So this class allows you to gain panache if you roll acrobatics for initiative
In what circumstances would this ever happen?
Perhaps there is a more general or general rules question here about “common” situations that can use “alternate initiatives”
But does anyone have any ideas ?
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Be OoT Link. Tumbel is your primary form of movement. Otherwise take "hardcore parkour!" as a lifestyle mantra.
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I can’t easily justify it in exploration mode, but I’d definitely let a PC start combat during a social interaction by leaping on a table, swinging from a chandelier, or sliding down a bannister.
There's definitely nothing you could do constantly to ensure acrobatics as an initiative skill, and attempts to do things like constantly somersault everywhere deserve to be shot down immediately. Fatigue is also justified for more absurd tactics.
I think this is a great idea for a feature in a void (because swashbucklers getting a bonus if they start the fight by ropes wing dramatically in through the window is great), that doesn't survive contact with players (who will expect a way to make it a baseline ability that's usually in effect).
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i feel any sufficiently derring do jump into the fray could use acrobatics, but it has to be like it is in the movies.
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I think they need to describe examples of how you might roll many of the skills for initiative-- deception, athletics, acrobatics, intimidate, and perhaps some even weirder ones like performance, or survival.
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Arguably this won't happen often if the party is surprised, but in every occasion that the PCs can in any way prepare for the coming fight, you declare that you're going to dangle from the chandelier.
Now we need a create chandelier spell...
Or play a Catfolk and jump with fright when you’re surprised.
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I think it's easy to justify, personally. I had a player during combat with a villain say he wanted to try to convince the villain that they were there to join him, not fight. The other characters said they'd give him a shot, but if he moved funny they'd attack. I let this player roll Deception while everyone else did a regular Perception roll
If a Swashbuckler wanted to, say, start their turn by leaping into action I'd regularly allow them to do an Acrobatics check for initiative provided they started their turn with a tumble or a long jump or whatever in circumstances where they can't leap from a platform or swing from a chandelier. I think the initiative rules are fluid enough for that
Of course if it doesn't make sense then it doesn't make sense. But I'm all about letting players explain alternatives to me to use a different skill for initiative
I need more help with this topic too. I am DM'ing a group and already find it hard to accommodate the Rogue getting Stealth initiatives in any situation except coming out of Exploration mode where he used Avoid Notice. I can't see these situations ever coming up for swashbucklers in an ambush or surprise combat, only in situations where the PCs have an opportunity to react before initiative kicks off. Am I doing it wrong? Alternative initiatives in general could really use more examples and support from the designers! I'd love to see a blog post about it!
Edit: quick note that I do see how deception, intimidate, etc work when a social situation turns into combat. They just don't happen as much as standard dungeon crawl type combats, at least with my PCs. Maybe the players need to do things like rush into the next room shouting intimidatingly? :)
I think it would help if whatever Swashbuckler Style you choose it reads “you may roll (skill) for initiative.”
One of the WotC Star Wars rpgs did a similar thing and it wasn’t game breaking.
If a Swashbuckler wanted to, say, start their turn by leaping into action I'd regularly allow them to do an Acrobatics check for initiative provided they started their turn with a tumble or a long jump or whatever in circumstances where they can't leap from a platform or swing from a chandelier. I think the initiative rules are fluid enough for that
long jumps are athletics though. arcobatics handles balancing, tumbling, flying and squeeze. have them do something cooler than just jumping at the start of combat.
I can't wait for someone to try to start combat by crawling through a fireplace.
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I think it would help if whatever Swashbuckler Style you choose it reads “you may roll (skill) for initiative.”
I think the "if you roll [skill] for initiative, gain panache" is not intended to be a thing you rely on, but instead to represent "if your character acts with panache, they gain panache."
Like if you didn't gain panache when you initiated combat by swinging on a rope through a window, that would feel wrong. But we're not going to just leave ropes and windows everywhere.
I think it would help if whatever Swashbuckler Style you choose it reads “you may roll (skill) for initiative.”I think the "if you roll [skill] for initiative, gain panache" is not intended to be a thing you rely on, but instead to represent "if your character acts with panache, they gain panache."
Like if you didn't gain panache when you initiated combat by swinging on a rope through a window, that would feel wrong. But we're not going to just leave ropes and windows everywhere.
Hey! It's a legitimate strategy! :)