Assuming your chosen traits were "Chance Savior" and "Reactionary" they do not stack, as their bonuses to Initiative are both listed as Trait Bonus and normally named bonuses of the same name do not stack.
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Bonuses of the same type do not stack.
Traits deliver trait bonuses. (Incidentally, if there is a trait out there that delivers an untyped bonus, I'm declaring that an error in my campaign and saying they're all trait bonuses. Traits aren't supposed to be huge sources of min-max gaming, but they can be quite easily.)
However, initiative bonuses from other sources (the two most common coming from Dexterity and Improved Initiative) do stack. So, you could have a 20 Dex, Improved Initative, a scorpion familiar, and Reactionary and get +13 to initiative at first level.
normally named bonuses of the same name do not stack.
In addition, the Traits document specifically calls out that trait bonuses never stack.
Agreed. I find surviving the first volley to be a better tactic than volleying first. I prefer not to be so prone to violence.So, you could have a 20 Dex, Improved Initative, a scorpion familiar, and Reactionary and get +13 to initiative at first level.That is... In... sane... Cool, but insane
"It matters not who strikes first, but who strikes last."
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Traits are not a "source". I would say they do stack (another +1 or +2 to something... wooooow... game breaker). Also, the entire "non-stacking" thing is for MAGIC, not benign effects. So in my mind, most benign effects (non-magical) stack if not from the same source (such as armors not stacking). Unless someone can point out where on this list traits fall:
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ultimateMagic/magic/designingSpells.html #_bonus-types
Per the PRD and what multiple people have said:
Many traits grant a new type of bonus: a “trait” bonus. Trait bonuses do not stack—they're intended to give player characters a slight edge, not a secret backdoor way to focus all of a character's traits on one type of bonus and thus gain an unseemly advantage. It's certainly possible, for example, that somewhere down the line, a “Courageous” trait might be on the list of dwarf race traits, but just because this trait is on both the dwarf race traits list and the basic combat traits list doesn't mean you're any more brave if you choose both versions than if you choose only one.
So yeah, trait is a kind of bonus. And mundane Armor, Shield, Deflection, etc... bonuses don't stack so stacking is NOT for MAGIC. It's for game balance.
However, initiative bonuses from other sources (the two most common coming from Dexterity and Improved Initiative) do stack. So, you could have a 20 Dex, Improved Initative, a scorpion familiar, and Reactionary and get +13 to initiative at first level.
+15, actually. DEX (+5), Feat (+4), Familiar (+4), Trait (+2).
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Yeah! Trait bonuses CLEARLY does NOT stack. But a trait tat gives an untyped bonus would stack with a trait giving either another untyped bonus or a trait bonus.
Also, when choosing traits, be aware that you are allowed only 1 from each category like "Religion" and "Magic" traits.
Well what the heck does that mean. If Traits are a source (as pointed out above to correct my statement) then how do they give an untyped bonus? That is like saying the +5 on a "special sword" is an untyped enhancement bonus. And that only occurs on "defender" weapons... right?
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Well what the heck does that mean. If Traits are a source (as pointed out above to correct my statement) then how do they give an untyped bonus? That is like saying the +5 on a "special sword" is an untyped enhancement bonus. And that only occurs on "defender" weapons... right?Yeah! Trait bonuses CLEARLY does NOT stack. But a trait tat gives an untyped bonus would stack with a trait giving either another untyped bonus or a trait bonus.
Also, when choosing traits, be aware that you are allowed only 1 from each category like "Religion" and "Magic" traits.
The same way a feat can give a typed or untyped bonus.
Reactionary, for example, gives a "+2 trait bonus to Initiative".
There may be one or more traits which give an untyped bonus "+x bonus to subject" which is not typed because it doesn't say what kind of bonus it gives.
Movement bonuses are often untyped. Fun.
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So basically what TriOmegaZero said in the second response... even if it comes from a trait, if it doesn't say + x TRAIT Bonus... then it isn't a trait bonus. Seems sort of... well, ok, I accept and move on...
There are very few, if any, untyped bonuses given by traits.
I don't have them all available to me, but the vast majority of the traits I have seen give trait bonuses.
The ones that don't are both rare, and on something that there is unlikely to be a second trait that gives a bonus to it.
Overall, as Sissyl mentioned, you'll have more problems keeping track of what movement bonuses you have, and which ones stack with each other, and which ones don't.
