[poll] should initiative bonuses from seperate feats stack?

[kkoie]

the question is, should feats with initiative bonuses like Blooded, Thug, and Improved Initiative stack? My initial reaction is yes, because they are unnamed bonuses, yet, after further thought, I don't think that makes sense. For one thing, it makes for high init bonuses for characters. What do the rest of you think?

 

[Crothian]

Iniative is only used onece per battle, so after that first round it's not that big a deal. So having a super high bonus is nice, but not that great.

 

[AGGEMAM]

First, high initiative is nice but not all important really.

Second, only feats and upping your dexterity actually improves your initiative, why should they not stack?

 

[hong]

First, high initiative is nice but not all important really.

That's what I was thinking before, but after a few sessions of high-level play, I'm beginning to change my mind. At high levels, init can be really important to who wins the fight, because it's all over so quickly. If each side only needs a couple of rounds to kill the other side, then who gets in the first shot is a critical factor.

Second, only feats and upping your dexterity actually improves your initiative, why should they not stack?

Besides which, the bonuses provided are typically unnamed bonuses, so they would indeed stack.

 

[kkoie]

well I guess I'm the only one who thinks otherwise.

*hates being alone*

 

[Crothian]

well I guess I'm the only one who thinks otherwise.

Well, why do you think should not stack?

 

[the Jester]

It's so hard to find feats that increase your initiative- I haven't even seen Blooded or Thug, where are they from? What exactly do they do?

 

[Crothian]

It's so hard to find feats that increase your initiative- I haven't even seen Blooded or Thug, where are they from? What exactly do they do?

They are both from FRCS, each give +2 initiative and another bonus.

 

[the Jester]

They are both from FRCS, each give +2 initiative and another bonus.

Ah, FR, of course.

Well, if you're playing FR you're pretty much playing a high-powered game- exceptions are possible but are definitely the exception- and so you might as well let 'em stack.

I wouldn't allow them in my campaign, most likely, though I'd have to see the other benefits to make sure. I might go for a +1 initiative and another benefit, though. I do like the idea of feats that modify initiative as combat goes on- I have one that lets a pole arm wielder lower their initiative in exchange for a bonus to attack, and an enchantment spell that lowers the target's initiative each round as he vacillates about what to do.

 

[Darklone]

There are several other feats out there that provide another +4 (stacking) with Improved Initiative.

Even if you use houserules as rolling init every round of combat, IME it's not overpowered. After all, it costs several feats.