(OOC) General Discussion

There is some humor in the first coming up the steps both getting nat 20 initiative.

I would say irony but yeah, that's a good observation.

@HeroOfSometimes: Have a great time at Wolf Lodge with the fam!

How do you want combat to run?
I know some DMs allow everyone to post their turns ASAP then the DM sorts out the order later. It speeds up combat a little bit.

I have seen others work in groups. So everyone before Colab 1 takes their turn. DM takes a few characters turns, and then the next group goes.

I’m great with block initiative, like you just described (everyone before Colab 1 takes their turn etc). This kind of format, it’s just best if we can get those posts in when we can.

And here I jump in with a weird turn that's designed to stall the orc until everyone can get upstairs.

My two cents for play-by-post, I don't like people taking their turn in a block before all other turns including GMs' have completed in order....

That is using guesswork before you know what situation will exist on your turn, IMHO, and then you have to change your 'anticipated' move into a newer more feasible one... so in the end you haven't actually saved time or effort.

You need to allow for creative interrupting tactics (Readied actions) like Jasir's, and allow for some targets to change position or be taken out of the fight somehow (including fleeing).

Not to mention if you let GM update first, you may be able to speak important update-delivering dialogue on your turn like Greemology has been doing. =)

Iunno, I'm pretty easy either way. I can see blocks making sense for efficiencies sake but Mica also makes a really solid point.

I like to decide what my character does and how they do it.

That being said, if the majority would like to try out doing blocks, we can try it out.

I'm thinking an easy way to keep the efficiency without losing too much time would be if the flow of battle would change your action, you would either A. Get pushed back in initiative or B. I'll act for you, taking your previous action into account and attempting to further whatever goal you were aiming at. Obviously, A. Being the most viable option.

And it's quite possible we're over thinking it and it won't be such a big deal. 🤷‍♂️

Iunno, I'm open to ideas / discussion.

I'm fine with whatever is chosen. It's hard for me to imagine that blocks will be much faster than what we've been doing so far. I similarly am disposed towards flexibility as Mica mentioned, but I recognize that I am also biased due to Jasir's abilities being geared towards control. I'm happy to adapt to whatever works best for everyone, though.

While I prefer individual non-block based initiatives, because they allow for combat to evolve more organically. It can be a pain to wait for the next person to post, if say, they are at work for most of the day. I've played in both style of game and I'm not 100% convinced either way, I just lean towards the individual as more fun slightly.

Block initiative or any form of 'posting in anticipation of your turn, rather than on your turn' is about SPEED and simplicity, yes?

It's speediest and simplest therefore, methinks, that--should it happen that a player has 'posted in anticipation' and that choice the PC made is no longer valid, or might provoke an Attack of Opportunity that it would not previously have provoked--that the GM get to use option B mentioned earlier, which is to drop the player's initiative count lower.


IMHO, an early as possible initiative order is an advantage not to be lightly given up.


I say all this as someone who doesn't anticipate any trouble posting at various hours of the day, though. I don't like posting on my phone but I have the option if I'm traveling, and during work hours I always have computer access. -\\(''))//-

I am fine with which ever way.
There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Some of the more technical classes it might be easier to take your turn when it is your turn. The others that are just run up and smack them can do their's whenever it makes sense.

Having a set contingency in place if Action A) doesn't work always go to Action B)
Or as GM make action A) make sense uses it how ever.
Your target died so move onto the next target.
Target to far away move to another or use full movement.

If at all possible I'd like to avoid the GM needing to take a player's turn in a way that involves any interpretation and improvisation on his part.

It's more work on the GM's shoulders and already full plate with so many NPCs or environment factors to control, it is NOT fun trying to strategize against yourself when you possess classified NPC knowledge, and the GM's interpretation of the player's will might not be how the player would have wanted to improvise when it's said and done.

Maybe there are three assailants, one goes down, and the player would've wanted to focus on the tougher OR the weaker (OR the one closest to OR farthest from other PCs) after that first one was no longer a valid target--and now the GM has to guess, that's just one example.


I've been down the road as GM of taking a player's turn and posting for them and I cannot recommend it.


I particularly got pushback on what square I put a PC in when I had taken their turn for them, but that wasn't even the worst of it. Just sayin' and obviously it is GM's call.

Yea, I'd prefer not to be changing anyone's actions. I'm just spit balling. I personnally could go either direction. Just want to come to a solution we can either all be happy with or at least accept and not have it ruin the game.

@WhiteDwarf Sorry, forgot to respond about your knowledge roll. You get 2 pieces of info for your roll. Just let me know what you want them to be.

I want it to be known, that I do not like doing this from my phone. Lol. I have misposted twice today. Messed up like three posts that I had to go back and fix. I miss my computer.

Kids are having fun though. 👍

No good answer but most take block over personal INIT just to save time but real sometimes it doesn't do that as some want to see what others do before their actions. To me, as GM. I would take which you feel you want to deal with best as you can't please all. Personally, I just go down the INIT list one after the other. And it takes what it takes in time. Whole reason we have personal INIT and most players look at that rating even as they build their characters and it really only matters for personal INIT rolls as block ignores personal INIT.

How about this:
Let's stick with doing it one by one. You can post ahead of time, and if your action still makes sense when your turn comes, yay! Efficiency! If it doesn't, then correct the action.

Any issues with that?

One by one, corrections made by player (in proper initiative order) when needed--aye aye!

@Mica_pun_worthy Let's keep the OoC discussions out of the game thread.

Now I see, the door is not the stairs. Going in a straight line, you could make it to m10 on main floor map. If you need me to lighten up the map, I can do that, lol. I just trying to convey the low-light. Guess I did it too well.

Edit: for further clarification, bran, the token at the bottom of the cellar map, is on the foot of the stairs.