Crazy Initiative Idea

Cool chart by Telecanter - http://recedingrules.blogspot.com/2010/10/visual-weapon-chart.html

A single caveat --

• This idea is completely untested.  Sometimes you have to get ideas out of your head to see if they work...  :)

How I actually do things --

• When I do initiative, I roll a d6 for the monsters and the players roll a d6 for the party.
• High roll goes first.
• If the dice match, it all happens simultaneously.
• I have a deck of cards that I use to randomize the order of the PCs and the monsters within their initiative roll.

OK, now for the idea.

• High rolls are best.
• You get to add your DEX bonus (if any) to your roll.
• If you have a polearm, and are in position to use it, roll the better of 2d12
• If you have a fast/nimble weapon (rapier, whip, throwing daggers, arrows, darts, loaded crossbow, etc.) roll d12
• If your weapon is long (like a spear or 2h-sword,) and you are in a good position to use it, roll d12
• If you have an "average"melee weapon (sword, axe, flail, etc.) roll d10
• If you have a short melee weapon (dagger, shortsword, fist, shield bash, mace, crossbow that needs to be loaded, etc.) roll d8
• If you have a spear or 2h-sword up close where it's difficult to use, roll d6
• If you have a polearm up close, but there is still room to maneuver, roll d4
• If you have a polearm, spear or 2h-sword and you can't maneuver.  Drop your weapon and use something else.

Whatcha think?