have the ability to push the limits of the rules or even break core rule mechanics at times if the Game Master thinks it is interesting, fun, or cool enough.

Browse Rule of Cool TTRPGs Explore one-shots, campaigns, and homebrew adventures run by expert GMs across Roll20, Foundry VTT, Discord & more. Find your perfect game on StartPlayingGames!

Rule of Cool (RoC)

Frequently asked questions about Rule of Cool (RoC) games

What is the "rule of cool"?

Why is the rule of cool popular?

What are some example of the rule of cool?

When should I use the rule of cool?

Who decides what qualifies as cool?

Rule of Cool (RoC) Reviews and Actual Plays

Dimension 20 Presents: Fantasy High

Haunted City | Blades in the Dark

How to Use the Rule of Cool with Matt Mercer

Find a Rule of Cool (RoC) group and Start Playing today!