Initiative - Revision history

Tao alexis at 21:33, 18 February 2025

2025-02-18T21:33:20Z

Tao alexis at 22:19, 1 October 2023

2023-10-01T22:19:33Z

Tao alexis at 22:19, 1 October 2023

2023-10-01T22:19:22Z

Tao alexis: /* Initiative & Breaking Off Melee */

2021-09-30T03:08:16Z

Initiative & Breaking Off Melee

Tao alexis: /* Simultaneous Results */

2021-09-29T22:42:53Z

Simultaneous Results

Tao alexis: /* Surprise */

2021-09-29T17:54:41Z

Surprise

Tao alexis at 17:54, 29 September 2021

2021-09-29T17:54:21Z

Tao alexis: /* Example of Initiative Roll */

2021-09-29T17:33:44Z

Example of Initiative Roll

Tao alexis: /* Procedure */

2021-09-29T17:33:30Z

Procedure

Tao alexis: /* Initiative & Breaking Off Melee */

2021-09-28T22:41:06Z

Initiative & Breaking Off Melee

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:33, 18 February 2025
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−	[[File:Initiative.jpg\|right\|~~595px~~\|thumb]]	+	[[File:Initiative.jpg\|right\|525px\|thumb]]
	'''Initiative''' determines which of two or more groups entering [[Combat\|combat]] will act first, as required by a turn-based system. Each group rolls to win initiative at the start of [[Melee\|melee]]. This occurs at the beginning of every engagement; once initiative is determined, it's '''NOT''' re-determined every [[Combat Round\|round]].		'''Initiative''' determines which of two or more groups entering [[Combat\|combat]] will act first, as required by a turn-based system. Each group rolls to win initiative at the start of [[Melee\|melee]]. This occurs at the beginning of every engagement; once initiative is determined, it's '''NOT''' re-determined every [[Combat Round\|round]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:19, 1 October 2023
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−	[[File:Initiative.jpg\|right\|~~525px~~\|thumb]]	+	[[File:Initiative.jpg\|right\|595px\|thumb]]
	'''Initiative''' determines which of two or more groups entering [[Combat\|combat]] will act first, as required by a turn-based system. Each group rolls to win initiative at the start of [[Melee\|melee]]. This occurs at the beginning of every engagement; once initiative is determined, it's '''NOT''' re-determined every [[Combat Round\|round]].		'''Initiative''' determines which of two or more groups entering [[Combat\|combat]] will act first, as required by a turn-based system. Each group rolls to win initiative at the start of [[Melee\|melee]]. This occurs at the beginning of every engagement; once initiative is determined, it's '''NOT''' re-determined every [[Combat Round\|round]].

