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Initiative

AX.C.10.01 - Initiative

Surprise Round

A Surprise Round occurs when one side of a conflict is completely unaware of the other before combat begins.

  • Each potentially surprised character rolls Wit + Notice
  • Threshold: 3, or the ambushing character's Stealth Talent value, whichever is higher

Success: The character acts normally in the first Turn. Failure: The character cannot act or react during the first Turn.

Initiative

At the start of combat, all players roll 1D6 to determine when they act each Turn.

  • 5 or higher: Act at the Top of the Turn
  • 4 or lower: Act at the Bottom of the Turn

GM-controlled creatures and characters always act between the Top and Bottom of each Turn.

Holding

A character may Hold their action to shift to the opposite sequence for that Turn only. They reset to their rolled position at the start of the next Turn.

Example, Holding from Bottom: A character rolls Bottom. They Hold, acting at the Top of the next Turn instead. The following Turn they return to Bottom.

Example, Holding from Top: A character rolls Top. They Hold, acting at the Bottom of the same Turn instead. The following Turn they return to Top.