Greetings Adventurers! We know we say this a lot, but we’re back for another exciting update! This feature has been something we’ve wanted for a very long time (since 2016) and so it’s almost surreal to see it finally launch!
We’re talking of course about our new Initiative Tracker!
Tracking Initiative
As of this update, DMs now have a new tab called the Initiative Tracker. The tab is automatically populated with players in the same Party and the form at the bottom allows for quick additions to the initiative order.
Any connected players will have their name, image, and relevant bonuses automatically added to the initiative order, along with a random dice roll which can be overriden if needed. From there the DM can call for initiative and enter the rolls, or randomly roll using the Roll for Initiative button at the top of the list. Once the order is set, it’s time to start the initiative!
Moving Through the Turn Order
Once the initiative is begun, DMs can move through combat either using the next & previous turn buttons or by using the j/k keys on their keyboard. The Initiative Tracker automatically tracks the the current turn, the total rounds, and the total elapsed time. If new enemies appear or additional players join the fray they can be easily added using the add form at any time.
Turn Reminders
Players, for their part, will notice a new badge on their profile when it’s either their turn or when they’re next. This will hopefully keep things moving during combat!
Adding Monsters to Combat
As a final note, adding enemies via the tracker directly is useful for spontaneous encounters, but we know our DMs like to plan in advance. So we’ve added the ability for any group of monsters in an Encounter to be automatically added to the initiative with one click!
Simply open an Encounter, select the monsters, and click “Add to Initiative”. It’s that simple!
Embracing Simplicity
Being a DM is hard work and it’s our goal to make DM-ing easier. The Initiative Tracker allows DMs to quickly and effectively move through combat without having to manage the turn order or worry about data entry.
There’s so much potential for this feature and we look forward to improving it over time. We’d love it if you tried out the Initiative Tracker for yourself and let us know what you think.
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Questions, Comments, Concerns?
We’d love to hear what you think of Adventurer’s Codex, what features you love, what features you want, and what features you don’t like or want changed. We built this tool for you, and we want to make it the best that it can be. If you like what you see, support us on Patreon. The funding we get from users like you helps us pay for servers and other operations costs.
Talk to us Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Discord, or send us an email at support@adventurerscodex.com with any suggestions, or comments you have! We can’t wait to hear from you.
If you want to contribute, and make Adventurer’s Codex even better, as always, drop by our Github page and checkout the project. We’re always looking for great new ideas, and if you find any bugs, file an issue!