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 [[File:Initiative.jpg|right|525px|thumb]]
-'''Initiative''' determines which of two or more groups entering [[Combat|combat]] will act first, as required by a turn-based system.  Each group rolls to win initiative at the start of a combat.  This is done at the beginning of every engagement; once initiative is determined, it is '''NOT''' re-determined every [[Combat Round|round]].
+'''Initiative''' determines which of two or more groups entering [[Combat|combat]] will act first, as required by a turn-based system.  Each group rolls to win initiative at the start of [[Melee|melee]].  This occurs at the beginning of every engagement; once initiative is determined, it's '''NOT''' re-determined every [[Combat Round|round]].
 == Surprise ==
 : Main Article: [[Surprise (combat)]]
-Surprise is rolled only when a group of combatants '''unexpectedly''' meets with an enemy.  It may be that the enemy has lain in wait, hoping to surprise an unsuspecting group of "defenders," or it may be that two groups meet unexpectedly at the same time.  In the former case, only the defenders roll surprise.  In the latter case, both groups roll.  Whomever is surprised loses the initiative.  If neither group is surprised, or both are surprised together, then initiative must be rolled; in the latter case, after both groups have recovered from surprise.
+Surprise is rolled only when a group of combatants '''unexpectedly''' encounters an enemy. It may be that the enemy has lain in wait, hoping to surprise an unsuspecting group of "defenders," or it may be that two groups meet unexpectedly at the same time. In the former case, only the defenders roll for surprise. In the latter case, both groups roll. Whoever is surprised loses the initiative. If neither group is surprised, or both are surprised together, then initiative must be rolled; in the latter case, after both groups have recovered from surprise.
 == Rolling Initiative ==
-Following the determination of surprise, each side of the combat must roll initiative.  This is done on a six-sided die.  The DM rolls for each group of non-player characters.  For the party, the DM designates one player, who rolls on behalf of the party.  This designation should be shared from combat to combat, but the DM can also use this designation to encourage participation from one party member whose attention seems minimal.
+Following the determination of surprise, each side of the combat must roll for initiative. This is achieved using a six-sided die. The DM rolls for each group of non-player characters. For the party, the DM designates one player to roll on behalf of the group. This designation should be consistent from combat to combat, but the DM can also use this method to encourage participation from a party member who appears less engaged.
-The dice are modified according to [[Dexterity (ability stat)|dexterity]], [[Luck (phenomenon)|luck]] or magic, as applicable.  The one die rolled for the party may be individually adjusted.
+The dice are modified according to [[Dexterity (ability stat)|dexterity]], [[Luck (phenomenon)|luck]] or magic, as applicable.  '''One die''' is rolled for the whole party, but individual characters adjust this number by their dexterity or other factors.
 : '''For example,''' Nathan and Obadiah are both player characters in the party.  Nathan has no adjustments, but Obadiah has a 16 dexterity and is therefore +1 to initiative.  A "4" is rolled for both; this counts as a "4" for Nathan, but as a "5" for Obadiah.
-: If the enemy rolled a "3," then both Nathan and Obadiah would have initiative.  If the enemy rolled a "4," then Obadiah would have initiative and Nathan would attack '''simultaneously''' with the enemy.  If the enemy rolled a "5," then Nathan would have lost initiative and Obadiah would be simultaneous.  And finally, if the enemy rolled a "6," then both player characters would have lost initiative.
+: If the enemy rolls a "3," then both Nathan and Obadiah have initiative.  If the enemy rolls a "4," then Obadiah wins initiative and Nathan attacks '''simultaneously''' with the enemy.  If the enemy rolls a "5," then Nathan loses initiative and Obadiah is simultaneous.  And finally, if the enemy rolls a "6," then both player characters lose initiative.
-Whomever wins the initiative attacks first in the combat.
+Whoever wins the initiative attacks first in the combat.
 == Simultaneous Results ==
-When two or more combatants fight simultaneously, it means that BOTH roll attack dice, and damage dice if applicable, regardless of the outcome.
+When two or more combatants engage in simultaneous combat, it means that BOTH roll attack dice, and damage dice if applicable, regardless of the outcome.
-: '''For example,''' Patricia the 1st level player character and Rakk the orc are simultaneously.  Both roll d20s to hit; both hit; both roll damage dice.  Patricia causes 5 points of damage, which doesn't kill, but does [[Stun Lock|stun]] Rakk.  If Patricia had initiative, this would cause Rakk to lose his round; however, since the attacks are simultaneous, and Rakk also hits, he does 4 damage to Patricia.  This ALSO stuns ... and so both Patricia and Rakk are stunned together.
+: '''For example,''' Patricia, the 1st level player character, and Rakk the orc engage in simultaneous combat. Both roll d20s to hit, and both successfully hit their targets. Subsequently, both roll damage dice.  Patricia inflicts 5 points of damage upon Rakk, which doesn't prove fatal but effectively [[Stun Lock|stuns]] him. If Patricia had won the initiative, this would have caused Rakk to lose his round. However, since their attacks occur simultaneously and Rakk also hits, he deals 4 damage to Patricia. This, in turn, stuns Patricia. Consequently, both Patricia and Rakk find themselves stunned, their actions momentarily halted by the effects of their exchange.
-: If Patricia were stunned and not Rakk, then Rakk would attack again.  Further simultaneous movement would cease, since Rakk had gained initiative by overcoming Patricia in the first round.  However, because both sides are stunned, both sides recover simultaneously and the NEXT round is counted as simultaneous again.  This continues until one side or the other gains an advantage through stunning, until one or both sides foregoes an attack, or until an outside combatant stuns one or the other.
+: If Patricia were stunned and not Rakk, then Rakk would attack again.  Further simultaneous movement would cease, since Rakk has gained initiative by overcoming Patricia in the first round.  However, because both sides are stunned, both sides recover simultaneously and the NEXT round is counted as simultaneous again.  This continues until one side or the other gains an advantage through stunning, until one or both sides foregoes an attack, or until an outside combatant stuns one or the other.
 == Initiative & Re-engagement ==
-'''Re-engagement''' describes a situation where combatants, who have fallen out of a combat, join '''an existing''' battle.  This includes combatants who have been stunned, or who have fallen back to heal themselves or cast spells; it includes those who have failed [[Morale|morale]], been routed and have now regrouped.  These examples are not exclusive of other possibilities.  By joining an existing battle, the movement and attacks of the re-engaging combatants are considered to '''be in step''' with their allies turn.  Initiative is not re-rolled for re-engaging allies.
+'''Re-engagement''' describes a situation where the combatants, who have fallen out of a combat, join '''an existing''' battle.  This includes combatants who have been stunned, or who have fallen back to heal themselves or cast spells; it also includes those who have failed [[Morale|morale]], been routed and have now regrouped.  These examples are not exclusive of other possibilities.  By joining an existing battle, the movement and attacks of the re-engaging combatants are considered to '''be in step''' with their allies turn.  Initiative is not re-rolled for re-engaging allies.
 However, if one group of combatants who have fallen back — for whatever reason — meets with a group that '''are not engaged''', then this is considered a NEW engagement and initiative is rolled at the outset.
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 ==== Special Cases ====
-With some creatures, such as flying creatures which swoop at targets on the ground and then reclimb, or fast moving creatures who dash in, strike, then run off, the combat is considered broken after the end of every short engagement, once two or more rounds have passed without combat.  Therefore, each time the flying creature dives, and each time the fast-moving creature charges, initiative is re-rolled on the '''first round''' ... but not thereafter, if fighting is engaged.
+With some creatures, such as flying creatures which swoop at targets on the ground and then reclimb, or fast moving creatures who dash in, strike, then run off, the combat is considered broken after the end of every short engagement, once two or more rounds have passed without combat.  Therefore, each time the flying creature dives, and each time the fast-moving creature charges, initiative is re-rolled on the '''first round''' ... but not thereafter, if melee is engaged.
 Another example would be a rider attacking with a lance or other weapon in passing — who then continues on, only to circle and try again.  Still another example would be a submerged creature that attacks from below the water surface and then dives out of reach.  Each time these contacts are broken, initiative is rolled at the start of the next contact.
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-[[Category: Don't Review until 2022]]
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 : If Patricia were stunned and not Rakk, then Rakk would attack again.  Further simultaneous movement would cease, since Rakk had gained initiative by overcoming Patricia in the first round.  However, because both sides are stunned, both sides recover simultaneously and the NEXT round is counted as simultaneous again.  This continues until one side or the other gains an advantage through stunning, until one or both sides foregoes an attack, or until an outside combatant stuns one or the other.
-== Initiative & Breaking Off Melee ==
+== Initiative & Re-engagement ==
-Combatants will be often forced out of melee due to the stunning rules, or may choose to fall back in order to change tactics, [[Weapons List#Missile Ranges|throw or fire missiles]], or [[Spellcasting|cast spells]].  When this takes place amidst a large battle with lots of participants, these moments are treated as part of the normal back and forth between two sides.  Therefore, if one individual falls out of a combat, and then rejoins it, the time in which their action takes place will keep tandem with their allies.
+'''Re-engagement''' describes a situation where combatants, who have fallen out of a combat, join '''an existing''' battle.  This includes combatants who have been stunned, or who have fallen back to heal themselves or cast spells; it includes those who have failed [[Morale|morale]], been routed and have now regrouped.  These examples are not exclusive of other possibilities.  By joining an existing battle, the movement and attacks of the re-engaging combatants are considered to '''be in step''' with their allies turn.  Initiative is not re-rolled for re-engaging allies.
-However, if '''both sides''' of a combat completely break off from fighting each other, or individuals on both sides have left an ongoing combat and now happen to meet independently, then this is treated as a new combat and initiative must be rolled prior to renewing melee, to determine who can engage first.
+However, if one group of combatants who have fallen back — for whatever reason — meets with a group that '''are not engaged''', then this is considered a NEW engagement and initiative is rolled at the outset.
-Likewise, if a flying creature dives from the sky at a combatant, then initiative is rolled to see which attacks first at the moment of combat.  If the flying creature then swoops off, turns, and attacks again, then '''again''', initiative is rolled.  This practice is the same for a horserider attacking with a lance or a sword, who then continues on, only to circle and try again; or for a submerged creature that attacks from below the water surface and then dives again.  Each time that the contact is broken, initiative is rolled at the start of the next contact.
+: '''For example''', groups A and B are engaged in a combat with groups X and Y.  Group B falls back, as does Group Y, while groups A and X continue fighting.  If B re-enters into the fight between A and X, initiative '''NOT''' is rolled.  But if Group B and Group Y meet separately, starting a new combat where A and X are not engaged, then initiative '''IS''' rolled.

