#dnd tip for DMs: instead of rolling initiative for monsters, put them into initiative order based on story or battle impact. If a monster/NPC needs to act first for story reasons, do that. Let the minions go last to react to the heroes, as they should.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) November 12, 2018

I usually roll, but sometimes flub to ensure there’s a spread of monster actions interspersed between player actions. This right here. I love to see a good mix of action, instead of all at once. But if we want #dnd combats to also be great stories, we often have to become great directors. It is OK to script the action a bit, as long as it is done fairly.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) November 12, 2018

At our table, we generally agree that actions cannot be readied until after initiative is rolled. I think the table perceives that to do otherwise would be unfair to PCs, on balance. I will stay out of that discussion! 😉

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) November 12, 2018

I find this punishes players who spent character resources into initiative modifiers. A good theory but beware of robbing agency and punishing build choices. In some groups this is the way to go but not safe as a blanket statement. Sure. I am not saying do it all the time. I am not saying hose the characters. Characters with +10 init mods, rolling nat 20s, shouldn't get moved down. Some adjustments in some cases makes the story and the logistics of a combat more pleasing for everyone.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) November 13, 2018

This seems like playing with🔥to me. I can just hear my PCs QQing “DM screwjob!” when I slide a monster above their initiative. If you’re going to do this you should probably roll and then fudge as needed I just as often move monsters down the order. If I roll well and a bunch of minions would jam a doorway and make the combat a boring slog, I push them down to allow the characters to access the room and improve the combat. But again, this is about story, not winning or losing.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) November 12, 2018

#dnd tip for everyone: flanking to gain advantage is an optional rule in 5e. If you use it for your group, and then play with others, don't be surprised if it is not used. This is a big one when I run in public for strangers.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) October 26, 2018

Optional rules are awesome. I give flanking a pass because I find combat becomes a flanking contest rather than a series of epic moves.

I’m sure it works well for some. I noticed this as well. I think I even blogged about it once.

— Shawn Merwin @ PAXU (almost) (@shawnmerwin) October 27, 2018