Team Initiative?

[hrafnagud]

Hey there. In our most recent session (3e), the five characters were preparing to barge into a room through a closed door. There was no immediate threat to us, so we had all the time in the world to plan our entry. We settled on stacking up in the hallway like SWAT performing room-clearing exercises. Trouble is, any plan we developed depended on the characters acting in a specific order. Warriors in first, sweeping right and left, wizard with AoE spells clearing the center, etc. Naturally, the whole plan goes down the drain when the wizard scores the highest initiative and has to pass or is so much higher than the next party member that dropping down (limit is 10, yes?) is impossible.

Essentially, we're looking for some sort of team initiative wherein the party, when given the chance to prepare, acts as a unit either simultaneously or in a pre-determined sequence. Seems like it should be possible, but I'll be damned if I know how to make it work. Any suggestions?

 

[Ranes]

Technically, you shouldn't be rolling initiative outside of combat. It's when the critters beyond the door become aware of the incoming party that everyone rolls for initiative.

Of course, if the party is aware that adversaries lurk beyond the door and if said adversaries are unaware of the party's presence, the party can enjoy a surprise round, which comprises one standard action, before initiative is rolled.

As I understand it, in 3.5 there is no limit to how long a character can delay an action, so that addresses the wizard's crazy initiative problem. If you're playing 3.0, it might be worth asking the DM to make this rule change. It makes delaying the best way to have everyone act in sequence during combat.

 

[werk]

As I understand it, in 3.5 there is no limit to how long a character can delay an action, so that addresses the wizard's crazy initiative problem. If you're playing 3.0, it might be worth asking the DM to make this rule change. It makes delaying the best way to have everyone act in sequence during combat.

I was thinking that delay was the easiest solution too, but just for setting up intiatives in order. Only draw back is, that will sometimes allow foes to act before or during your chain of initiative, which isn't really a concern during surprise.

What crazy wizard intiative problem are you talking about?

 

[Geoff Watson]

Hey there. In our most recent session (3e), the five characters were preparing to barge into a room through a closed door. There was no immediate threat to us, so we had all the time in the world to plan our entry. We settled on stacking up in the hallway like SWAT performing room-clearing exercises. Trouble is, any plan we developed depended on the characters acting in a specific order. Warriors in first, sweeping right and left, wizard with AoE spells clearing the center, etc. Naturally, the whole plan goes down the drain when the wizard scores the highest initiative and has to pass or is so much higher than the next party member that dropping down (limit is 10, yes?) is impossible.

Essentially, we're looking for some sort of team initiative wherein the party, when given the chance to prepare, acts as a unit either simultaneously or in a pre-determined sequence. Seems like it should be possible, but I'll be damned if I know how to make it work. Any suggestions?

The limit for delaying isn't 10 'initiative points', it's to 'minus 10' on the roll. I doubt the fighters could roll -11 or worse.

Or just use 3.5 delay, which is unlimited.

Everyone delaying to the correct order would be the way to do it.

Geoff.