Version 2.2 Initiative

[recon35]

Can someone explain the Initiative Calculation in Ver. 2.2 to me please? The book states that regulars roll 1d6, reservists roll 1d6+2 rounded up, and draftees roll 1d6+2 rounded down, but re-roll results of 0. To this, rangers and SF types add 1.

OK, first of all, how can you get a result of "0" on a 1d6+2 rounded down? I'm guessing typo. Did they mean 1d6-2?

Secondly, why would reservists have better initiative potential than regulars? Weekend Warriors just that much more hype to be getting shot at?

Lastly, back to the rounding. What am I rounding? Am I supposed to add this die result to something then divide? Otherwise, I'm not rounding, I'm just rolling a dice and adding 2, plus or minus 1 depending on MOS.

Please help!

[swaghauler]

Can someone explain the Initiative Calculation in Ver. 2.2 to me please? The book states that regulars roll 1d6, reservists roll 1d6+2 rounded up, and draftees roll 1d6+2 rounded down, but re-roll results of 0. To this, rangers and SF types add 1.

OK, first of all, how can you get a result of "0" on a 1d6+2 rounded down? I'm guessing typo. Did they mean 1d6-2?

Secondly, why would reservists have better initiative potential than regulars? Weekend Warriors just that much more hype to be getting shot at?

Lastly, back to the rounding. What am I rounding? Am I supposed to add this die result to something then divide? Otherwise, I'm not rounding, I'm just rolling a dice and adding 2, plus or minus 1 depending on MOS.

Please help!

You are correct in believing they meant something different. It is 1D6 DIVIDED by 2.

[swaghauler]

I have been using a modified version of Initiative Generation where you add AGL, INT, and a roll together and consult a chart like the one below (I made this for V2 as I use V2.2 and its 1D20 roll).

AGL, INT & 1D10 Roll = Initiative Score
03 to 05 = 1 Initiative
06 to 10 = 2 Initiative
11 to 15 = 3 Initiative
16 to 22 = 4 Initiative
23 to 27 = 5 Initiative
28 to 30 = 6 Initiative

You can obviously make your own chart but I would recommend one where the scale favors higher Initiatives as that score is very important during play. Even with repetitive actions, characters with a very low score are essentially "dead men walking" in combat.

You can also "randomized initiative" by rolling 1D6 each round and adding the player's initiative to that score. You then DIVIDE the aggregate score by TWO (always rounding up) to give you a randomized number from 1 to 6 BUT favoring higher Initiatives.

One other thing you may find during play is the "Flash character." This character has an initiative of 6 or even 7 and ALWAYS ACTS FIRST. Following the RAW rules, he will often get 5 shots and can eliminate an entire enemy patrol BY HIMSELF if you play RAW Initiative BTB.

The "cure" for this is to treat each INITIATIVE STEP as a "mini-round" where EVERYONE who can act does something (either ONE attack, a move, or other action). This means that "The Flash" will be exchanging fire with the opposition on a Step by Step basis instead of all of his fire taking place on Step 6 (or 7). I keep track of who can act when by giving my players chips (bullets, poker chips or even checkers pieces can work here). Each time someone acts, they surrender a chip. Forced Hesitations (from suppression & wounding) also require the surrender of a chip. When you run out of chips, you run out of actions. I would also consider each INITIATIVE STEP as about 1 SECOND'S worth of activity for keeping track of timers and hand grenade fuse delays.

For more options on initiative, search for Admiral Lee's thread "Thoughts on Initiative." There are other forum members thoughts on Initiative located there.

[recon35]

Thank you Swag. My old eyes read the divide as plus. I’m using your system, though. I like it!

[swaghauler]

Thank you Swag. My old eyes read the divide as plus. I’m using your system, though. I like it!

I'm glad you find it useful. I would add some other suggestions if you want to use the ideas I have put forth.

First, You as the GM, MUST decide how damage will affect Initiative in YOUR game. I reduce its effects in MY game. A Scratch Wound (which I refer to as a Light Wound if you read my other posts) takes 1 action BUT only for the round in which you get hit. This "loss" is NOT constant until healed. A Slight Wound (which I refer to as a Moderate Wound) DOES CONSTANTLY REDUCE INITIATIVE BY 1 UNTIL HEALED. A Serious Wound (I use the same) causes a loss of 2 Initiative until healed (down from RAW's 3). Finally, a Critical Wound reduces Initiative by 4 in my game (down from RAW's 5). I have found this reduction in effects has made my smaller parties (4 players or less) more survivable because fewer players are "disabled" by damage.

