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Initiative, movement, and surprise

 
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Scott
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Joined: 24 Mar 2008
Posts: 389
Location: Charleston, WV

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:05 pm    Post subject: Initiative, movement, and surprise Reply with quote

Over the course of the first few combats, I'll be evaluating the formal initiative, movement, and surprise systems I've grafted onto OD&D from Moldvay Basic.

I'm not certain something so codified is needed. For the most part, surprise, initiative, and turn orders are probably adjudicable by common sense -- factors would be taken into account such as weapon length and bulk, complexity of action, encumbrance, distance and so on. In cases where I'm not sure, I'd decide by taking Dexterity into account, or rolling a die.

For instance, if an Ogre is charging a line of polearms and archers, there's no need to roll Initiative.

I'd like to hear thoughts on this, as my tendency with OD&D (as with B/X) is to trim the formal rules back as far as possible, avoiding addition wherever possible.

As the rules won't be on display during play, this shouldn't make any narrative difference, but I know some players are more comfortable if they know there's a concrete rules structure behind the DM's adjudications. So please let me know what you think and I'll take it into account.
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