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Thematically, if someone gets the spotlight on them, shouldn't they go next? In a play, if you get the spotlight, it's likely to mean it's your turn to say or do something. I find one of the hardest parts of teamwork in the game is having a plan, then it falling apprat becuse the random initiative messes it up. So what if sometimes giving someone the spotlight moves them in the initiative order, so they go next?
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Thematically, if someone gets the spotlight on them, shouldn't they go next? In a play, if you get the spotlight, it's likely to mean it's your turn to say or do something. I find one of the hardest parts of teamwork in the game is having a plan, then it falling apprat becuse the random initiative messes it up. So what if sometimes giving someone the spotlight moves them in the initiative order, so they go next?
Yikes, no thanks! I don't want to be shuffling initiatives constantly. If someone already acted in the round, having them act next is different than if they haven't acted yet. That makes the initiative order weirdness worse, not better.
I think this is already covered well. If you want this specific feel, use the reaction to move the spotlight at the start of the turn. But if someone with the spotlight shoots someone, it makes sense to throw the spotlight over to show them getting hit. You don't need to make the enemy act next- the spotlight is there to show their reaction.
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Thematically, if someone gets the spotlight on them, shouldn't they go next? In a play, if you get the spotlight, it's likely to mean it's your turn to say or do something. I find one of the hardest parts of teamwork in the game is having a plan, then it falling apprat becuse the random initiative messes it up. So what if sometimes giving someone the spotlight moves them in the initiative order, so they go next?Yikes, no thanks! I don't want to be shuffling initiatives constantly.
I agree, which is why I used the word "sometimes." It's not meant to apply to all uses of a spotlight.
If someone already acted in the round, having them act next is different than if they haven't acted yet. That makes the initiative order weirdness worse, not better.
I also agree, which again is why it would be situational and not always on. A better way to do it might be to, once per minute, when you put the spotlight on a PC, they can swap initiative order with one PC or opponent of their choice.
I think this is already covered well. If you want this specific feel, use the reaction to move the spotlight at the start of the turn. But if someone with the spotlight shoots someone, it makes sense to throw the spotlight over to show them getting hit. You don't need to make the enemy act next- the spotlight is there to show their reaction.
I was just trying to say the idea fits using a spotlight thematically, it doesn't mean it's the only way to use a spotlight thematically. The main thing I'm looking for are ways to improve teamwork. Assigning spotlight roles during preparations is a great time to get the whole party talking about teamwork and tactics, especially if you let each player choose what role they will get from the Luminary.
For a game that claims that teamwork and tactics matter, especially in organized play, it's really hard to get an unplanned party of random players of different experience to work as a team, or even form a plan. Even when you do make a plan, it can be quickly ruined by the initiative order. Things like a spell caster trying to buff a melee character before the melee character runs into battle and out of range of the spell. Trying to use an area effect spell, ability, or weapon before the rest of the party gets in the way.
So something like letting the free action to set a spotlight on initiative, let the PC in the spotlight be able to swap initiative with another PC or opponent would be an interesting ability that helps teamwork and tactics, in the flavor of the Luminary class. A feat would be another way to do something similar without being tired of rolling initiative. It would also be an ability that is not like a Bard or Envoy.
I think doing a swap is easier than something like delaying, since you resolve the changes to the initiative order all at once instead of waiting for the delaying player to choose to go again.
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Ah, yeah, as a start-of-combat thing, that doesn't hit any of my concerns- initiative is already being handed out. Swapping initial initiatives is cool, so long as the player getting bumped down is cool with it, and feels like it's not covered well.
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I think "If a creature turn starts" could be added to the list of things that allow you to Set a Spotlight as a free action. For example, if one of your allies has the action role they won't really be able to benefit from it before making an attack, and I feel if someone wants to move they'll likely do it before making an attack.