D&D 5E First Strike: Initiative in Next

[Frostmarrow]

There are a number of models:

• Characters move first
• Group initiative at start of combat
• Group initiative every round
• Individual initiative at start of combat
• Individual initiative every round
• Monsters move first
• Tracker with an action cost

What do you prefer? Any novel ideas? I'd like to hear them. No poll. I already know Individual initiative at start of combat is the most popular.

 

[Hassassin]

Group initiative is much simpler, as is rolling just once for an encounter.

I use 3e/PF with individual initiative to determine who gets to go before the monsters (one initiative roll) on the first round, but after them it's monsters, whole party, monsters...

This allows the party to act in concert without any sort of Delay actions. Slow players have more time to think about what they do. Many players can roll at the same time. All around faster, in my experience.

 

[Janaxstrus]

Either individual at start of combat or individual each round (with weapon speed modifiers )

 

[Tom Servo]

It's definitely not in the D&D tradition, but I very much enjoy the Savage Worlds initiative system. It's fast, easy to understand, and helps keep combat dynamic and unpredictable.

 

[Mattachine]

I did find group initiative much faster. I found it kept the players more focused.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

Group initiative, rerolled every round: http://www.enworld.org/forum/d-d-4th-edition-discussion/318031-side-side-initiative.html#post5857968.

I need at least one more trial, with 6 or 7 players, to be convinced that I've got it right for us. But the improvement in focus and speed is undeniable at our table.

It even had the unintential but welcome side effect of causing some interesting, dynamic team focused play. Because who went before the monsters or after (or in the middle) changed every round, the players moving in a given spot formed ad hoc teams to manage what was available right at that moment.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Group initiative, rerolled every round: http://www.enworld.org/forum/d-d-4th-edition-discussion/318031-side-side-initiative.html#post5857968.

I need at least one more trial, with 6 or 7 players, to be convinced that I've got it right for us. But the improvement in focus and speed is undeniable at our table.

It even had the unintential but welcome side effect of causing some interesting, dynamic team focused play. Because who went before the monsters or after (or in the middle) changed every round, the players moving in a given spot formed ad hoc teams to manage what was available right at that moment.

Nice and easily implemented to boot. If I remember I'll try it in my d20 Nyarlathotep game next time.

 

[dkyle]

I think 4E's initiative is pretty much perfect for a D&D-style game. Group initiative at start of combat is OK, too. I find that over the course of battle, players tend to end up drifting towards each other anyway through delays and readies.

I strongly dislike group initiative rolled each round, especially when it's a flat roll. A whole side going twice in a row is a huge advantage that I don't like a flat roll granting, and modifiers on group initiative are kind of wonky.

My favorite initiative system is from Godlike, but I don't think it would work in a game that's recognizably "D&D". Essentially, individual initiative at start of combat, and each round, actions are declared in order from worst to best initiative. Then actions actually resolve according to the dice rolled on those actions (which provides a timing component). The system overall is fairly simple, so the complicated initiative doesn't result in excessive combat lengths, and a lot of the interesting decisions and outcomes arise from timing.

 

[LostSoul]

I don't even use an initiative system: you say what you're trying to do in the round and either you do it or not.

I think B/X had a pretty good system, probably my favourite.

 

[Odhanan]

Individual initiative is more rewarding in a way, because you get more permutations of order, delayed actions, thus tactical choices, but all in all, I have to agree that group initiative is much faster, and IME, the tactical choices just shift in place and focus, rather than being hugely underwhelmed by this alternative.

Given a choice, and in keeping with the abstract nature of D&D combat, I think I'd end up going for group initiative.