Brazen Wolfe Tabletop

A Different Initiative

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So before we get too deep in let me explain he issue I have with Initiative. You can run it how ever you want but the issues still remain. The setup can take too long, horde based encounters either feel overwhelming or underwhelming – rarely an in between and the only way that bosses feel challenging is making them legendary creatures (having legendary actions) and setting the initiative to where you want them to be.

I’ve been asking players to roll initiative for a long time but it doesn’t seem to improve with the new additions of D&D and other games seem to have different, maybe better systems. So that’s the purpose of tonight – a few different ways to run it.

Pack of Cards

Every person draws a card, including the DM and the lowest number goes first. A player wins ties and Ace counts as 1. Each turn the party pick out a new card and we re-establish initiative during the event – this makes it a bit more interesting and dynamic as the fight can take un expected turns – however it can nearly guarantee that the readied actions will have a chance of being wasted.

For the Tank or front-line characters it means they can go and establish that line early – which is part of their job IF they draw well enough and for characters who have really specialised in initiative (or who depend on it) – they get either a re-draw or get to trade their card with another (including the DM.)

The DM can have either one card or more but it depends on the situation. It could be that when a player goes after them goes an enemy to create a back and forth flow to the game that may feel better.

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OR

The other use is assign a Suite-Face card to each player and take them, shuffle them in with other cards that represent one or more creatures. Place them face down and when its time for combat flip over the top card and then turn over the first card to determine who is next to act. This can be useful as it varies initiative each turn. For players who have bonuses for Initiative (class feature or a feat) they can add a second card that represents their bonus to initiative.

Player to the left

Simple system really. The player to the left of the DM goes first and then they pass it to their left. The DM has NPCs and monsters/creatures activate when it gets back to them – they are the start of the round. IF the party is surprise then the DM acts immediately then goes at the end of everyone else’s turn.

However this creates a scenario where the DM, Me, will still run out of creatures and a well placed fireball will just obliterate the encounter you had planned.

Dex Score

Just order initiative based on Dex Score. Those who are fast will go first and those who have lower dexterity scores will go last. Means less dice rolling and trying to pencil in where people go so it can speed it up. But this may begin to feel stagnant and wont address some of the issues I have.

Action economy

Give actions a weight.

Movement goes first – same as reactions – they break the order and happen fluidly – but must be declared early. Like on a card, or note. It relies on the intent behind the action. “I intend to run over to the log, crouch behind it (sliding really cool like though) and then firing from my light crossbow at the orc watchmen.” – The DM can then understand the intent of the table and then interject the actions of the hostiles.

Ranged Attacking may weigh more than movement but less than a melee attack so it goes next followed by melee attacks and lastly by Magic. As spells require materials, somatic and verbal components (most of the time two of the list) they take longer. Cantrips though may just be as counted as a ranged attack.

This puts more emphasis on the narrative of battle rather than effort of keeping track of initiative.

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