Topic: What initiative system to you use in your campaign?

[Druss_the_Legend]

What initiative system to you use in your campaign?

im wanting to streamline the initiative system im using. roll 1d10 + Qu bonus/10.

also looking at player options during the round and want to link these with winning/losing initiative. For example if you win initiative you have more defensive options available to you. My thinking is the faster characters should be able to dodge/parry more easily.

sample rules.

If you win initiative you can:
1) full parry or
2) half parry or
3) zero parry
4) make a manouvre (eg.tumble evasion, acrobatic, disarm) and attack (at no penalty if the manouvre is successful)

If you lose initiative you can:
1) half parry or
3) zero parry
4) make a manouvre (eg.tumble evasion, acrobatic, disarm) or attack

thoughts?

[Spectre771]

Which flavor of RM are you hosting? 

[jdale]

You're fighting two foes and you get the middle initiative. Did you win or lose initiative? In order to make this sufficiently relevant, assume you are using two-weapon combat to attack both foes, so you are eligible to parry both of them (but by the rules must do so by the same amount).

[Druss_the_Legend]

Which flavor of RM are you hosting?

standard rules. the original boxed rules. not sure what version theyr called. theyre like 30yrs old.

[Cory Magel]

We normally use 1d10 + Qu bonus when using a non-overly modified RM.  I may be changing that up in my next own game if I ever get to running it.

[Druss_the_Legend]

We normally use 1d10 + Qu bonus when using a non-overly modified RM.  I may be changing that up in my next own game if I ever get to running it.

nice. that will separate the fastest by a wide margin as +20bonus puts them in the top bracket most of the time but even if they roll a natural1 they are going to go b4 most average speed opponents. with them using 1/10 of their bonus they will have a better chance of beating the fast guys to initiative. ill have to try it out and see what feels right. perhaps 1/5 of their bonus will work as +5Qu translates to +1 to your d10roll.

[tbigness]

Mine is 2D10 + Qu bonus

[Cory Magel]

We play RMSS, so the best initiative was +10 on Qu, maybe +6 if you were a High Elf, plus any other odd things like talents.  So a +20 just never happened.

[Justin]

the one in the book

[Spectre771]

Which flavor of RM are you hosting?

standard rules. the original boxed rules. not sure what version theyr called. theyre like 30yrs old.

Sounds like RM2.  I don't think RMFRP or RMSS is that old yet.

For RM2 we used a simplified initiative as well.  d100 OE +QU bonus.  Higher initiatives could hold their action until a later turn in the round.  We eliminated the separate phases and just let matters resolve in turn.

[Druss_the_Legend]

im going with 1d20 + 1/5 stat mod. max result is 20 regardless of mods.

[HawksNut]

Mine is 2D10 + Qu bonus

Ours too. 2d10+Qu.

[HawksNut]

im going with 1d20 + 1/5 stat mod. max result is 20 regardless of mods.

I would suggest 2d10 as this will give you a bell curve on probabilities rather than equal probability. Seven through 13 will be your highest probability for the initiative roll compared with a 1d20 where a one is just as likely as a 20.

Just a thought.

[markc]

I use a custom combat system so my formula is a lot different but in terms of base RM I have use a number of things such as Qu, (Qu+Ag)/2, (Qu+Ag+Re)/3, etc. The reason why is that I feel often one stat can over balance things.
I also in RMSS have a cheep talent that will let you change the formula that I am using in various ways.
MDC

[providence13]

Modified House Rules.
This is designed to speed play. YGMV.

1. In our RMFRP games, I make players state intent. Usually this is OB/DB split, spells, maneuvers, etc.
2. Then roll init; 2d10 + Qu bonus.
3. No phases, but you can add up to 20 pts to init by taking a penalty on your first action; 3 actions max. (Bad for Spell Fumbles)
Or players can take a penalty (up to 20 pts) on init to add to their first action. Final init must be at least 1.
This allows a slower but steady attack/action/SCSM, or a quick lunge, jumping before thinking, trying to "rush" a spell, etc.

Highest init is resolved, second, third..
Changing Action is -40 to new activity. You don't have to state instant spells; they are an instinct reaction to the situation.

I have reversed steps 2 and 3 in the past, but this is how we handle it now.