Example of "Cool" for initiative

By GM Stark, in Game Masters

In the adventure for the "Star Wars The Force Awakens Beginner Game" there are several actions that can be taken to prepare for the bandits' attack. One of those options is "Stand confidently in the center of the hallway, ready to take on the first bandit to enter. (Cool)

I love this image! It also reminded me of the "He shot my hair" scene in Spaceballs.

Granted, the battle was already underway with Lonestar fighting the Spaceballs first. Mechanically, I would see this scene as a continuing combat, where Lonestar hands off the rifle as a new wave of minions arrive. Vespa rolls Cool to add a new PC initiative slot, winning the first slot, which she takes for herself. In game terms, she acts first, even though blaster bolts are flying all around her. The Spaceballs come in with guns blazing, but are not doing anything effectively until their turn in the initiative. (which never comes, too bad for them.) Although it seems that Vespa isn't reacting quickly, she is the first of combatants, this round, to compose themselves and take a meaningful action.