Add "delay turn"

[Oahkery]

Please add a delay turn function. It's a staple of turn-based games and simply makes sense logically.

Sometimes going first is a negative depending on the situation, so letting you delay your turn makes rolling a high initiative always a positive. Not only that, but it seems silly and doesn't make sense to say, "OK, you're a really fast character or have really good reflexes, so you have no choice but to go before all these slow people." It always made way more sense to me that high initiative meant you were fast enough or had good enough reflexes that you were in control of the flow of the battle and could look at the situation and decide it was better to go after someone who might be slower.

That's especially the case when it's something like melee characters versus ranged and the melee is in cover waiting for the ranged to approach, but since the melee is going first they just skip their turn. That makes no sense, than sitting in one spot doing nothing takes up their turn just because they rolled high initiative.

Anyway, I know delay turn isn't in 5E anymore, but it's been in every game of D&D I've ever played as a homebrew and you've made changes and your own "homebrew" rules to other things, so I don't think it's too crazy to put it in here, especially since you don't have ready actions or anything. Please add this to give a little more control over the flow of battle.

[SpiritOfTheWolf]

Even better they need a ready attack action as it works in the PHB

[Sombrero]

I'd have to hardly disagree on that one. The game offers a billion tactical options even for very squishy characters to play first and not get wrecked in turn.

Hiding in great spots for next table turn in particular is invaluable and playing first (as rogues tend to for example) can be a massive boon, even without the need to delay turns.

[Squibbles]

I disagree with a full implement of "delay turn" but I do like the idea of adding in the ability to ready a(n) (attack) action to trigger based on an ally attacking or a simple action like a character moving within a set distance. Or implementing a "hold action" feature that can be used in a similar way but would only be able to carry over your action; in combat your could use your action only in a different initiation slot.

With being able to change between characters during your turn IF they are directly next to each other in initiation order feels good as is in game right now. A "hold action" or "ready action" would be easier to balance with the current game play rather than a full delay turn.

[Włóczykij]

When analyzing the discussions, he concludes that both sides are right. Delay comparing with the assigned initiative is logical, at the same time to maintain the balance of the game, the function of delay can replace movement.

[Oahkery]

Originally posted by Sombrero:

I'd have to hardly disagree on that one. The game offers a billion tactical options even for very squishy characters to play first and not get wrecked in turn.

No one said there weren't other ways to do things, but it's really dumb to make you use your entire turn standing around in one spot for no reason. Delay turn just makes sense and has long been a part of turn-based games. It was a part of D&D until 5E. They probably won't be implementing ready actions because that would be a nightmare to program and it doesn't seem like their engine is built like that, so it would be a substitute (but both would be good). This game isn't hard, as of now (I hope and assume they'll put in something like tactician mode from the Original Sin games), so it's not a matter of difficulty or getting wrecked. I haven't had a single death in combat yet (I think I had a character go down one time). It's a matter of having options and making combat feel good. It feels bad to supposedly succeed on a roll and get a good thing (high initiative) only for that to lock you into wasting a turn on nothing.

[Pilda]

+1 Delay is always much appreciated in TB battles.

People who don't need it don't have to use it.

[Ansam]

Ready option would be nice. Currently you can only move out of order, if it's multiple allies grouped together in initiative. Or someone is still out of combat...

[Infernostrider]

i have wanted delay turn a few times now.. but i only NEEDED it ONCE

because you have to abandon the last few prisoners in the iron throne by entering the submersible with your last character -_-

[deviousity]

Just exploit Stealth detection vision cones. Stealth your whole party, even if they suck at it. Pick one character to Aggro the enemies. When combat starts the enemies will all be locked into turn based so they won't move or look around until it's their turn (edit: enemies not in combat will still continue patrolling, so watch out for those). If you're lucky you may even Surprise them. Now you can reposition and use actions in whatever order you want, as long as you act before you're spotted. Keep in mind your characters only get one action before they roll initiative. Your fast characters may not notice this, but your slow characters will get ONE action then have to wait for their initiative to finish their turn.