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Returning 35 results for 'Initiative'.
Rules
Initiative determines the order of turns during combat. When combat starts, every participant makes a Dexterity check to determine their place in the initiative order. The DM makes one roll for an
lowest. This is the order (called the initiative order) in which they act during each round. The initiative order remains the same from round to round.
If a tie occurs, the DM decides the order among
Compendium
- Sources->Basic Rules
Initiative Initiative determines the order of turns during combat. When combat starts, every participant makes a Dexterity check to determine their place in the initiative order. The DM makes one
with the lowest. This is the order (called the initiative order) in which they act during each round. The initiative order remains the same from round to round. If a tie occurs, the DM decides the order
Compendium
- Sources->Player's Handbook
Initiative Initiative determines the order of turns during combat. When combat starts, every participant makes a Dexterity check to determine their place in the initiative order. The DM makes one
with the lowest. This is the order (called the initiative order) in which they act during each round. The initiative order remains the same from round to round. If a tie occurs, the DM decides the order
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Tracking Initiative You can use several different methods for keeping track of who goes when in combat. Hidden List Many DMs keep track of initiative on a list the players can’t see: usually a piece
of paper behind a DM screen or a spreadsheet on a tablet computer. This method allows you to keep track of combatants who haven’t been revealed yet, and you can use the initiative list as a place to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Initiative Variants This section offers different ways to handle initiative. Initiative Score With this optional rule, creature don’t roll initiative at the start of combat. Instead, each creature
has an initiative score, which is a passive Dexterity check: 10 + Dexterity modifier. By cutting down on die rolls, math done on the fly, and the process of asking for and recording totals, you can
Compendium
- Sources->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Ships and Initiative A ship rolls initiative using its Dexterity, and it uses its crew’s quality score as a modifier to that roll. On a ship’s turn, the captain decides which of the ship’s actions to use.
Magic Items
While wearing this winged helm, you have a flying speed of 60 feet. In addition, you have advantage on initiative rolls.
Magic Items
This magic weapon warns you of danger. While the weapon is on your person, you have advantage on initiative rolls. In addition, you and any of your companions within 30 feet of you can’t be
Magic Items
While holding this shield, you have advantage on initiative rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks. The shield is emblazoned with a symbol of an eye.
Magic Items
This shield is a shield, +2;+2 shield emblazoned with a stylized silver dragon that is the emblem of the Order of the Silver Dragon (see chapter 7). The shield whispers warnings to its bearer, granting a +2 bonus to initiative if the bearer isn’t incapacitated.
Magic Items
This rod has a flanged head and the following properties.
Alertness. While holding the rod, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on rolls for initiative.
Spells. While holding the
Magic Items
initiative as long as you aren’t incapacitated.
The armor doesn’t impose disadvantage on your Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
The armor doesn’t impose disadvantage on saving throws made
Magic Items
-Touched Focus (Slumbering);Slumbering (Uncommon). You have advantage on initiative rolls. While you are holding the focus, it can function as a spellcasting focus for all your spells.
Dragon-Touched Focus
Magic Items
speed is halved. When you roll initiative, treat the roll on your d20 as a 1. You can’t change your initiative by any means.
Magic Items
initiative count. By using a bonus action to speak the command word again, you return the staff to its normal form in a space formerly occupied by the snake.
On your turn, you can mentally command the
Magic Items
your person, you add a d10 to your initiative at the start of every combat. In addition, when you use an action to attack with the sword, you can transfer some or all of its attack bonus to your Armor
feats
Always on the lookout for danger, you gain the following benefits:
You gain a +5 bonus to initiative.
You can't be surprise;surprised while you are conscious.
Other creatures don’t gain advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being unseen by you.
Spells
You touch a willing creature. For the duration, the target can add 1d8 to its initiative rolls.
Merrenoloth
Legacy
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Monsters
merrenoloth can invoke its ability to take lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the merrenoloth can take one lair action to cause one of the following effects; it can't use the
30 feet until initiative count 20 on the next round.
The air within 60 feet of the ship is filled with howling wind. Until initiative count 20 on the next round, that area is difficult terrain, and
Monsters
death.Unless he is incapacitated, Fazrian can take one of the following lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties) while on the Terminus Level:
Blood flows from Fazrian's eyes until
initiative count 20 on the next round. No creature within 120 feet of the planetar can regain hit points until the effect ends.
Fazrian's eyes become smoldering black voids until initiative count 20
Spells
succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be distracted for the duration. While distracted, a creature has disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and initiative rolls.
Monsters
who forcefully boards their vessels.Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties) while captaining a vessel, the merrenoloth can take one of the following lair actions; it can’t
take the same lair action two rounds in a row:
Gale. The air within 60 feet of the vessel is filled with wind. Until initiative count 20 on the next round, that area is difficult terrain, and when a
Monsters
, within which are hidden divine secrets and treasures beyond the reach of mortals.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the sphinx can take a lair action to cause one of the
following magical effects; the sphinx can’t use an effect again until it finishes a short or long rest:
The flow of time is altered such that every creature in the lair must reroll initiative
Magic Items
.
The spirit is an ally to you and your companions. In combat, the spirit shares your initiative count but takes its turn immediately after yours. The spirit obeys your commands (no action required
Monsters
encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 16 (15,000 XP).
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the mummy lord takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects
; the mummy lord can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row.
Each undead creature in the lair can pinpoint the location of each living creature within 120 feet of it until initiative count 20
Monsters
False Appearance. If the rocking horse is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the rocking horse move or act, that
Monsters
mortals.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the sphinx can take a lair action to cause one of the following magical effects; the sphinx can’t use an effect again until it
finishes a short or long rest:
The flow of time is altered such that every creature in the lair must reroll initiative. The sphinx can choose not to reroll.
The effects of time are altered such
Feats
see hits you with an attack roll, you can use your reaction to force that creature to reroll. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you roll initiative at the start of combat or until you finish a short or long rest.
Monsters
a blot on the university’s reputation.
Murgaxor's Lair Actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Murgaxor can take one of the following lair actions; after he does so, he can't
, takes its turns on initiative count 10 (losing initiative ties), fights until destroyed, and reverts to a mound of inanimate clay after 1 hour.
Earthen Fist. A medium fist of packed earth rises
Equipment
. Roll initiative for the dynamite. After the set number of rounds goes by, the dynamite explodes on that initiative.
Monsters
while Ogrémoch isn’t, Marlos can take lair actions and has a challenge rating of 12. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Marlos uses a lair action to cast earthquake without using
components. As long as he maintains concentration on earthquake, initiative count 20 is the start of Marlos’s turn for the purpose of the spell. He can take no other lair actions while
Magic Items
your initiative count. The snake can tell friendly creatures from hostile ones and attacks the latter. The snake disappears in a harmless puff of smoke after 1 hour, when it drops to 0 hit points, or
Magic Items
creature pulling it.
If multiple creatures are pulling the chariot, they all act on the same initiative, and they must take the same action on their turn.
Monsters
dragon;ancient or adult time dragon increases by 1 when it’s encountered in its lair.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon can take one of the following
that space if it’s occupied.
Temporal Lag. The dragon slows time for each creature within 60 feet of itself. Until initiative count 20 of the next round, the affected creature can move or take an
Monsters
mummy lord keeps its greatest treasures.
A mummy lord encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 16 (15,000 XP).
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the mummy lord
living creature within 120 feet of it until initiative count 20 on the next round.
Each undead in the lair has advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead until initiative count 20 on the