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 : '''For example,''' Patricia the 1st level player character and Rakk the orc are simultaneously.  Both roll d20s to hit; both hit; both roll damage dice.  Patricia causes 5 points of damage, which doesn't kill, but does [[Stun Lock|stun]] Rakk.  If Patricia had initiative, this would cause Rakk to lose his round; however, since the attacks are simultaneous, and Rakk also hits, he does 4 damage to Patricia.  This ALSO stuns ... and so both Patricia and Rakk are stunned together.
-: If Patricia were stunned and not Rakk, Rakk would attack again and further simultaneous movement would cease, since Rakk had gained initiative by overcoming Patricia in the first round.  However, because both sides are stunned, both sides recover simultaneously and the NEXT round is counted as simultaneous again.  This continues until one side or the other gains an advantage through stunning, until one or both sides foregoes an attack, or until an outside combatant stuns one or the other.
+: If Patricia were stunned and not Rakk, then Rakk would attack again.  Further simultaneous movement would cease, since Rakk had gained initiative by overcoming Patricia in the first round.  However, because both sides are stunned, both sides recover simultaneously and the NEXT round is counted as simultaneous again.  This continues until one side or the other gains an advantage through stunning, until one or both sides foregoes an attack, or until an outside combatant stuns one or the other.
 == Initiative & Breaking Off Melee ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:33, 29 September 2021
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	Whomever wins the initiative attacks first in the combat.		Whomever wins the initiative attacks first in the combat.
−
−	~~== Example of Initiative Roll ==~~
−	Albert, Bala, Caleb and Drusilla make up a party of player characters facing a group of five orcs. Bala is designated to roll initiative for the party and rolls a "3." The orcs roll a "5." It happens that Drusilla has an 18 dexterity, so she adds +3 to her initiative, making hers a 6, allowing her the advantage of going first. Albert, Bala and Caleb do not have sufficient bonuses to challenge the orcs.
−
−	Drusilla [[Attacking in Combat\|attacks]], missing. The orcs, Rake, Cud, Gash, Lunge and Shackle attack; Bala and Albert [[Roll to Hit\|are hit]], but for glancing damage, while Caleb takes 5 hit points, which is a quarter of Caleb's hit points and is sufficient to stun him.
−
−	Because Caleb loses his attack, Bala and Albert are finally able to join in. Then, because initiative is not rolled again, Drusilla is free to attack with her allies as well. These three cause enough damage to stun Cud and Shackle. Rake, Gash and Lunge strike back, stunning Drusilla.
−
−	Now, at last, Caleb can attack, with Albert and Bala. They kill Rake and stun Shackle again ... and so the combat goes, swinging back and forth between the two sides, with individuals dropping out of specific rounds from taking enough damage to stun them. There is no need to roll initiative again, saving time and improving the momentum of the combat. As well, since some people are forced to "lose a turn," there are less rolls to be made every round, and this increases the pace of combat as well.

