Rolling for Initiative

RigaMortus2 · May 25, 2008

With respect to 4E. Hopefully someone that has seen the PHB or DMG might be able to chime in here...

When you have 5 PCs that run into a pack of 5 gnolls, and the DM calls for init, how does 4E handle it? Each player rolls their own init, but does the DM roll 1 init for the group of gnolls, or do they roll once per gnoll?

I am just curious if the core books spell out a specific method for rolling init for the DM/enemies.

Xeviat · May 25, 2008

For years, I've been having monsters go on initiative count 10+their initiative. It saves me rolling and it makes things less random on my end. Officially, it seems like you're supposed to roll for each creature, based on an encounter in "Keep on the Shadowfell" (a group of kobolds attack, and the lead kobolds delay so they go after the minions).

Oompa · May 25, 2008

Everyone involved in the encounter rolls
initiative (roll a d20 and add your initiative modifier, as
shown on your character sheet). This determines the order
ofbattle for the entire encounter.

As per quick start rules of KoTS

Mort_Q · May 25, 2008

Xeviat said:
For years, I've been having monsters go on initiative count 10+their initiative.

That's so bloody obvious... how come I never thought of it!? Yoink.

tombowings · May 25, 2008

Xeviat said:
For years, I've been having monsters go on initiative count 10+their initiative.

I'm stealing this. Thanks. *runs*

Stalker0 · May 25, 2008

Mort_Q said:
That's so bloody obvious... how come I never thought of it!? Yoink.

Yeah, I may try that myself since in 4e there's a lot more initiative to roll. It works with the whole party roll vs a static number thing they do a lot of in 4e, and I can always have the high init guys delay for the lower int guys if I want to set it that way.

The only other factor to consider is with the variance of 5 pcs rolling initiative, at least 1 PCs will almost always go before your monsters. But your less likely to lots of pcs go before your monsters unless your party is just freaky fast.

Cheesepie · May 25, 2008

Personally, how I'm going to play it is I'm going to roll initiative for each monster, but only roll once for a group of minions.

Aria Silverhands · May 25, 2008

In 3e I rolled group initiative for like-type monsters. So an encounter with a kobold shaman, three kobold warriors and three kobold slingers would have three rolls for the npc's.

chaotix42 · May 25, 2008

Awwww, roll for each monster! It's too easy for mobs to group up and gang bang a PC if they all go at once IMO.

Stalker0 · May 25, 2008

chaotix42 said:
Awwww, roll for each monster! It's too easy for mobs to group up and gang bang a PC if they all go at once IMO.

they could always delay and then go together, so why not just have them go at once and save yourself some headache.

Rolling for Initiative

RigaMortus2

First Post

Xeviat

Dungeon Mistress, she/her

Oompa

First Post

Mort_Q

First Post

tombowings

Explorer

Stalker0

Legend

Cheesepie

First Post

Aria Silverhands

First Post

chaotix42

First Post

Stalker0

Legend

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