using props to track initiative - an idea

[Bill Muench]

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.

Same here, with the addition that if someone delays, I hand them their card. When they want to come back in, they give it back to me. That way the burden is on the player, not me.

The format of the card is pretty simple. Since I mostly deal with RPGA games, I have a bit more info than I might have in a home game. Character name in the top left. Below that, classes and race. Below that, player name. Total initiative modifier circled in the top right. Then any other information I might need on the rest of the card (Spot/Listen/Sense Motive modifiers, curses, etc.). It just takes a few minutes at the beginning of the game, and then I'm set.

 

[smootrk]

Use a computer with a dual video output or a projection system. The projection systems I have seen have pause screen, so you can go back to your secret DM stuff while still displaying whatever you want the players to see... maps, initiative, monster pics, etc. Dunjinni makes great maps, and there are other options like Kloogeworks for play in addition to the computing power of spreadsheets.

Another great idea is to use online versions of SRD for rule lookups. See this one:
http://www.d20srd.org/

A computer is also good for mood setting with some mp3's to play during certain situations.... classical, braveheart music, gladiator soundtrack, files from games like NWN for background noise (tavern, towns, etc).

For some however it is rather distracting. I have also noted that some individuals, especially those who are programmers or other IT fields, like to 'un-plug' and just play with paper. Keep that in mind... don't let the computer be the center of attention... the DM should be.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I use the Game Mechanics initiative cards. Like mini-character sheets and I just pencile in the number the characters go on, organize them by that number and go. Works well.

 

[Pyrex]

We play in a conference room with whiteboards on the walls.

We found out that the boards are actually magnetic.

So I picked up a sheet of inkjet-printable magnet (available at your local office supply store) and blue-bordered tiles with the character names on them and red-bordered tiles with names like "Monsters", "Bad Guys", etc.

We then stick the magnet tiles to the board in initiative order, moving them around when someone delays, readies, etc.

 

[DrNilesCrane]

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.

Ditto. If someone delays/readies, I give them their card to hold on to. I usually announced who is "on deck" as well to help the players get ready and keep things moving (if someone doesn't know what they are doing, I give them their card and they are automatically delaying until they figure it out).

 

[xnosipjpqmhd]

init ideas

My old college group used a system similar to what you described in the original post. All players had a set of table tents (folded 3x5 cards) numbered 1 through 10 or whatever. When initiative is determined, each player just re-orders the cards so that the correct number is showing. Then the DM can quickly survey the table and see who is next. Optionally, it helps if each player remembers to remove/lay down their init card after there action, but this is more work and some players could forget. Another drawback is that on small tables, the table gets a bit cluttered and cards can be hard to see, especially if the DM uses a large screen.

The table tents worked so well for initiative, I expanded their role to tracking AC, etc., though I had to color-code the cards for quick recognition.

Nowadays I use a whiteboard to track everything (incl. characters' HP, etc.). I've been writing init numbers down next to each PC's name, but I like the magnet idea and I might start using numbered magnets.

I also like the checkerboard suggestion...

 

[Andre]

Yeah, definitely a lot of cards to keep track of but I like the spell card idea. I want the players to make them though - not me. When the cleric casts bless, he can take the card out with all the modifiers and place it on the table so everyone can see it.

Strangely enough, I've been thinking of using something like this for some time now. Each player would place any cards affecting their character on the table. If only half the party is affected by the cleric's prayer spell, only those characters would have a prayer card in play. If the barbarian rages, a rage card would be placed on the table for that character. The advantage is that it would make remembering effects a snap. The downsides are too much space needed (unless we get rid of the battlemat) - and just the feeling that we've stopped playing an RPG and started playing a CCG. Still, if I can come up with a workable system, I may give it a shot and see what happens.

 

[PeterFitz]

I created a simple figure-eight endless loop graphic with 30 numbered spaces along its length, laminated it, and laid it on the table. We used named counters to mark who went when, and it worked out fine without taking up too much room on the playing area.

 

[haiiro]

I made a variant of the Improved Initiative sheet (if anyone remembers that -- short-lived, but a very cool product): essentially an Excel spreadsheet with several rows of numbers. The box under every other number is shaded (to make it easier to parse), and the whole shebang is sturdily laminated. I write everyone down on in with a grease pencil, and after the first round I put it out on the table where everyone can see it.

Delaying, adding new combatants, and so forth are a breeze, and I much prefer this system to intiative cards -- mainly because it gives everyone time to think about their turn based on where it's going to fall.

 

[IronWolf]

I used to use Index cards for init tracking. One color for the characters one for the critters. It worked pretty well, but it was a fair amount of writing and dice rolling so I ended up moving to DM Genie. It rolls the init for the critters for me and easily allows me to enter the characters rolls. It works pretty well now and gives me an easy way to keep track of hp for the critters too.