Potential Initiative Errata -- Feedback Wanted

[imported_Rasyr]

Right now, Initiative Rolls are both explosive and implosive. However, there is no rulings/clarifications as to what happens when a character has a negative initiative (except for the sole case of surprise, where it explicitly states that if the -20 to init from surprise puts init at or below zero, the character cannot act that round).

What I am proposing is to create/add errata that states that if a character has a naturally occurring negative initiative total (i.e. from a bad roll, not from surprise), that the character be limited to such actions as those listed under "Canceling an Action" or to "Rerolling Initiative".

I would strongly appreciate feedback in regards to this potential errata...

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

[Fidoric]

Have you seen anything like that lately ? 

[old man]

Right now, Initiative Rolls are both explosive and implosive. However, there is no rulings/clarifications as to what happens when a character has a negative initiative (except for the sole case of surprise, where it explicitly states that if the -20 to init from surprise puts init at or below zero, the character cannot act that round).

What I am proposing is to create/add errata that states that if a character has a naturally occurring negative initiative total (i.e. from a bad roll, not from surprise), that the character be limited to such actions as those listed under "Canceling an Action" or to "Rerolling Initiative".

I would strongly appreciate feedback in regards to this potential errata...

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

Is there anything special for a really high Initiative? If not, I'd probably not do anything for a low one either. It just means they go last ...

[imported_Rasyr]

Is there anything special for a really high Initiative? If not, I'd probably not do anything for a low one either. It just means they go last ...

Should really high initiative grant Boon Points (that can be used in conjunction with any actions performed in the first round)?

[Sunwolf]

Is there anything special for a really high Initiative? If not, I'd probably not do anything for a low one either. It just means they go last ...

Should really high initiative grant Boon Points (that can be used in conjunction with any actions performed in the first round)?

I think going first is usually enough of a reward on its own.
He who strikes first, if he strikes hard enough, need not strike again.

[Fidoric]

I could easily see initiative boon points giving additional action points. But then you have to either create an initiative TN (to see if you earn boons or snags) or give a boon point for any 10 points above your opponent's own initiative. The latter will probably involve significant bookkeeping.

Besides, rewarding high initiative or sanctioning low initiative must remain a one round effect IMO. That is not compliant with the current rules that prescribe one initiative roll for an entire fight. I think anyone with a negative initiative will be willing to re-roll it. On the other hand, someone with a very high initiative will want to keep it that way.

So I suggest :
- negative initiative : apply what you have prescribed above or maybe reduce the available APs for that round, re-roll initiative next round
- high initiative (boon point) awards additional action point for that round and is kept for following rounds with no additional benefits. That may be a reason to use the re-roll initiative option, just to try gaining additional APs.

[imported_Rasyr]

Well for Init Boon Points, I was figuring that an init of 30 would trigger the first one, 40 the second, and so on...  Keeping it pretty simple, since it would take an explosive roll to actually get 30 or above in all but the most extreme instances.

The idea of allowing these Boon Points being used to gain additional Action Points is an extremely good one, better than my idea of allowing them to be used as generic Boon Points for whatever action(s) might be being performed..

Hmm... in fact, it works well with the idea of declaring actions before rolling init as well, as it simulates (sort of) reaching a state where mind and body work extra hard to achieve that state where things seem to be moving more slowly than normal, where it seems like you have extra time. You don't realize it when you decide WHAT to do, only when you go to do it (thus you end up with one or more unused AP at the end of the round, which lets you maybe move a little extra that first round, but better comes into play later on....

If I add this as errata, I als think that I would recommend that GMs not use this for average monsters, but only for those really special ones (i.e the big bad of the adventure).

[Trentin Bergeron]

I think any options for initiative just complicate it. I think the errata should state "initiative rolls do not implode or explode, nor do they generate Nova Rolls". It should just be a number to determine order. It already takes into consideration your Speed and Wisdom Stat Bonuses.

The combat system in itself is already nifty with the combat maneuvers, snags, boons, etc. I don't think it needs any added complexity in determining initiative. Just my two cents.

[Trentin Bergeron]

Another consideration, these initiative options could also remove a character (mostly) from combat for a round. There's already Boon Point options that could take you out with Stun. You don't want to many (if any) options to take characters out of combat! It makes the game less fun IMHO.

[imported_Rasyr]

instead of errata, I may just write stuff up as options, to allow the GM to determine the level of complexity that they want....

[Trentin Bergeron]

I think that is awesome. Some people may want more detail in initiative, and so having Boons and Explosive rolls would add something for them.