Mythmaker's Improved Initiative
Streamlined Variant Rules for D&D 5e
Improved Initiative
Many brewers and DMs have attempted to improve or completely overhaul 5e's initiative system. While the system has its strengths, there are some core weaknesses as well.
These changes aim to address two of those major weaknesses: the one-dimensional nature of the initiative modifier, and the inability to efficiently coordinated player actions.
Ideally, these changes are highly streamlined and add very little complexity to actual play.
Initiative Modifier
Your initiative modifier is no longer tied to one attribute (Dexterity), but instead to three (Dexterity, Wisdom, Intelligence). Compare each of the three attributes to the table below, adding together the bonus for each attribute to find your initiative modifier.
| Attribute Score | Bonus |
|---|---|
| 9- | -1 |
| 10+ | 0 |
| 13+ | +1 |
| 15+ | +2 |
| 17+ | +3 |
The same rule applies to the initiative modifier of NPCs and monsters to keep encounters balanced, although a DM can always overrule the bonus for an enemy to any value they see fit on a case by case basis.
Rolling initiative is still considered an ability check, counting as either a Dexterity, Wisdom, or Intelligence ability check (your choice).
Optional Addendum
If your Dexterity modifier is greater than the initiative modifier you would gain from this feature, use your Dexterity modifier as your initiative modifier instead.
Class Features
Class features such as a Rogue Swashbuckler's "Rakish Audacity" remain unchanged.
Initiative Ties
The rules for resolving an initiative tie remain unchanged.
Turn Order Options
Use these two simple additions to the rules for turn order to allow players to better coordinate their actions without needing to completely overhaul how turn order works in 5e.
Delay
At the start of a character's turn, it can choose to delay the rest of its turn, reducing its initiative by any amount. The delay lasts for the remainder of combat. Start of turn effects occur before this delay takes effect. A creature can not delay if it is incapacitated.
Coordinated Turns
Two or more friendly creatures who would act on the same count in initiative can choose to take their turns as a coordinated turn. During a coordinated turn, a participating creature can interject a part of its turn into the turn of another participating creature at any time, allowing creatures to mix and match the order of their actions, movement, and more.
During a coordinated turn, start of turn and end of turn effects still occur at their normal times. When a coordinated turn begins, participating creatures choose what order their start and end of turn effects resolve.
Example
Tim the Bard and Velda the Paladin are fighting a few orcs. Tim rolls a higher initiative, but chooses to delay so he can coordinate his turn with Velda. On their coordinated turn, first, Tim moves towards Velda, then uses his bonus action to give Bardic Inspiration to Velda. Then, Velda moves towards an enemy and takes the Attack action against it. After the attacks are resolved, Tim uses his action to cast Sleep on the creature, which now has low enough hit points to be affected thanks to Velda's attacks.
Special Thanks
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Mythmaker's Homebrew is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
FAQ
Why change the modifier at all?
Partly to make Dexterity less of a super stat and add focus to Wisdom and Intelligence. Also to improve the turn order curve so that PCs act before grunts more often, and before elites/bosses less often.
Why grant bonuses at odd integers?
By rewarding odd numbered ability scores, min-maxing to even numbered scores isn't always optimal. This encourages more diverse character building paths.
Why use Wis and Int?
Thematically, Wisdom conveys how sharp your senses are and how quickly you can gain a picture of the events around you. Intelligence measures your ability to swiftly make sense of an ensuing battle amidst the chaos and formulate a plan of action. Both attributes contribute towards a character keeping its composure, while a low wis/int character might panic or hesitate, even if it is physically quick and dexterous.
This seems too complex...
In terms of simplicity, you only need to calculate your initiative mod when you create your character or when your attributes change, so it's no more complicated during play than the existing rules.
Does this make intelligent enemies too strong?
Intelligent enemies will overall have greater initiative than before, while less intelligent enemies will have lower initiative. This results in a curve where, on average, a PC should be more likely to act before brutish grunt enemies, but less likely to act before elite or boss enemies.
If you wish for certain beasts or similar creatures not to suffer lower initiative, use this feature: Instinctive - This creature adds its Wisdom modifier to its initiative (in addition to its normal bonus)
Does this create class imbalance?
In terms of PC vs PC, this does slightly boost classes that favor Wis and Int, while slightly nerfing Dex reliant classes (except when using the optional addendum). However, in terms of PC vs NPC, this generally enhances the ability for PCs to act before NPCs.