Another Option for Initiative

For quite a while I have been using this simple initiative system in my Home School D&D game. The system is based on characters and monsters drawing playing cards and acting in the order of the cards they have drawn: highest to lowest.

I have started playing again! And I am super psyched about D&D. I just hope we can keep the game going. The DM is kind of new to the game. I have been helping here simplify some things to keep her game moving along. The problem is that she (and I think the other players) want initiative to be an individual event rather than just a simple die roll for the whole table. My system is not really going to go well over with her group.

A while ago I read this simple little tweet from Mike Mearls. Basically, he started using a simple die rolling initiative system in his games. I think this might be a good system for her to try in her campaign.

System:

Based on reading Mike's post based, my recommendation to her are:

1. When attacking with melee weapons or thrown weapons, roll the damage die/dice of the weapon (or all weapons, totaled) being used to determine initiative.

2. When attacking with all other missile weapons except firearms, roll 1d4 to determine initiative.

3. When attacking with melee weapons from the second rank or with firearms, or casting a spell or using a magical device, roll 1d12 to determine initiative.

4. When moving, roll 1d6 and add it to all other rolls to determine initiative. If a character or monster is only moving, roll just 1d6 to determine initiative.

5. When stowing/exchanging/drawing gear or equipment, roll 1d8 and add it to all other rolls to determine initiative. If a character or monster is only stowing/exchanging/drawing gear or equipment, roll just 1d8 to determine initiative.

Modifiers:

- Characters subtract their Dexterity Adjustment.
- Characters add their Encumbrance Modifier.
- Characters wearing Heavy Armour add 4 to their Initiative Roll and those wearing Medium Armor add 2 to their Roll.

I will update this post after seeing how well this system plays in her campaign.