Spell Caster Initiative

[wolfen]

I am currently playing a 2nd level Sorceror.

It seems to me that one of the most advantageous situations for a Spellcaster is to be able to act before anyone else.

Do you think choosing Improved Initiative at 3rd level is a better-than-average pick?


wolfen

 

[kreynolds]

That or you can grab either Great Fortitude or Lightning Reflexes. Neither of those ever hurts.

 

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

It seems to me that one of the most advantageous situations for a Spellcaster is to be able to act before anyone else.

wolfen

I think its advantageous to act before the opponents, but not necesserally before your allies. You simply could tell your allies, before combat (I mean the tactic you have in place as a team could be) "please wait (ie delay/ready) your actions until I get my [favorite (area) spell] off".

But having improved initiative never hurt anyone...

TS

 

[kreynolds]

Re: Re: Spell Caster Initiative

I think its advantageous to act before the opponents, but not necesserally before your allies.

Then you haven't had the pleasure of adventuring with _my_ allies (back in 2e). Those idiots used to _love_ to get in my way. They would constantly nag me to prepare nothing but heavy hitting area spells, they'd get in my way in combat so that I couldn't safely cast any spells, then when the fight was over, they'd ridicule my poor character because he didn't do anything.

So he started lobbing spells regardless of their locations. I swear they made more saving throws against me than they did against the bad guys.

 

[James McMurray]

kreynolds: I love it! did they stop harassing you after that, or did they just change their complaints to "why do you keep hitting us?"

 

[kreynolds]

They pretty much left me alone after that. If I caught someone in a fireball, they'd just shake their heads after the fight was over. But they couldn't complain...I was really good at mopping the floor with the bad guys.

 

[Lord Thurham]

So even the "Hey Guys, my first spell in every encounter is going to be highly flamable, you don't want to be near it..." hasn't got any of them wiser?

Subtract 4 points of wisdom from all of your team-mates! hehehehh.

 

[MarauderX]

That or you can grab either Great Fortitude or Lightning Reflexes. Neither of those ever hurts.

Um, IMO those are a couple of feats that are on the bottom of the barrel.

Improved Initiative is certainly not among them, and might even consider it a must for certain PCs, like rogues or barbarians, that rely on acting first to get into position. Also, with improved evasion it won't matter if you lob some area spells in there vicinity as they will most likely avoid all damage. For a caster I would go with the spell improvement feats if you want, as well as some ranged feats like point blank shot so you can help out when you're out of spells or want to save them.

 

[bret]

I think that Improved Initiative is a good feat for anyone to take. There may be a a better feat, you didn't say much about your character, but Improved Initiative can certainly help.

If you GM is one who rolls Initiative every round (not recommended, BTW), then it is a fantastic feat.

If you told us a little bit more about your character (race, attributes, spells known) we could suggest other possiblities.

 

[kreynolds]

Um, IMO those are a couple of feats that are on the bottom of the barrel.

Personally, I don't consider an additional 10% chance at a successful saving throw to be at the bottom of the barrel, especially not when it comes to help out a poor save.