help with initiative

[smanj440]

I understand how initiative works in a turn based game. I am wondering how it is implemented in this game? When I pause the game to give commands, should I be looking at each player and enemies initiative/timer prior to assigning actions? Did Baldur's Gate have the same type of system? Because I don't recall initiative even being present in that game.Thanks for any help

[Mork]

No you don't have to look at the initiative in RTwP but there a few things to know and to look out for.

Heavy armor tank will most likely be flat-footed at the start of the combat and it's where they get hit the most. A dex tank has higher initiative in general but lose a lot more ac when flat-footed.
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/Gamemastering/conditions/#TOC-Flat-Footed

When using charge, the character will wait until it's his turn and then charge. Similar with spells and abilities.

[THAC0]

Originally posted by smanj440:

I understand how initiative works in a turn based game. I am wondering how it is implemented in this game? When I pause the game to give commands, should I be looking at each player and enemies initiative/timer prior to assigning actions? Did Baldur's Gate have the same type of system? Because I don't recall initiative even being present in that game.Thanks for any help

it dosnt, This game has alot of useless features unless you go off and add mods or such, Initive is one of thouse things it dosnt do squat.

This game took the lazy way on things.

[smanj440]

thanks

[Tuidjy]

Originally posted by THAC0:

Originally posted by smanj440:

I understand how initiative works in a turn based game

it dosnt, This game has alot of useless features unless you go off and add mods or such, Initive is one of thouse things it dosnt do squat.

That is not my experience.

Initiative matters a lot in the first round of combat.

Being caught flat-footed is terrible for characters who rely on dexterity or intelligence for their AC. Rushing forward with a character who rolled low on initiative is a bad, bad idea.

Conversely, closing with an enemy who rolled low, and hammering him while he is flatfooted works wonders. I have a sword saint duelist who does this every round, as he has feats that enable him to take 20 for initiative. Add the extra initiative bonuses, and he is pretty much guaranteed to catch people flat-footed.

[CHAO$$$]

Initiative matters for sure. Its affected by dex and various other things like feats and familiars. Its even more important when you cant prebuff during certain encounters - landing clutch aoe CC in those encounters is invaluable.

You roll initiative only on the first round. After that every character takes the same amount of time to finish their round so order never changes.

As others pointed out you are flat footed until you have taken your first action in combat. This is especially relevant for tanks in the early game. In general it is advisable to pull your main tank back until he can act so he doesnt get attacked when flat footed.

Note that flat footed will not only allow enemies to deny your dodge AC but also allow to roll sneak attack damage when applicable.

[smanj440]

good info - thanks