Interrupting the BBEG to Start Combat

[Nail]

I generally like to avoid rolling initiative until the last possible moment before combat erupts. I find that when you ask for initiative as soon as the party encounters something they immediately assume it is something that must be attacked so the chances of a non-combat resolution are reduced.

Which means that you should ask for initiative more often, not less!

In my game, I occasionally ask for initiative at the start of an encounter, even if the PCs should NOT attack.

For example: "As you progress along the cave, you see movement behind a large rock. Whatever it is is hard to make out, but it's about 3 feet long and might be crawling on its belly. Roll initiative!"

What's actually going on: It's a badly wounded creature they've never met before that is generally friendly and peaceful. Handled well, it could become a powerful ally. Kill it, and the PCs become the enemy of an entire race of creatures.

My players have figured out "Roll Initiative!" doesn't mean "Kill it!" Yours should too.

 

[Seeten]

There are times when I cut off the BBEG because he's saying things I find offensive, and needs to die RIGHT NOW. There are times when the monologue is awesome, and needs to be listened to. If I am a Barbarian, and he is on a racist, all Northerners must be slaughtered kick, I'm interrupting and killing him RIGHT NOW.

If he's explaining how we defeat him, and his minions, James Bond style, I listen.

Take from that what you like.

 

[Phlebas]

Just have the BBEG ready an action to lightning bolt (or equiv) first person to interrupt monologue

drop it into background knowledge that the BBEG 'Hates' being interrupted and usually fries servants for less

When some one interrupts give them a +2 circumstance bonus on the intiative roll as compensation for being fried by the BBEG's first spell as they step forward

shouldn't take too long before they get the hang of listening quietly (or maybe subtly swigging potions if you allow everyone a standard action to make up for lack of surprise.....)

Thats all assuming the party dont get surprise - then they call the shots, any monologing has to be witty banter in between blows

 

[Umbran]

Then have everyone roll initiative. The interupting player receives NO benefit. None. Nada.

...unless they do something to earn such a benefit. I would think a well-done Bluff (feint) and/or Slight of Hand check might hide the character's actions or intentions from the BBEG. Certainly a Hide in Plain Sight is going to change matters...

 

[Nail]

I would think a well-done Bluff (feint) and/or Slight of Hand check might hide the character's actions or intentions from the BBEG.

"Interupting Player" does not equal "Player using Bluff skill".


BTW, how would a Slight of Hand check change initiative rolls or surprise rounds?

Slight of Hand might draw a weapon, which might save an action after combat begins. Or it might distract the BBEG, causing him to have a penalized Spot check, but other than that?

 

[IndyPendant]

A party of well-armed do-gooders burst into the BBEG's lair, most likely covered in the blood and gore of the BBEG's former minions.

And the BBEG is surprised when one of them attacks him?!?

In DND there's two states for the start of combat: surprised, and not. Surprised is defined as "When a combat starts, if you are not aware of your opponents and they are aware of you, you’re surprised." That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

So the BBEG, upset at how much damage they have already done, taunts them with the fact that their efforts were too little/too late, because blah, blah, blah. But one of the PCs doesn't want to hear it, and begins casting a spell/drawing a weapon/taking a bead with a bow/charging forward/etc.

Initiative. With no bonus to any PC, period.

(Note that this applies if the BBEG tries to 'end his monologue with a Power Word', as in Frank's example. So long as it works both ways, your players should not feel short-changed.)

 

[SteveC]

Hmmn, this seems to be a campaign style issue masquerading as a rules question. I think that if you want to run the kind of a game where the BBEG leads off combat with an eeeevil speech, you simply need to let the players know that's the kind of game you want to run. Similarly, if they want to defiantly spit in the guy's face or give him a taunt, well, there you go.

When all the posturing is over, it's time to roll for initiative, with no one gaining any real benefits. The most important point is that said BBEG shouldn't get to do any real actions with his speech as well, otherwise you're penalizing the players for being in genre for your game.

Ask your players how they'd like it the other way: the next time they're talking and wary of a fight, one of the bad guys just shoots them with his crossbow...without rolling initiative at all.

--Steve

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Which means that you should ask for initiative more often, not less!

In my game, I occasionally ask for initiative at the start of an encounter, even if the PCs should NOT attack.

For example: "As you progress along the cave, you see movement behind a large rock. Whatever it is is hard to make out, but it's about 3 feet long and might be crawling on its belly. Roll initiative!"

What's actually going on: It's a badly wounded creature they've never met before that is generally friendly and peaceful. Handled well, it could become a powerful ally. Kill it, and the PCs become the enemy of an entire race of creatures.

My players have figured out "Roll Initiative!" doesn't mean "Kill it!" Yours should too.

Thanks for that Nail. I think that is a a good suggestion. Once the PC's kill a couple of people/creatures that they shouldn't have they'll start thinking a little more that rolling for initiative doesn't mean "enter killing mode".

Olaf the Stout

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I think a lot of peoples hatred of the monologue is the actions that go along with it. Usually because flavor test involves actions happening that the PCs should in reality be able to respond to because they take more than 6 seconds to happen.

For Example...

You bust into the hidden crypt where the BBEG necromancer is waiting for you (and indeed has several defensive spells cast on himself because he knows you are coming). Necromancer delivers monologe about being dead for 1000s of years and how he is ready to lead his undead legions to the surface world now that you opened the door for him. With that a skeletal army rises up from the coffins and tombs around you and ready their weapons. Roll Initiative.

As a player I want an action BEFORE the skeletons wake up and get their weapons and shields readied.

DS

 

[Jeff Wilder]

As a player I want an action BEFORE the skeletons wake up and get their weapons and shields readied.

Yes, but that's not a cool visual.

In these situations, the writer is choosing the cool visual of the rising skeletons over the exactly game equivalent scenario of having the skeletons already risen by the time the PCs enter the room.

Honestly, if action movie characters acted like PCs continually want to in D&D, action movies would be incredibly short and boring.