Dumb initiative question

[ceallach66]

Another newbie question...

The initiative rules state that if the initiative d10 roll is tied, the dexterity should be compared. But what is the dexterity of a monster? I know the Saves entry ('P', 'M' or 'Both') indicates what attributes are Primes, but how do I tell (or estimate) what their dexterity is to compare with the PC's dexterity?

Thanks in advance!

[Jynx]

I'm not sure about the official ruling onthis, but why not just re-roll between tied opponents?

[moriarty777]

Jynx wrote:
I'm not sure about the official ruling onthis, but why not just re-roll between tied opponents?

That's what I've always done... even if it's between characters. It's just quicker that way.

Moriarty the Red
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[Dangersaurus]

ceallach66 wrote:
Another newbie question...

The initiative rules state that if the initiative d10 roll is tied, the dexterity should be compared. But what is the dexterity of a monster? I know the Saves entry ('P', 'M' or 'Both') indicates what attributes are Primes, but how do I tell (or estimate) what their dexterity is to compare with the PC's dexterity?

Thanks in advance!

A) Roll 3d6. If the creature is described as swift or dextrous in any way, roll 2d6+6.

B) If the PC has a decent Dex, "let the wookie win" and don't worry about it. PC goes first, and has a little spark of joy.

C) Reroll. As suggested, quickest & easiest.

EDIT:

D) One of the few cool things in the 2.5E Player's Option stuff was a table of strange occurances that happen whenever initiatives are tied. Some sort of change to the battlefield, some minor modifier to one or both sides, etc.

[BASH MAN]

I always assume monsters stats are 12s unless they get bonus damage or something like that (which would indicate a higher str score) So a PC with a 13 would win intitiative, one with an 11 or less would lose to the monster.
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[Maliki]

In case of a tie, you just allow simultaneous actions to occur.

Normally I allow PCs to go first, but I may be too nice as a CK.
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[Rigon]

Maliki wrote:
In case of a tie, you just allow simultaneous actions to occur.

That's how I usually handle it, but I may go with highest Dex goeas first to see how that works.

R-
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[gideon_thorne]

ceallach66 wrote:
Another newbie question...

The initiative rules state that if the initiative d10 roll is tied, the dexterity should be compared. But what is the dexterity of a monster? I know the Saves entry ('P', 'M' or 'Both') indicates what attributes are Primes, but how do I tell (or estimate) what their dexterity is to compare with the PC's dexterity?

Thanks in advance!

Might just add the critters # of HD to the number 12. That might work for most situations, on the rare times it comes up.
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[Treebore]

In the case of ties I just allow the PC to go first.
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[serleran]

Since monsters do not have Dexterity scores, they cannot be compared. Hence, PCs always go first in such cases, when trying to determine between party vs monsters. When competing monsters with the same initiative fight, the one with P Prime would be first; if both are P, generally, compare the size and movement... the smaller, faster one goes first.

That is as by-the-book as possible, assuming no special cases like reach weapons (polearms or missile attacks) which may always strike first.

However, I would houserule this to be: simultaneous. Its more dramatic.

[ceallach66]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will probably just house-rule it to be simultaneous...

[Tadhg]

Against monsters, PCs always break ties and go first.

If it's human/demi-human against same , then highest dex goes first!

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[Traveller]

I simply roll the monster's dexterity on the spot and do the initiative sequence from there. Of course, I don't use C&C's initiative rules so I don't have the creatures without a dexterity score problem.
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[huds0n]

We've always done it this way in our game:

Everyone rolls initiative.

Any ties between PC's are rolled again to break the tie.

Any ties between PC's and enemies are done simultaneously, with the PC acting first. Even if the PCs action(s) results in the enemy dying, he still gets his action as it is seen as both characters going at the same time.
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[seskis281]

I add a +1, +2 or -1, -2 to monsters initiative based on their move rate and the circumstances of the encounter (as in I mentally assign an Initiative modifier as I go or sometimes when I prepare a module or adventure), then I let ties go to the PCs. When I get to the point of greater monsters, I may add "unique initiative" to Dragons and the like which gives them ties and a larger 1st round bonus.
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[Omote]

In my games, PCs go first when tied with monsters. Like above, since monsters don't have or need dex scores, they don;t have a score to compare therefore ties go to players.

........................................Omote

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[Nelzie]

I go with simultaneous actions.

This can be very dramatic as others have said, if both opposing characters attack and simultaneously nick the final hit points off of one another, both fall dead/dying in a heroicly tragic fashion.

It can be a very cool story effect.
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