Soooo many movement speed enhancement bonuses.
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However, initiative bonuses from other sources (the two most common coming from Dexterity and Improved Initiative) do stack. So, you could have a 20 Dex, Improved Initative, a scorpion familiar, and Reactionary and get +13 to initiative at first level.+15, actually. DEX (+5), Feat (+4), Familiar (+4), Trait (+2).
And isn't there an Elf or Half-Elf alternate racial trait (which is different than a trait), that provides another +2 to initiative? So +17 out of the box is feasible. Wow.
And isn't there an Elf or Half-Elf alternate racial trait (which is different than a trait), that provides another +2 to initiative? So +17 out of the box is feasible. Wow.However, initiative bonuses from other sources (the two most common coming from Dexterity and Improved Initiative) do stack. So, you could have a 20 Dex, Improved Initative, a scorpion familiar, and Reactionary and get +13 to initiative at first level.+15, actually. DEX (+5), Feat (+4), Familiar (+4), Trait (+2).
If there is, it's not listed in the Advanced Race Guide. The word "initiative" doesn't even appear in either the Elf or Half-Elf's racial entry.
And isn't there an Elf or Half-Elf alternate racial trait (which is different than a trait), that provides another +2 to initiative? So +17 out of the box is feasible. Wow.However, initiative bonuses from other sources (the two most common coming from Dexterity and Improved Initiative) do stack. So, you could have a 20 Dex, Improved Initative, a scorpion familiar, and Reactionary and get +13 to initiative at first level.+15, actually. DEX (+5), Feat (+4), Familiar (+4), Trait (+2).
and since you have a familiar why not be a diviner for an extra +1 and that will even scale with leveling.
If there is, it's not listed in the Advanced Race Guide. The word "initiative" doesn't even appear in either the Elf or Half-Elf's racial entry.And isn't there an Elf or Half-Elf alternate racial trait (which is different than a trait), that provides another +2 to initiative? So +17 out of the box is feasible. Wow.However, initiative bonuses from other sources (the two most common coming from Dexterity and Improved Initiative) do stack. So, you could have a 20 Dex, Improved Initative, a scorpion familiar, and Reactionary and get +13 to initiative at first level.+15, actually. DEX (+5), Feat (+4), Familiar (+4), Trait (+2).Fleet-Footed: While all elves are naturally lithe and agile, some also are naturally speedy and have a strong desire to rush into situations rather than worrying about looking ahead. Elves with this racial trait receive Run as a bonus feat and a +2 racial bonus on initiative checks. This racial trait replaces keen senses and weapon familiarity.
I'm guessing I spelled it wrong when running the search...
Bonuses of the same type do not stack.
Traits deliver trait bonuses. (Incidentally, if there is a trait out there that delivers an untyped bonus, I'm declaring that an error in my campaign and saying they're all trait bonuses. Traits aren't supposed to be huge sources of min-max gaming, but they can be quite easily.)
However, initiative bonuses from other sources (the two most common coming from Dexterity and Improved Initiative) do stack. So, you could have a 20 Dex, Improved Initative, a scorpion familiar, and Reactionary and get +13 to initiative at first level.
Ifrit with 20 dex (+5), wildfire heart alt race trait (+4), improved init (+4), familiar (+4), reactionary (+2) for a +19 init at 1st.
The racial traits that be traded out are not the same as the traits you can pick up that only give a trait bonus. The second set of traits would include "race" traits that are always a trait bonus.
I think RD was looking at those traits instead of the racial traits that can be traded out, and that is why he missed it.
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The racial traits that be traded out are not the same as the traits you can pick up that only give a trait bonus. The second set of traits would include "race" traits that are always a trait bonus.
I think RD was looking at those traits instead of the racial traits that can be traded out, and that is why he missed it.
Yeah I think it was a bad design choice to use the term "trait" for both of those things.
Improved Init (+4), Reactionary (+2), and Dex ( +2 or +3), = is normal all i can manage on a druid = +8 or +9 total to initiative at 1st level.
As a rule of thumb, +8 or +9 is more than enough to ensure you going first most of the time. The additional +8 or so is just min/maxing for the heck of it, and starts to actually cost something to get, as opposed to something you do on your wizard because you didn't strictly need that familiar ability for something else, and Improved initiative is better than spell focus unless you're up to something speciffic.