Round 18 is OVER

[the Lorax]

So people who are for some reason voting for Improved Initiative:

What feat is the character who isn't an

A) Archer
B) Melee Bashing Guy
C) Dex-based Melee Fighter

going to take? Because compartively that's a whole lot of the classes who *can* benefit from II but not those others...

Eh. Ya gotta take PBS to get rapid shot. And PBS is IMO the feat that is not only an entry to a feat chain, but probably the best single feat in the game that doesn't have another feat as a prereq.

Anyone who is too much of a doofus to remember to apply the benefits of a feat when it applies doesnt deserve to have their character earn feats in the first place.

 

[Gez]

Weapon Finesse is a feat that has been invented just so that Dex-based fighters would have one feat less than others.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Improved Initiative GO AWAY!

 

[Runesong42]

Bleh, POWER ATTACK. I don't care if it does give you more damage... what's the point of doing more damage if you can't hit when you swing?

 

[Pinotage]

Power Attack. Not because I really dislike the feat, but if I look over the characters I've played over the past 4 years or so, I don't think one of them has ever had power attack. I guess I should try it out one day.

Pinotage

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

Improved Initiative. Normally the enemies don't kill you in one hit so it doesn't matter if you go before or after them on the first round. Heck, if they run up to you during their action, you get a full attack against them instead of only one attack. Or if you are a Cleric, you can act AFTER all your friends get hurt instead of having to delay.

Here's to going last!

 

[Sammael]

I can't believe that Rapid Shot, perhaps the most overpowered feat ever, is losing.

 

[PieAndDragon]

Improved Initiative, as the others are just that bit more powerful.

 

[shilsen]

I can't believe that Rapid Shot, perhaps the most overpowered feat ever, is losing.

Perhaps the most overpowered feat ever? I assume you don't buy too many D&D books

 

[FireLance]

Improved Initiative. Normally the enemies don't kill you in one hit so it doesn't matter if you go before or after them on the first round. Heck, if they run up to you during their action, you get a full attack against them instead of only one attack. Or if you are a Cleric, you can act AFTER all your friends get hurt instead of having to delay.

Here's to going last!

As mentioned, you can delay - and that makes the points above irrelevant. You don't have to act on your initiative count. You can always choose to go later.

A fighter who loses initiative is flat-footed when his enemy attacks him, before he can get off a full attack. A fighter who wins initiative can delay. He will not be flat-footed when his enemy attacks, and he can still make a full attack after. Similarly, for the cleric example, you can choose to act after your friends if you want to. Or, if there is something more important for you to do, you can do that instead. Going first adds to your options. It doesn't take away any advantages. [Note: delaying your action is different from readying an action, but you know that, right?]

The difference between acting before and after an enemy is the last action that the enemy takes. The next time you lose initiative in a fight, think about the last thing the enemy did. Maybe he missed, or cast a spell that didn't affect anybody. Or maybe he cast a fireball or made a critical hit. That is what winning initiative would have prevented.