My thought is the initial initiative roll is important but I would think it would be cool that if your character critical hits or does a lot of damage (say more than 50% of a creatures HP total) on his/her turn then the character gets to move up in the next round of combat and the damaged creature falls back in order. (I know home-brew DM rule can do what ever is agreed upon.) I wondered if this was something some already do? Or something similar. Is the alternate initiative article on DnD Official site worth reading?
Why move the attacker up in addition to moving the target down? That makes no sense and double penalizes the target.
The DMG has an optional rule for Massive Damage that might interest you in page 273. When a creature takes at least 50% of their max HP in damage from a single source, it has to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. If it fails, it suffers "system shock" and you roll a d10; the consequences range from not being able to take reactions, to being stunned, to being reduced to 0 HP. You could easily adapt the rule to either adding to or switching something out for being moved down in initiative order to the table of consequences.
The DMG also has an alternative initiative ruled called Speed Factor in page 271 that's similar to Greyhawk Initiative.
If there is only the 2. A one-on-one, it does nothing but switch their order if say the attacked won the first round. If there are multiple, then it would be like a bonus, say +5, which would move them up only above anyone who had a lower than the new total and the attacked would move down -5...but this is why I posted here. I was not aware of what you posted and am very excited to read more about it. I just got the DM guide so I have so much to read...thanks for the information!
Clear, I have always found it easiest if you give the job of initiative records to one of the players. Beginning of a round all roll and notify the player who is keeping record and then the player simply calls pc or npc in order of highest to lowest. Of course, if you are playing on internet and have like a FB connection with the group, that player can record the names and numbers in the FB connection and you call the order. (We are using Skype for face and chat and FB for quick notes)
Why move the attacker up in addition to moving the target down? That makes no sense and double penalizes the target.
The DMG has an optional rule for Massive Damage that might interest you in page 273. When a creature takes at least 50% of their max HP in damage from a single source, it has to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. If it fails, it suffers "system shock" and you roll a d10; the consequences range from not being able to take reactions, to being stunned, to being reduced to 0 HP. You could easily adapt the rule to either adding to or switching something out for being moved down in initiative order to the table of consequences.
The DMG also has an alternative initiative ruled called Speed Factor in page 271 that's similar to Greyhawk Initiative.
I use the Massive Damage rule in all my campaigns...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"...Debts must always be paid, sometimes in more than blood and gold. But this is Ordo Ursa," Ren places his hand on Erakas's chest, right where the Dragonborn's heart is. "Right here. And it always has been and always will be. Don't ever forget that. Because I won't."
Serandis Mendaen (Aereni Elven Rogue/maybe one day Wizard)- Project Point Playtest
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
My thought is the initial initiative roll is important but I would think it would be cool that if your character critical hits or does a lot of damage (say more than 50% of a creatures HP total) on his/her turn then the character gets to move up in the next round of combat and the damaged creature falls back in order. (I know home-brew DM rule can do what ever is agreed upon.) I wondered if this was something some already do? Or something similar. Is the alternate initiative article on DnD Official site worth reading?
It is worth reading, even just to get some new ideas.
Never really tried, but it is far more tactical and time-consuming.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/unearthed-arcana/5179-ua-greyhawk-initiative
Why move the attacker up in addition to moving the target down? That makes no sense and double penalizes the target.
The DMG has an optional rule for Massive Damage that might interest you in page 273. When a creature takes at least 50% of their max HP in damage from a single source, it has to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. If it fails, it suffers "system shock" and you roll a d10; the consequences range from not being able to take reactions, to being stunned, to being reduced to 0 HP. You could easily adapt the rule to either adding to or switching something out for being moved down in initiative order to the table of consequences.
The DMG also has an alternative initiative ruled called Speed Factor in page 271 that's similar to Greyhawk Initiative.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
If there is only the 2. A one-on-one, it does nothing but switch their order if say the attacked won the first round. If there are multiple, then it would be like a bonus, say +5, which would move them up only above anyone who had a lower than the new total and the attacked would move down -5...but this is why I posted here. I was not aware of what you posted and am very excited to read more about it. I just got the DM guide so I have so much to read...thanks for the information!
The world became a much brighter place once I gave up and used Passive Initiative.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
Clear, I have always found it easiest if you give the job of initiative records to one of the players. Beginning of a round all roll and notify the player who is keeping record and then the player simply calls pc or npc in order of highest to lowest. Of course, if you are playing on internet and have like a FB connection with the group, that player can record the names and numbers in the FB connection and you call the order. (We are using Skype for face and chat and FB for quick notes)
"...Debts must always be paid, sometimes in more than blood and gold. But this is Ordo Ursa," Ren places his hand on Erakas's chest, right where the Dragonborn's heart is. "Right here. And it always has been and always will be. Don't ever forget that. Because I won't."
Serandis Mendaen (Aereni Elven Rogue/maybe one day Wizard)- Project Point Playtest