This is part of an ongoing series of posts about Initiative (mostly in Dungeons and Dragons, but most of this can be used in any TTRPG). I have a massive PDF I planned to sell, but I’ve decided to post it all here for free. I chose this next type of initiative by roiling a die.
This systems gives each player a hand of cards, based on their class. Higher value cards go first. There is an option for randomly getting a card, and one for choosing what card to play.
Class Based Cards for Initiative
This is a fairly simple, I hope, system. Each class uses a different hand of cards. At the beginning of the round, they play a random card from their hand. If the encounter goes more than four rounds, shuffle and do it again. The assumption is that some classes are inherently faster (or rely on that more) than others. Frankly, what I give below is an example(s) of the hands, set them up how you deem best.
Smaller Spread:
Fast classes: 8, 9, 10, Jack
Medium classes: 6, 7, 8, 9
Slow classes: 4, 5, 8, 9
Larger Spread:
Fast classes: 8, 9, 10, Jack
Medium classes: 5, 6, 7, 8
Slow classes: 3, 4, 5, 8
I’d assume Monks and Rogues are fast. Fighters, Clerics and Barbarians medium. Everyone else is slow. You could obviously move classes around. You could spread out the decks even more, or have another category. I think the big spread is TOO BIG, but your mileage may vary. Also, you can mix and match and build on this idea in a lot of ways.
Options
Add another card or two to the deck so you don’t have to shuffle as often.
The player PICKS which card to play. Of course, if they go first a lot early, they aren’t as likely to go first when they are more damaged….
Remove the highest card before shuffling the deck after four rounds (or lowest, or a random card).
If a player chooses to play the slowest card in their deck, and they have used other cards, they can choose one card to put back in their hand. For example, a rogue plays its Jack in round 1, then its 8 in round 2, it can put the Jack back in its hand. I’d only allow this once per encounter.
NPC Initiative
I’d use the medium deck for monsters, if you don’t want to just put them in where it makes sense.
If there is a monster that is traditionally slow (zombie) or fast (quickling) in your world, they should/could use the slow or fast PC deck.
Why You Might or Might Not Like These Systems
You might like this if you think certain classes of characters are inherently faster than others. It is a fairly easy change to make.
You might not like this if you don’t want to “punish” people playing slower classes. The monsters won’t be using the same rules, really (though there are inherently faster and slower monsters). Or, you might want to be precise in your monster choices, and this would be tedious.
Conclusion
This is one of the easier alternative systems for initiative. I’m not sure I love it, but I don’t hate it either. I’ve considered testing it, and getting feedback, but so far have not. Frankly, now that I’ve sat on this for a few minutes before posting, I’m not really a fan. I don’t want all spellcasters to have disadvantage on initiative.