Multiple attacks & initiative

[Davelozzi]

Okay, correct me if I'm wrong, but in the core rules, a character with multiple attacks takes them all at the same time during his initiative phase, right?

This seems a little silly to me, I was wondering how you guys played this...anyone have any house rulings?

 

[Crothian]

It's just easier to have them all at the same time. And yes, that's in the rules. Are you going to have everyone take one attack and then at the end of the round everyone takes what's left over? Each person take one attack until everyone is out of attacks? I've played with both these methods and neither works that well.

 

[graydoom]

Yes, this is the way it works. It isn't entirely realistic, but no part of the combat system is. If we worked the combat entirely realistically, we'd have to track it by every tenth of a second, because everything is really happening at once.
So no, I have no house rules for this, because it is not truly "fixable" unless you "fix" the whole combat system, which IMO does not need "fixing". It works well as it is, and the effort that would have to be invested to "fix" it would not be worth the (again, IMO) miniscule payoff.

 

[Davelozzi]

Actually, I was considering something along the lines of first action at the rolled initiative phase and each subsequent action say maybe 3 phases later or something like that (losing any actions that drop to a zero initiative or lower). I think this is more or less the way we handled it in Feng Shui at the EN boards Boston game at Piratecat's a few months ago and it seemed like a pretty viable fix (although as far as I know it's the real rule in FS, not a fix). But I haven't playtested it in D&D yet.

 

[Darklone]

Hihihihi

There it was again, the evil word: Realistic !

But this time ... RANTALERT:

D&D is not so bad. If an experienced fighter attacks with several hits... they come in a row. Not much time for the enemies to hit between. But he does not hit all the time. So a realistic combat usually consists of series of attacks. Sure, strikes could come between the hits, but that usually ends the attack. (Killed)

 

[Crothian]

Actually, I was considering something along the lines of first action at the rolled initiative phase and each subsequent action say maybe 3 phases later or something like that (losing any actions that drop to a zero initiative or lower).

That's harsh. Improved iniative is a must have if you use this. The idea of losing attacks just casue I roll a bad iniative is defistating. THis really hinders TWF. What good is spendfing the feats to attack more if it'sa gamble if you can. Or does everyone just sit around the first round a re focus their iniative?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

That`s just the way it works...

And shouldn`t being fast AND rolling well be an advantage?

And Improved Initiative isn`t a Must Have for everyone - If you just do not know what to do (and unexperienced and incompetent players may have this problem), you will be happy to wait for the others.

 

[Davelozzi]

Re: Hihihihi

There it was again, the evil word: Realistic !

I'm not out to make the whole game realistic I just think that it would be more fun to spread out attacks and was intererested to see if anyone had home rules for it.

And I agree with Mustrum, I see no problem with rolling fast being a bit of an advantage. Players who are really concerned can take the Improved Initiative feat, but why shouldn't they? That's why feats are there, to give you some little advantage. And I don't think everyone would take them. Most characters don't even get multiple attacks for several levels anyway.

 

[Crothian]

Re: Re: Hihihihi

And I agree with Mustrum, I see no problem with rolling fast being a bit of an advantage. Players who are really concerned can take the Improved Initiative feat, but why shouldn't they? That's why feats are there, to give you some little advantage. And I don't think everyone would take them. Most characters don't even get multiple attacks for several levels anyway.

So, they don't get multiple attacks for a while. That just means they won't be starting out with Improved Iniative. The Ranger will. Just cause a rule doesn't apply for at least 5 levels doesn't make it a good rule. Why take a gamble that you're going to lose an attack just for rolling bad?

How is Haste and Quicken Spell going to fit into this? Both those allow you more actions in a round, but in your rules when would they get their extra actions?

One problem will be the high level ranger. 11 level he can have 5 attacks. Unless he rolls a 13+ on iniative he loses out on at least one of his attacks (13, 10, 7, 4, 1). Will the cleave attacks amd whirlwind attacks also be like this? If I can't attack twice at the same iniative number how could I hope to attack 8 people surrounding me with a whirlwind attack at the sam iniaitve number?

Mostly, I'm being Devil's Advocate. It's an interesting rule and I'm just curious how you plan and handling these situations.

 

[Davelozzi]

Re: Re: Re: Hihihihi

Originally posted by Crothian So, they don't get multiple attacks for a while. That just means they won't be starting out with Improved Iniative. The Ranger will. Just cause a rule doesn't apply for at least 5 levels doesn't make it a good rule. Why take a gamble that you're going to lose an attack just for rolling bad?

Other games do it and it seems to work well. Besides that Feng Shui scenario with the other EN boarders, I've played a bit of Alternity, which uses a similar rule, and it never seemed to cause a problem.

Originally posted by Crothian
How is Haste and Quicken Spell going to fit into this? Both those allow you more actions in a round, but in your rules when would they get their extra actions?

Valid points. I'm not sure. While I've been reading 3e materials since they came out, I haven't had a chance to play yet so part of the reason why I was asking was to get feedback like this, see things that I might have missed and to find out if anyone else had tried similar things and hear how it worked for them.

Originally posted by Crothian Mostly, I'm being Devil's Advocate. It's an interesting rule and I'm just curious how you plan and handling these situations.

Me too. If I try it I'll keep you posted once it's seen some playtesting.