(Stealing a cool line from TW2K13) Ahhh Sweet, Sweet Morphine!

I also let the "medic" in a group intervene by "eliminating" the Initiative penalty with painkillers. A Minor Oral Painkiller like Asprin or Ibuprophin can negate the penalty for a Light Wound. An Oral Painkiller like Percoset or prescription Codoene can remove the Moderate Wound penalty. A more powerful Oral medication Like Oxycontin or a Minor Injectable Painkiller like the Novacaine/Lidocaine (used by dentists and wound clinics) will reduce a Serious Wound penalty to -1 Initiative. It takes Demeral (oral or injected) or Morphine to reduce a Critical Wound's Initiative reduction by 1 point.

Second, YOU must decide if you are going to apply those penalties BEFORE or AFTER the roll for Initiative IF you are using the Randomized Initiative system. Applying them BEFORE you divide the roll & Initiative in half REDUCES the effect of the reductions during play. Applying the Reductions AFTER the roll has been divided will produce a greater negative effect on play. The choice you make should hinge on the type of play you are trying to engender. Are you going for over the top epic action like Die Hard 4 or are you trying to depict a gritty harsh reality like Tears of The Sun? If "Gritty" defines you, put the penalty on AFTER the total of roll and Initiative score are divided by 2.

Third, organization is your friend. I actually use FOUR Initiative Step Records during a game. These records are laminated sheets with (in my case) TEN large numbered boxes on them. Each box represents ONE 1-Second Initiative Step and I write who is doing what in each box. I use TEN boxes (even though Initiative is capped at 7) because I have animals which can exceed Human maximum and I also play Dark Conspiracy and SEVERAL supernatural creatures are faster than men. The reason I have 4 Records is that:
- I keep the Previous Round as a reference, and in case of disputes about what happened when.
- I write up the Current Round as the players declare what they are doing.
- I record actions that "roll over" or conclude in the Following Round on a third sheet (handy for Frag grenade delays on their 1D3+2 second fuses). This round becomes the Current Round Sheet when the actual Current Round ends (that sheet becoming the Previous Round Sheet at that point).
-I have a player erase the Previous Round Sheet (so I can reuse it) when the round advances (the 4th sheet can rotate in here too).

Fourth, If you decide to treat each Initiative Step as a separate "mini round," you must use something to separate actions in EACH STEP. That system is the Weapon Speed system addressed in V2.2 (I can't remember if V2 used this). Of course, I changed this too. Here is how I do it in my current campaign and it works very well.

Base Weapon Speed (hereafter WS): Your character's base WS is INITIATIVE SCORE + AGL. This WS is modified downwards by your weapon's WS Modifier (based on Bulk) and any wounds you have sustained.

Weapon Speed Modifiers by Bulk You divide the weapon's overall length by 15cm (or 150mm) and round up to the TENTHS place (ie a bulk of 1.23 would be rounded to 1.3) ala the V2 Small Arms Guide. This Bulk Score is then modified to get the Weapon Speed Modifier. All Heavy weapons, Rifles, Assault Rifles, Machineguns, Sniper Rifles, and Projectile weapons ROUND UP their "Bulk scores" (the tenths part) to get the Weapon Speed modifier. All Pistols, SMGs, and Shotguns ROUND DOWN (minimum of 1) Their Bulk scores to get their modifiers. Punches have a Modifier of -1 and kicks have a -2 modifier. People just moving have NO Modifier. Complex Actions (running a fire control, using the radio etc...) will be GM's Ruling.

If a person has a WS MORE THAN 5 HIGHER than his opponent, he can affect his opponent with the attack launched in that STEP (perhaps preventing his opponent from killing him in return). If the WS is less than 5 points apart, the attacks are both resolved as simultaneous attacks.

Wound & ENC Effects on WS: The following penalties apply on the various Wound Levels and for carrying too much weight.
Light (scratch) Wound: -1 until healed.
Moderate (slight) Wound: -2
Serious Wound: -4
Critical Wound: -8
Per Level of FATIGUE (beware the Flu): -1
Heavy Encumbrance: -1
Burdened: -2
Overburdened: -3

It is ok to go to negative numbers (your only comparing these against others acting in the same Step). Painkillers will give DOUBLE the relief to WS.

Hopefully, this "expansion" will help overcome any initial issues you might have in your upcoming game. I have used these for two years now and they are well proven.