Dungeons & Dragons is all about creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. So many Dungeon Masters (DMs) have homebrew rules they throw into the mix, but which is the best? Fair warning: if you use any of these, you’re in for either a great time or absolute chaos. Play at your own risk.
Homebrew rules come in a range of forms. Some are slightly cruel, like the secret death-saving throws that prevent other players from knowing the dying PCs status. Others seem like basic parts of world-building — requiring characters to have in-world attachments. Both add tension.
If you’re a fan of Critical Role, you’ll know Matt Mercer has a number of homebrew rules that just make more sense mechanically like taking a potion being a bonus action instead of an action. Brennan Lee Mulligan of Dimension 20 has the popular Rule of Emphasis. Rolling two d20s, the player takes the result furthest from 10 — for better or worse.
But the best homebrew rule that many use but never name? The Rule of Cool.
Source: Dropout
Aabria Iyengar is a master of this, knowing when to play to the rules and when to let them fly. Any DM who takes up the rule of cool risks absolute chaos, but once they understand how to put it into play, their players will beg them for more.
Do you agree? Is there a homebrew rule you think is underrated? Have I left out a DM that you think has a rule we need to explore? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Eli Celata
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