5 Second Rule

Recommended: 3-6 players; age 5+

Materials: Three 6-sided dice per player, something to write one, and something to write with. Optional: A printout of the character sheet.

About: Can you and your group work together well enough to make the most of your limited powers? A Diversified superhero TTRPG.

You are participating in a new study by L&G Inc. Though the compensation isn’t very good, they could be the key to your dream of having superpowers. After weeks of pokes and prods, and far more mental and physical tests than should be legal, you are one of the few whose power awakens! The catch? 

You're stuck in this facility with a few powered individuals until you learn how to work together as a team of superheroes. Oh yeah, and everyone's power- including yours- is limited by 5 seconds in some way.

So why go through all this?

Because someone mentioned there would be a portal at the end of this training that could take your group anywhere, anytime. And did you catch the part about being a superhero?

5 Second Rule is a superhero game that uses the Diversified system. It includes a Power Pool to encourage a balance between how often superhuman powers are used vs potential consequences. Will you and your teammates be able to learn the boundaries of your powers and how to work together well enough to get through the training facility? What awaits you once you do?

There is now a module for 5 Second Rule by Mitchell Daily, called Wild Tide! It's a well-written ton of fun meant to take place right after training, and can be built upon for further adventures.

Steph C. of TTRPGkids recently wrote this incredible review for 5 Second Rule in Tiny Tome. "5 Second Rule was a lot of fun, easy to track, and encouraged a lot of teamwork and creative problem solving!  It’s a great game for adults or kids to pick up quickly, and I hope you can check it out!"

Originally created for One Page RPG Jam 2021, character sheets have been added for easier use and a more accessible version is now included using size 14 Lexend font and more spacing for easier reading.