The Only Worthwhile Cutscene
Cutscenes are for video games. In D&D, they almost always get in the way. With one exception: the after-credit scene.
When we narrate a scene in which the characters are not present, we’re putting story over play. We’re turning our players into an audience instead of participants. If players can’t act in or respond to a scene, we’re better off just narrating the outcome briefly (e.g. “you travel safely for three days and reach the city”).
Except, there is one kind of cutscene that does belong in our games: the after-credit scene.
Borrowed from cinema (and made famous by the Marvel Cinematic Universe), the after-credit scene is a short, often ominous or mysterious moment that hints at things to come. The heroes don’t witness it. It’s not there to give them information. It’s there to raise the stakes for the players.
What Makes an After-Credit Scene Work?
An after-credit scene creates an imbalance of knowledge. The players know something their characters do not. That disconnect is part of the fun. The table gets to gasp or groan together, knowing what doom might be looming. And it gives us DMs a powerful tool to build suspense and shape long-term campaign arcs.
But timing and tone are everything. These scenes work best when they are brief, punchy, and dramatic. No exposition dump, no ten-minute villain monologue. Just a glimpse behind the curtain.
Great Moments for an After-Credit Scene
Here are a few examples of after-credit scenes:
- As the characters cross the threshold into Barovia, we cut to Strahd watching from his balcony, glass of wine in hand.
- Princess Serissa of the storm giants uses her underwater scrying chamber to scry on the adventurers’ progress.
- A dragon stirs in its hoard, eyes opening to the scent of intruders.
- Deep in the caverns, a writhing, slumbering mass pulses with alien hunger.
- Nazznar the Black Spider examines a map of Wave Echo Cave. He mutters, “They’re getting close.”
- A rival faction sets out, unknowingly on a collision course with the characters.
Each of these scenes is less than a minute of narration. No character actions, no dice rolls, just a slice of drama to let players know: the world is moving, with or without them.
When Not to Use One
If you want the players to act on the information, then it’s not an after-credit scene. It’s useful information. And useful information belongs in the hands of the characters. Let them overhear a conversation. Let them find the journal page. Make it playable.
And don’t overuse them. If we throw an after-credit scene in after every session, it won’t add to the drama after a while. Keep it rare. Use it when the stakes change, or when a new act in the campaign begins.
Create Drama with After-Credit Scenes
Used sparingly, the after-credit scene is a powerful storytelling device that keeps players leaning forward in their chairs. It’s not a moment for the characters. It’s a moment for the table. A little cinematic indulgence that lets the players know: something bigger is coming.
