Optional Rule: Larian Initiative

Reserved Material

Summary

1d4 > 1d20 for Initiative.

Sometimes Initiative rolls can be too swingy for some games and people. Luckily, an alternative solution was provided by Larian Studios's Baldur's Gate 3.

How it Works

Instead of using a d20 and Quickness for Initiative (or 1d20 + DEX or CON]; or 1d20 + DEX traditionally), you roll 1d4 + Quickness (or just DEX). All other modifiers (such as feats that add to Initiative), remains the same.

Impact

The lower gap means static modifiers are more important to the role, and the smaller dice smoothes the numerical curve. The tradeoff for the smoother average is that those that rely on the wider range a d20 would provide are left wanting.

Elsewhere

If playing other games, this rule replaces Quickness (or just Dexterity) with other appropriate skills and modifiers (such as Perception, or Wisdom).