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General Tabletop Discussion
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Why all the hype about initiative?
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<blockquote data-quote="Tony Vargas" data-source="post: 4392019" data-attributes="member: 996"><p>It's not as critical as it was in 3e, when who aced the big bad guy (and whether the BBEG got to do /anything/) often came down to initiative, but it's still helpful to go first, if only becuase, ceteris paribus, you end the fight a round early. It's particularly good for some classes, though. Rogues, because they still essentially catch enemies 'flat footed,' Wizards, because they have so many area spells that target 'creatures' rather than 'enemies,' and Rangers & Warlocks to get in 'Prime Shots' and designate desireable curse & hunter's quarry victims early on. Leaders and defenders can often afford to be more reactive. </p><p></p><p>Initiative, like everything else, adds half your level, so it's not surprising that monster initiatives can get pretty high. In addition to DEX, either quickdraw or improved initiative can give you a bonus (a feat bonus), and the Warlord grants all his allies a stacking +2 bonus to initiative (at Paragon, a feat can boost it higher).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Tony Vargas, post: 4392019, member: 996"] It's not as critical as it was in 3e, when who aced the big bad guy (and whether the BBEG got to do /anything/) often came down to initiative, but it's still helpful to go first, if only becuase, ceteris paribus, you end the fight a round early. It's particularly good for some classes, though. Rogues, because they still essentially catch enemies 'flat footed,' Wizards, because they have so many area spells that target 'creatures' rather than 'enemies,' and Rangers & Warlocks to get in 'Prime Shots' and designate desireable curse & hunter's quarry victims early on. Leaders and defenders can often afford to be more reactive. Initiative, like everything else, adds half your level, so it's not surprising that monster initiatives can get pretty high. In addition to DEX, either quickdraw or improved initiative can give you a bonus (a feat bonus), and the Warlord grants all his allies a stacking +2 bonus to initiative (at Paragon, a feat can boost it higher). [/QUOTE]
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Why all the hype about initiative?
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