History Main / RuleZero

* Dane from ''StatlessAndTactless'' agrees to give up rule zero in relation to a player to get him to bring a friend. It doesn't go well.

** This is prevalent in [[UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts]], still a very young sport that's trying to tweak rules as the years go by and fighters look to abuse looopholes in the Unified Rules, or clarify exactly what is legal/illegal. This is often left to the referee to make split second decisions during a fight based on their understanding of the rules:

Rule Zero is simply a reminder to the players that the Game Master has to exercise some common sense and is permitted to supersede the rules when the rules would ruin enjoyment and fair play. While a GameMaster has fiat to exercise Rule Zero at their table at will, they are reminded that excessive arbitrary use of this rule will eventually lead to an empty game table.

Can be worded very positively, as in "Rule Zero: [[NewWorldOfDarkness if an interpretation of a rule is more fun, do that]]" or very negatively, as in "Rule Zero: [[TemptingFate don't give the GM ideas]]." How the rule is expressed is usually a good clue to the GM as to how far he can push it.

--> Rule 1: The GameMaster is always right.
--> Rule 2: If the GameMaster is wrong, refer to rule 1.

Other authority figures can be substituted for "GameMaster."

* ''MutantsAndMasterminds'' is notable for having a game mechanic for rule zero called "gamemaster fiat." The gamemaster is permitted to arbitrarily create setbacks to keep his story on track (such as having a hero slip and fall if he's about to catch the bad guy long before the adventure says he should) but requires that the Gamemaster award the hero a hero point (which players can spend later on to perform impressive feats normally beyond their abilities.)

* ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'' is notable in that it's one of the few Tabletop Games in which arbitrary use of Rule Zero is ''encouraged''. The DM is allowed to fudge rolls, to let other plays fudge their rolls or fudge each other's rolls, and generally discard the rules as long as RuleOfFun is observed. The justifying reason for this caveat? Any player who tried to call the DM out on it would be acknowledging they have read the rules, which are [[MemeticMutation above their security clearance]]. [[note]]For reference, the rules are Ultraviolet-level, the top of the ladder, whereas most players are Red, just one rank above the bottom. Possessing knowledge above your security clearance is punishable by summary execution.[[/note]]
* B.A. From ComicStrip/KnightsOfTheDinnerTable averts this. He plays every rule for better or for worse. He eventually seized control of his game through the use of a GMPC and his control over non mechanical story elements (even in the PC's backstories.)
** To a degree, this is true of almost every [=GM=] in the ComicStrip/KnightsOfTheDinnerTable universe. A [=HackMaster=] [=GM=] is [[SeriousBusiness accredited by a national association]] before being allowed to run an "official" campaign. Years' worth of legal precedent have gone towards removing the concept of Rule Zero from accredited, tournament legal campaigns. After all, since tournaments usually involve opposing groups and characters competing against one another, it makes sense to ensure that they're all playing on the same page. This has evolved into the "Rules of Fair Play" doctrine, where ''all'' rules introduced into the campaign apply to both characters and [=NPCs=] without bias or discrimination, effectively removing a [=GM's=] judgment from the equation. This environment makes B.A., and other [=GMs=], extremely creative umpires who arbitrate how invoked rules play out within their games.

Rule 1: The GameMaster is always right.
Rule 2: If the GameMaster is wrong, refer to rule 1.

In an open ended tabletop RPG, game balance is sometimes hard to achieve and, with an unlimited number of choices available to the players, a GameBreaker is inevitable, especially if you have a RulesLawyer at your table. For this reason, most tabletop roleplaying games mention some version of Rule Zero: The GameMaster is always right.

In an open ended tabletop RPG, game balance is sometimes hard to achieve and, with an unlimited number of choices available to the players, a GameBreaker is inevitable, especially if you have a RulesLawyer at your table. For this reason, most games mention some version of Rule Zero: The GameMaster is always right.

Can be worded very positively, as in "Rule Zero: [[NewWorldOfDarkness if an interpretation of a rule is more fun, do that]]" or very negatively, as in "Rule Zero: [[RulesLawyer don't give the GM any ideas]]." How the rule is expressed is usually a good clue to the GM as to how far he can push it.

{{Railroading}} is an example of excessive (ab)use of Rule Zero.