	== Simultaneous Results ==		== Simultaneous Results ==

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 == Procedure ==
-Once surprise has been discounted, or already used to determine initiative, the DM designates one player to roll initiative for the players, who are on one side.  Individuals do not, as in other systems, roll for independently for initiative; in part, this is because initiative is not rolled every round (as it is in other systems) and because it removes unwanted and largely immaterial impediments to the process of beginning combat.  The DM rolls initiative for combatants opposed to the party.  All rolls are made with a d6.
+Following the determination of surprise, each side of the combat must roll initiative.  This is done on a six-sided die.  The DM rolls for each group of non-player characters.  For the party, the DM designates one player, who rolls on behalf of the party.  This designation should be shared from combat to combat, but the DM can also use this designation to encourage participation from one party member whose attention seems minimal.
-Individuals '''modify''' the die for their side according to [[Dexterity (ability stat)|dexterity]], [[Luck (phenomenon)|luck]] or magic, if available.  For example, Nathan and Obadiah represent one side in a fight; a "4" on a d6 is rolled for both of them, but Obadiah has a 16 dexterity; this gives him a +1 initiative.  Therefore, while Nathan's initiative total is "4," Obadiah's is "5."
+The dice are modified according to [[Dexterity (ability stat)|dexterity]], [[Luck (phenomenon)|luck]] or magic, as applicable.  The one die rolled for the party may be individually adjusted.
-Those individuals with the highest adjusted initiative (which may mean one whole side in the fight) win the advantage and act first.  Whereupon, those with the next highest initiative may act; and so on, until all the individuals have acted at least once this round. However, it may be that because of not acting first, some individuals may be [[Stun Lock|stun locked]]; these individuals will lose their turn and must wait until they are free to act.
+: '''For example,''' Nathan and Obadiah are both player characters in the party.  Nathan has no adjustments, but Obadiah has a 16 dexterity and is therefore +1 to initiative.  A "4" is rolled for both; this counts as a "4" for Nathan, but as a "5" for Obadiah.
 == Example of Initiative Roll ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:41, 28 September 2021
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−	[[Category: ~~Lacks Image~~]]	+	[[Category: Don't Review until 2022]]