Season 1 · Episode 51
Rule of Cool: Is It a DM Crutch or a Creative Tool?
No Plot, Only Lore · Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen
May 9, 202533m 14sExplicit
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Show Notes
Josh and Kris clash over the "Rule of Cool" in TTRPGs. Josh argues it's a crutch for lazy problem-solving and a logistical nightmare for DMs, leading to player attention-seeking. Kris defends it as a necessary tool to reward player creativity, encourage "big swings," and increase narrative momentum—provided it's negotiated, reserved for unique moments, and tied to real consequences. They debate its history and the problem of canonizing "community stupidity."