3.5 initiative tracker

[Armatus]

Does anyone know of good, free initiative tracker/ease of use downloads for PC?

[nedz]

We normally use old business cards.

[killem2]

There are a lot of ways to go about it, I prefer the little tents with fantasy picture on them:

http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/833/img6690ey.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/833/img6690ey.jpg/)

Then as we go around the table clockwise, we ask what number you have and put you in order.

If you have the place for it, you can also go to an old thrift store, buy a 2.5' x 2.5' frame with some crap print in it, take the print out, spray paint it white, put it back in.

Then use it as a dry erase board.

[Private]

Combat Manager (http://combatmanager.com/) is for Pathfinder, but it is remarkably useful.

[Mcdt2]

I've got 2 that I like to use, one is a seperate program and the other is an excel based program.

The first, Trackwork (http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/trackwork-the-initiative-tracker-now-4e-compatible/)

Pros:

Compatible with 3.5, Pathfinder, and 4e
Has fields for Current/Max HP, Saves/Defenses, etc
Can keep track of whihc round of combat this is, and Init Order
Can Export from the PCGEn program, if you use it (I don't)

Cons:

Hasn't updated in ages
Not as easy/quick to add combatants on the fly, compared to the other option (requires saving them in a seperate file, can get annoying at times)


The second, the creatively named Initiative Tool (http://www.nzcomputers.net/heroforge/default35.asp) (keep scrolling down, you will find it)

Pros:

Very Fast to add combatants
Excel spreadsheet is easier to edit mid combat
Tracks skills better than TrackWork does (TW only handles listen/spot, IT adds hide, move silently, search, diplomacy, bluff, sense motive, and, oddly, use rope)

Cons:

Doesn't have spaces for HP, Saves, etc. Tracks Intiative and some skills, nothing else
Excel tends to load/respond slowly (might just be my computer)

I'm sure there are others out there, but these are the two I've found easiest to use. Personally, would suggest TrackWork, as defenses are a tad more important, I find, than knowing thier Use Rope Modifier.

[JaronK]

Silly method: just have everyone at the table move so they sit in initiative order. Then put a little model of the enemies in between them to fill it out.

JaronK

[AuraTwilight]

My table just has a whiteboard. :3

[thethird]

Silly method: just have everyone at the table move so they sit in initiative order. Then put a little model of the enemies in between them to fill it out.

JaronK

Add a merry tune to this so they have to sit before it ends and you have a game inside a game. And those are fun.

[nedz]

Add a merry tune to this so they have to sit before it ends and you have a game inside a game. And those are fun.

Better still, remove a chair whilst the music is playing so that one of them will have to stand.

[Armatus]

There are a lot of ways to go about it, I prefer the little tents with fantasy picture on them:

http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/833/img6690ey.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/833/img6690ey.jpg/)

Then as we go around the table clockwise, we ask what number you have and put you in order.

If you have the place for it, you can also go to an old thrift store, buy a 2.5' x 2.5' frame with some crap print in it, take the print out, spray paint it white, put it back in.

Then use it as a dry erase board.

What a Douche!

[Armatus]

Thanks. PC users are neglected in this area. Ipad, and Iphone users have all kinds of little dungeons and dragons apps to make thier games easier. Those Fascists!

[Ketiara]

In my groupe we use the big LEGO (duplo) tiles. And on them a white sticker with our names on it. When we roll our initiative the highest one is on top an lowest init is at the bottom. Works really well.

[killem2]

What a Douche!

No need for that. It was long day for me and didn't catch you were asking for the PC.

[Amnestic]

I was going to suggest Notepad. Or Excel I guess, would make sorting it easier.

[PinkysBrain]

Maptool has an initiative tracker.

[Diarmuid]

I'll agree with Amnestic on the Excel answer.

Sorting is easy, adding/removing is easy, more columns/fields/etc for whatever kind of status/durations or other information you might need.

[nedz]

Thanks. PC users are neglected in this area. Ipad, and Iphone users have all kinds of little dungeons and dragons apps to make thier games easier. Those Fascists!

You could always write your own, it can't be that hard.