* American Football has a few rules against "palpably unfair acts", which function as this (The NFL has Rule 12-3-3 for players and substitutes, and Rule 13-1-7 for non-players--see below for an example). They're not used very often, and when they are, it's usually an obvious case (such as a substitute running into the field from the sideline during a play and tackling the ball carrier), when the advantage gained by the offending team was so extreme that a lesser penalty would not be sufficient to mitigate it. It's even possible for the referees to declare the offending team to have forfeited.

* American Football has a few rules against "palpably unfair acts", which function as this (The NFL has Rule 12-3-3 for players and substitutes, and Rule 13-1-7 for non-players--see below for an example). They're not used very often, and when they are, it's usually an obvious case (such as a substitute running into the field from the sideline during a play and tackling the ball carrier).

* Rule Zero is used often in games played by Mr Welch of ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG to protect the game from his more creative excesses. Usually, there is no rule stating he can't do what he wants to do. In general TheLoonie is a {{Player Archetype|s}} that will often require the exercise of this rule to keep the game on track (though knowing when ''not'' to crush a Loonie's creativity with Rule Zero can be just as important).

* ''Panty Explosion Perfect'' averts this. Although the GM has effectively infinite power within their role, that role is 'very'' strictly defined and delimited. The GM can even have their own PC, with the only rule mod necessary to keep them from manipulating things in favor of their character being that someone else has to GM scenes where the GM's PC is the focus.

* In many sports, to prevent {{Rules Lawyer}}s from [[LoopholeAbuse abusing obscure loopholes]], there's always a rule about how the officials/umpires/referees are the ultimate authority on the rules.

* In many sports, to prevent RulesLawyers from [[LoopholeAbuse abusing obscure loopholes]], there's always a rule about how the officials/umpires/referees are the ultimate authority on the rules.

* Rule Zero is used often in games played by Mr Welch of ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG to protect the game from his more creative excesses. Usually, there is no rule stating he can't do what he wants to do. In general TheLoonie is a PlayerArchetype that will often require the exercise of this rule to keep the game on track (though knowing when ''not'' to crush a Loonie's creativity with Rule Zero can be just as important).

* Rule Zero is used often in games played by Mr Welch of ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG to protect the game from his more creative excesses. Usually, there is no rule stating he can't do what he wants to do. In general TheLoonie is a PlayerArchetype that will often require the exercise of this rule to keep the game on track (though knowing when not to use Rule Zero with a Loonie can be just as important).

Rule Zero is simply a reminder to the players that the Game Master has to exercise some common sense and is permitted to supersede the rules when the rules would ruin enjoyment and fair play. While a GameMaster has fiat to exercise RuleZero at their table at will, they are reminded that excessive arbitrary use of this rule will eventually lead to an empty game table.

** Weird Pete is the opposite extreme enforcing RuleZero through demerits that can result in level loss and can only be undone by working them off in his gameshop unpaid.

* RuleZero is used often in games played by Mr Welch of ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG to protect the game from his more creative excesses. Usually, there is no rule stating he can't do what he wants to do. In general TheLoonie is a PlayerArchetype that will often require the exercise of this rule to keep the game on track (though knowing when not to use Rule Zero with a Loonie can be just as important).

In an open ended tabletop RPG, game balance is sometimes hard to achieve and, with an unlimited number of choices available to the players, a GameBreaker is inevitable, especially if you have a RulesLawyer at your table. For this reason, most games mention some version of RuleZero: The GameMaster is always right.

Can be worded very positively, as in "Rule Zero: [[NewWorldOfDarkness if an interpretation of a rule is more fun, do that]]" or very negatively, as in "Rule Zero: [[RulesLawyer don't give the GM any ideas]]." How the rule is expressed is usually a good clue to the GM as to how far he can actually push it.

{{Railroading}} is an example of excessive (ab)use of RuleZero.

* RuleZero is used often in games played by Mr Welch of ThingsMrWelchIsNoLongerAllowedToDoInAnRPG to protect the game from his more creative excesses. Usually, there is no rule stating he can't do what he wants to do. In general TheLoonie is a PlayerArchetype that will often require the exercise of this rule to keep the game on track (though knowing when not to use Rule Zero with a Loonie can be just as important).

* Dane from StatlessAndTactless agrees to give up rule zero in relation to a player to get him to bring a friend. It doesn't go well.