Basic Fantasy RPG Forums

Hi all,

Just downloaded the PDF and was looking through the combat rules.

I noticed that characters add their Dexterity bonus to Initiative. Monsters don't have DEX, and I didn't see anything that listed an Initiative Bonus for them. Does that just mean that high DEX is a character-only advantage to Initiative?

Thanks!

That is partially correct. As I read it, Halflings get a racial bonus, high dex get a bonus, specific spells induce bonuses and many other situational modifiers but monsters do not get a bonus. In fact there is one sentence on page 44 that enforces this thought "This roll is adjusted by the character's Dexterity bonus.".

With that said, I have used a simple houserule for monsters before. Half their HD is their initiative bonus.

I have also just changed the initiative dice type to a d10 for games instead of using the that houserule so it still falls in line with the spirit of the written rule.. That change expands the range and gives monsters a slightly more chance of getting the drop on the characters.

Thanks Metro.

The GM is always in the right to assign bonuses or penalties to monsters as he or she sees fit. I usually go +2 for pixies and sprites, and I've been known to give kobolds and goblins a bonus. Just because I didn't write it in the rulebook doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.