using props to track initiative - an idea

[GlassJaw]

One area of the game I've always tried to speed up is tracking initiative. I've done everything from writing down everyone's scores (which makes more work for me, the DM) to using a white board (can be sloppy and annoying when the initiative order changed) to moving around cards on a bulletin board (the best method I've found so far but requires someone to "manage" the board). While all get the job done, none are perfect.

My new idea is to make cards and number them 1-30 say, with maybe a couple of duplicates or numbered subsets (.a, .b/ .1, .2, etc). The cards could be standard file card size with large, bold numbers.

As people roll initiative, they place the card with their score in front of them so everyone can see it. I can take cards or just write down the scores for the creatures and opponents.

Everyone can see all the scores and removes the "Who's first?", "who's next?" questioning that I end up doing in almost every battle.

Also, as people ready actions or delay, they can replace their card with their new place in the order.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone has tried anything like this or if anyone has any cool ways of handling initiative.

 

[Jupp]

We have a checker board numbered 1 to 40 on the table. Once initiative is calculated every player places his name marker on the correct number, thats it. Fast and easy.

 

[Kershek]

We use DM Genie (http://dmgenie.com) for combat management.

 

[lukelightning]

I use a bunch of cards that include all the PC's and their enemies, then stack them in order of initiative. I prepare them beforehand with a simplified stat block (AC, HP, saves, attacks), which speeds up play a lot.

 

[GlassJaw]

We have a checker board numbered 1 to 40 on the table. Once initiative is calculated every player places his name marker on the correct number, thats it. Fast and easy.

Ooh, I like this. I wonder if I could even do something similar with my battlemat. Use one of the columns on the edge of the mat and number them. The players could place markers on their spot in the order. It would also be visual because everyone could actually see the order.

We use DM Genie (http://dmgenie.com) for combat management

When you use this, can everyone see it or just the DM? I'll be using a laptop to run my games soon so I'm curious.

 

[Kershek]

When you use this, can everyone see it or just the DM? I'll be using a laptop to run my games soon so I'm curious.

No, only the DM sees it. When I run my battles, I will state whose turn it is and who is next in line so that they can prepare.

 

[Kealios]

I use a bunch of cards that include all the PC's and their enemies, then stack them in order of initiative. I prepare them beforehand with a simplified stat block (AC, HP, saves, attacks), which speeds up play a lot.

I do this as well. I keep a index file with the monsters I have created, sorted alphabetically by type (or name, if a "named" NPC), and I jot initiative down in my binder as they are called out. Rolling for my mobs, I sort the cards while the first player is acting (writing this down may slow things down a tad in the beginning, but I find it a nice reference).

Then again, I also have magic items written on color-coded index cards like Monte Cook proposed, have loot that hasnt been identified on regular white cards, and spell-effects that the players are under (such as Bless, Prayer, etc) written on smaller purple index cards so the players dont keep saying, "Oh yea, add one to hit for Bless...and oh yea, add one to damage from the bards song, and...oh yea, I get one more from Prayer". That gets old really quickly

Kealios

 

[radferth]

I played in a game in which the DM had us all pick a playing card and then collected the cards and put them in order for initiative. He would go through the cards and call them out when it was that cards turn. It sounded good, but in play people usually forgot what card they were, and it actually slowed things down. Sadly, the DM persisted even though we all told him it wasn't actually working. Personally, I just write down everyone on scratch paper in initiative order. This works well enough, but I sometimes get messed up when there is a lot of delaying and such (my melees tend to bring out a lot of delaying, not sure why).

 

[Voadam]

For my face to face game I take note paper and write each character's name on a single piece of paper. Then I make a new one for the adversary(ies). As people roll their init I put them in the order with the name sticking out of the top. Then just follow the order of the cards, adjusting as needed for readied actions or delays. With only five players I can keep track of their shouted init enough to get the order down and slot in the monster then ignore the init number from then on just going in the order of the pieces of paper and shout out things like "Ragnar next, then Jonas". Works pretty well.

 

[Henry]

I use The Game Mechanics init cards, and we ditch the numbers. Everyone rolls init, I put the cards in order based on that roll, and then we ignore the actual init numbers for the rest of the combat. If someone wants to delay or ready, I turn the card sideways in the stack until their turn comes, and then put them in order in the stack. Makes it a LOT easier to track.