Monster DEXTERITY and Initiative in C&C

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:22 pm

C&C initiative states that a 1D10 is rolled and highest roll acts first. In the event of a tie, the opponents compare DEX scores with the highest DEX acting first. In the event of tied DEX scores, the opponent's actions are handled simultaneously.

Monsters don't have DEX scores, so how do you guys handle that ?

Is there a baseline statistic that could be used from the Monster Manual to determine the equivalent of a DEX score for the purposes of combat ?

It would have been nice to see some kind of note in Monsters & Treasures which lists:
"For the purposes of initiative, creature XXX is considered to have a DEX score of XX."

Combat_Kyle · Post by **Combat_Kyle** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:28 pm

Simple, I let the players win all ties for monsters without Dex scores. Now since most of my BBEGs are NPCs they have Dex scores.
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DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:39 pm

I handle it exactly like Kyle does.

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:57 pm

serleran wrote:
Technically, since monsters don't have Dexterity scores, they always lose ties.

Serleran, you and Danger Dwarf are freaking me out....You guys keep following me over here from Dragonsfoot. I'm going to get a restraining order!

Anyway, I responded over on Dragonsfoot that I didn't think that made sense considering real-world equivalents like the Tiger and the Wolf, which would always tend to act faster than a human.

Just my opinion though.

DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:58 pm

I'm not a stalker. Besides, the last 10 restraining orders filed against me never made me stop.

OK....maybe I am a stalker.

Damn....

DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:00 am

Yeah, and your citation of tigers and such being quicker does make sense and is somehting I had considered. But, largely, I opt for quick and easy in combat. Although I imagine in some instances I'd have the critter win ties (quicklings).

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:09 am

While generally, I agree with you both that quick combat resolution is better, I just have a hard time reasoning that Wolves, Tigers, and the like would not stand at least some chance of beating a character when the prowess of both was matched via a tied roll.

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:16 am

serleran wrote:
This question has popped its head about ten times, so I'll just be succinct:

Have the Trolls collected a rules FAQ for this kind of stuff ?

Not everyone reads the forums as often as you or I (or apparently Danger Dwarf ).

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:23 am

As far as I know there isn't a FAQ for stuff like this. I believe that the idea is, all that stuff is pretty much up to the DM at the end of the day. I just use a mental list going from

really slow (always go last) --> average (+0 to init) --> fast (+HD/2)

With inits inbetween those 3 major points as well...
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:32 am

I've always eyeballed tied initiative scores. Most monsters I give a DEX score of 10.5 (3d6) to. For monsters that are obviously more skilled in combat / dex I give a 1 4 (4d6) to. To monsters that are notorious for being slow or unagile, I give a 7 (2d6) dex. Most monsters have a 10.5 in my games though for ease of figuring.

So far has worked perfectly.

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

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PeelSeel2 · Post by **PeelSeel2** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 1:59 am

I roll 1d10. Ties are simultaneous. Dex does not come into play.
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Rigon · Post by **Rigon** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 2:24 am

PeelSeel2 wrote:
I roll 1d10. Ties are simultaneous. Dex does not come into play.

Heck yeah. Why should PCs get all the breaks?
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Dristram · Post by **Dristram** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 2:24 am

I used to look at the monster and character and use common sense and make a quick decision.

But I like PeelSeel's way better and I will try it out for the next game. Simultaneous attacks sound cool and from my experience is European martial arts, simultaneous attacks happen A LOT.

Now that I think further on it, the d10 initiative in C&C is very much an abstraction. And since Dex doesn't adjust the initiative result, Dex really shouldn't play a part in ties. Ties just mean simultaneous results. I like that!

Thanks PeelSeel!

moriarty777 · Post by **moriarty777** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 2:29 am

serleran wrote:
...The CKG is going to have method(s) for determining monstrous attributes, as I've been told.

One more reason to make want the CKG even more... ARG...

Moriarty the Red
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DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:09 am

Rigon wrote:
Heck yeah. Why should PCs get all the breaks?

It's a percieved break. They see that and think:

"You know...our CK is great, always looking out for us. In the event of a tie he gives us the benefit of the doubt. Yeah, he's good."

Lull them into a false sense of security with a slight initiative edge then smash their hope and dreams like the despots we really are. It makes their cries of despair ever more sweet as they lay sobbing on the floor whining about:

"I thought we were friends!"

Mwuahahahaha *hack* hahaha*sputter* hahaha Cough* hah!

Sorry, sometimes I get a little maniacal.

babbage · Post by **babbage** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:45 am

Someone get DangerDwarf a glass of water! And his pills.
I use a straight d10, not mods (except situational ones) - and ties are ties. Very similar to PeelSeel2.

Rigon · Post by **Rigon** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:50 am

DangerDwarf wrote:
It's a percieved break. They see that and think:

"You know...our CK is great, always looking out for us. In the event of a tie he gives us the benefit of the doubt. Yeah, he's good."

Lull them into a false sense of security with a slight initiative edge then smash their hope and dreams like the despots we really are. It makes their cries of despair ever more sweet as they lay sobbing on the floor whining about:

"I thought we were friends!"

Mwuahahahaha *hack* hahaha*sputter* hahaha Cough* hah!

Sorry, sometimes I get a little maniacal.

I like how your mind works.

R-
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