RoC

Rule of Cool

In Rule of Cool sessions, a professional Game Master asks what you want to attempt, then finds a cinematic way to make it happen. Rules serve the moment. Expect quick rulings, fewer book lookups, and outcomes like a bonus, success with a twist, or a stylish stunt that reshapes the scene. Fights feel fluid with improvised terrain, chases, and set pieces. The focus is on pace, sharing the spotlight, and clear safety lines, so bold choices feel fair and spectacular.

Choose this style if you enjoy fast, story-first play, daring stunts, and big set pieces. Beginners feel welcomed, because creativity matters more than rule mastery. It shines in one-shots, birthdays, and team events where energy and momentum count. Action-forward genres like swashbuckling fantasy, pulp heists, space opera, and superheroes are a natural fit. If you want help picking a ruleset that supports this, browse our game systems.

Common questions

How does the Rule of Cool differ from the rules as written?

The GM prioritises thrilling outcomes over rigid procedures. Anticipate swift decisions and simplified rolls rather than sifting through edge cases. If your group prefers precise positioning, intricate modifiers, and a deep understanding of the rules, a more detailed style might be more suitable.

Is this style suitable for complete beginners or children?

Yes. New players don’t need to memorise mechanics to take part. The GM explains options in straightforward language, keeps turns flowing, and rewards daring ideas with clear results. For children, the GM can use simplified sheets, shorter sessions, and established boundaries.

Is it suitable for one-shots or team events?

Yes, it works particularly well in quick, contained sessions. The GM creates dynamic scenes and allows the group to approach them with inventive strategies, ensuring that teams with varying experience levels get involved immediately. It's straightforward to share the spotlight, which aligns well with team-building objectives. A compact 2 to 4 hour slot can still provide a complete story.

Which game systems are best suited to the Rule of Cool?

Rules-light or cinematic systems work particularly well, such as Fate, Savage Worlds, and many Powered by the Apocalypse games. It also adapts nicely to D&D 5E and other popular systems if you're comfortable with fewer optional subsystems at the table. If you're looking for ideas by genre or complexity, check out our game systems.

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Popular gaming systems

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What players have to say

  • Tom was brilliant! He was really great with the kids and very patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The children asked the next day when we would be doing this again.

    Danny

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did an excellent job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a significant portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't fully understand how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but see it as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his deep knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided a brilliant experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was really engaging. I got a game as a present for my boyfriend, who is very keen on it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was an excellent GM who adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided, as they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left the game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another session with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players fully immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A nice and clear first experience with D&D. Amber was able to explain and guide the game effectively, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack routes was an enjoyable activity and provided great insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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