Re: Good initiative mechanics?

On Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:17:00 -0700, gleichman wrote:

> On Apr 24, 10:39 am, "Rick Pikul" <rwpi...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> However, quite a few games have used predeclared actions or penalize
>> switching targets.
> 
> "quite a few"? Burning Wheel does, but that's just about the end of it
> from my memory.

AD&D had predeclared actions, I find it strange that you don't remember
that.  

Penalizing target switching is most commonly in the form of removing a
bonus for sustained fire, although I have seen a couple of cases where you
have to do something like 'spend an action to acquire a new target', (both
times involving mecha combat).  Of course, there is also the possibility
of
having to move to switch targets, but in most cases where that applies you
don't have a concentration of fire issue in the first place.

>> It does point out one direction to go in to encourage spreading fire:
>> Include the possibilities of quick kills and wasted fire.
> 
> You go for it. I'll pass thank you.

It doesn't matter if you would use the class of solutions suggested, that
such a class was suggested is all that was required to disprove your
dismissal of the example.


Now, even without predeclared actions, there are ways of getting this kind
of effect.  Such as DougL's idea of not falling over until your
action.

Another idea along these lines that comes to my mind is the possibility of
getting results, (like stunning the target), which will hamper the targets
next action by some absolute amount.  If you don't know that you have
stunned the target, and there is a reasonable chance of getting such a
result, there is a benefit in spreading the party's fire.

-- 
				Phoenix