A newcomer confused about Initiative [Archive] - Wizards Community

A newcomer confused about Initiative [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DreamFlange
03-07-05, 12:05 PM I received my Basic Game and Player's Handbook last Friday and had a great time playing with a couple of friends the same day. We caught on pretty quickly as we all had played numerous D&D computer games earlier. But one thing was left unclear: how is this Initiative Check supposed to be done?

I know that "the roll is d20 + Dex modifier + other modifiers", but - why is it then that the First Adventure Book and the Advanced Rulebook do not mention rolling at ALL (for the first couple of fights - then the Advanced Rulebook suddenly does without explaining anything)? It simply tells to look at the Initiative Scores for each PC and monster, then go with that order. Alright, but that only applies until Room 4: Troglodyte. It reads, "Roll initiative even if the troglodyte isn't on the dungeon tile yet." What 'roll' initiative?

I tried searching through the Handbook and found many instructions to the matter, but I can't interpret them I suppose. I roll d20 and add my Dex mod +2, then 'other modifiers' and I get a total of say 16 as I add no 'other modifiers', assuming I don't have any. Then a warrior skeleton rolls, but for some reason he has Initiative +5 while his Dex mod is +1 (13 Dex). Makes him a quick bugger. Where does the other +4 come from? A troglodyte's Initiative -1 makes sense as he has a Dex of only 9.

The Advanced Rulebook says "A character's initiative score equals 10 plus his Dexterity bonus or penalty." I noticed that, as I mentioned just now. That makes sense when you look at Regdar's character sheet, for example. Dex modifier +1, initiative total 11. But in which cases are you supposed to use the Initiative roll instead of just looking at these scores?

I'm mixed up pretty nicely. :D I made dozens of questions there, so if someone could please simply explain how does this thing work. Thank you for your time and patience.
Arrowhen
03-07-05, 12:16 PM First off, I bid you a hearty welcome to the game and to these boards. Now, on to your questions...

I tried searching through the Handbook and found many instructions to the matter, but I can't interpret them I suppose. I roll d20 and add my Dex mod +2, then 'other modifiers' and I get a total of say 16 as I add no 'other modifiers', assuming I don't have any. Then a warrior skeleton rolls, but for some reason he has Initiative +5 while his Dex mod is +1 (13 Dex). Makes him a quick bugger. Where does the other +4 come from? A troglodyte's Initiative -1 makes sense as he has a Dex of only 9.

You are, indeed, rolling initiative correctly. The warrior skeleton has the Improved Initiative feat, which grants a +4 bonus to the initiative roll.

But in which cases are you supposed to use the Initiative roll instead of just looking at these scores?
I haven't looked through the Basic Set, but I imagine it simplifies a lot of the mechanics for first time players. In standard D&D, you always roll initiative.

It seems like you're catching on just fine; the problem seems to stem from the differences between the simplified Basic Set rules and the actual D&D rules. It sounds like they could have done a better job of transitioning players into the actual game after they're done with the Basic Set.
Morwen
03-07-05, 12:18 PM The other +4 almost certainly comes from a feat called Improved Initiative, which adds +4 to your Initiative checks. Check to see if the Skeleton has that feat.

I assume the reason the game lets you use just the modifier for the first chapters is because the author didn't want you to need to learn everything at once. At chapter 4, the author probably figured you had learned most of the basic rules, and so the initiative roll is added.

As you've figured out, you're supposed roll a d20, add your Dex modifier and any other modifiers you've got to determine your initiative for the encounter :)
Sinon
03-07-05, 12:30 PM Already covered
DreamFlange
03-07-05, 01:30 PM Excellent, thank you both very much. I was indeed suspecting that the Advanced Rulebook (which is included in the Basic Game box) is simplifying the rules a little. All clear.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DreamFlange 03-07-05, 12:05 PM	I received my Basic Game and Player's Handbook last Friday and had a great time playing with a couple of friends the same day. We caught on pretty quickly as we all had played numerous D&D computer games earlier. But one thing was left unclear: how is this Initiative Check supposed to be done? I know that "the roll is d20 + Dex modifier + other modifiers", but - why is it then that the First Adventure Book and the Advanced Rulebook do not mention rolling at ALL (for the first couple of fights - then the Advanced Rulebook suddenly does without explaining anything)? It simply tells to look at the Initiative Scores for each PC and monster, then go with that order. Alright, but that only applies until Room 4: Troglodyte. It reads, "Roll initiative even if the troglodyte isn't on the dungeon tile yet." What 'roll' initiative? I tried searching through the Handbook and found many instructions to the matter, but I can't interpret them I suppose. I roll d20 and add my Dex mod +2, then 'other modifiers' and I get a total of say 16 as I add no 'other modifiers', assuming I don't have any. Then a warrior skeleton rolls, but for some reason he has Initiative +5 while his Dex mod is +1 (13 Dex). Makes him a quick bugger. Where does the other +4 come from? A troglodyte's Initiative -1 makes sense as he has a Dex of only 9. The Advanced Rulebook says "A character's initiative score equals 10 plus his Dexterity bonus or penalty." I noticed that, as I mentioned just now. That makes sense when you look at Regdar's character sheet, for example. Dex modifier +1, initiative total 11. But in which cases are you supposed to use the Initiative roll instead of just looking at these scores? I'm mixed up pretty nicely. :D I made dozens of questions there, so if someone could please simply explain how does this thing work. Thank you for your time and patience.
Arrowhen 03-07-05, 12:16 PM	First off, I bid you a hearty welcome to the game and to these boards. Now, on to your questions... I tried searching through the Handbook and found many instructions to the matter, but I can't interpret them I suppose. I roll d20 and add my Dex mod +2, then 'other modifiers' and I get a total of say 16 as I add no 'other modifiers', assuming I don't have any. Then a warrior skeleton rolls, but for some reason he has Initiative +5 while his Dex mod is +1 (13 Dex). Makes him a quick bugger. Where does the other +4 come from? A troglodyte's Initiative -1 makes sense as he has a Dex of only 9. You are, indeed, rolling initiative correctly. The warrior skeleton has the Improved Initiative feat, which grants a +4 bonus to the initiative roll. But in which cases are you supposed to use the Initiative roll instead of just looking at these scores? I haven't looked through the Basic Set, but I imagine it simplifies a lot of the mechanics for first time players. In standard D&D, you always roll initiative. It seems like you're catching on just fine; the problem seems to stem from the differences between the simplified Basic Set rules and the actual D&D rules. It sounds like they could have done a better job of transitioning players into the actual game after they're done with the Basic Set.
Morwen 03-07-05, 12:18 PM	The other +4 almost certainly comes from a feat called Improved Initiative, which adds +4 to your Initiative checks. Check to see if the Skeleton has that feat. I assume the reason the game lets you use just the modifier for the first chapters is because the author didn't want you to need to learn everything at once. At chapter 4, the author probably figured you had learned most of the basic rules, and so the initiative roll is added. As you've figured out, you're supposed roll a d20, add your Dex modifier and any other modifiers you've got to determine your initiative for the encounter :)
Sinon 03-07-05, 12:30 PM	Already covered
DreamFlange 03-07-05, 01:30 PM	Excellent, thank you both very much. I was indeed suspecting that the Advanced Rulebook (which is included in the Basic Game box) is simplifying the rules a little. All clear.