INITIATIVE & SURPRISE (Remastered!) - Challenging the Traditional and Spicing Up Your Game

In this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss initiative and surprise mechanics in TTRPGs. We examine how initiative and surprise work in DnD 5e and how people are using it wrong, we compare 5e to other RPGs including Pathfinder 2e and The One Ring, and we explore some variant initiative options which you might use in your own games. This episode was originally published April 6, 2022 MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes RPGBOT.News – Caleb Valorozo-Jones on Neurodiversity in TTRPGs RPGBOT.Podcast Season 2 Episode 1 – Variant Rules Dungeons and Dragons 5e Player's Handbook (affiliate link) Dungeon Master's Guide (affiliate link) Pathfinder 2e Core Rulebook (affiliate link) Gamemastery Guide (affiliate link) Other Stuff Alien RPG Easy Roller Dice's Hollow Metal Dice (affiliate link) Fantasy Flight Star Wars (affiliate link) Mörk Borg The One Ring 2e If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra Twitter: @RPGBOTDOTNET Facebook: rpgbotbotdotnet Bluesky:rpgbot.bsky.social Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games Twitter: @GravenAshes YouTube@ashravenmedia Randall James @JackAmateur Amateurjack.com Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati