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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 8368081" data-attributes="member: 20323">I see this as solving one problem (which isn't a universal problem but more individual table dependent), but inventing several others. There are a lot of side effects to this house rule that I would call negative side effects...<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">First Round Best Round...well, think about surprise...that's still the first round. Say goblins (passive initiative 12) surprise the party whose rogue has passive initiative 16. Now when cycling through initiative order during that first round in which everyone is surprised, the rogue will ALWAYS against goblins (and really most monsters in the MM, because players get more initiative boosts) have their turn come first. That means the rogue will always go before the goblins, which means that the "can't use reactions" element of being surprised will no longer apply to that rogue EVER in that situation, and so they are gaining an effective permanent benefit.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">First Round Best Round encourages prioritizing initiative & alpha striking tactics... beyond and above how those things are already encouraged.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">When dealing with a certain type of enemy repeatedly across multiple combats, First Round Best Round injects greater predictability... which means less chances for the initiative dice to support/encourage interesting situations or complicated situations.</li> </ul>If I were to play using this idea, I would alter it to be a Monster Initiative Score, so that yes players would still roll, but the monsters would have static scores. So you're cutting out half the problem (i.e. the DM's side) that causes slowing pre-combat that can interrupt the flow and immersion and excitement for some groups. I think that – coupled with a more intelligent approach to initiative ties – would accomplish much of what you're shooting for without causing all those negative side effects.</blockquote>

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