The staggered formation is so that multiple personnel can not be taken out by a single bullet.  Arrows tend not to have that much force and velocity behind them.  The distance between personnel is so explosives won't take out everybody at once.  Now that can be a problem:  FIREBALL!
This message was last edited by the player at 12:56, Wed 01 Mar 2023.

Wow what sort of dms do you normally play with at first level?

Not much conversation going on if we are too far apart.

Now, there's a game idea.  The PCs get taken out early in the game, and their new PCs have to figure out whodunit, and why.....

That does make sense :)

Sort of plot for Vecna Lives where you get to be a member of circle of eight and die in the intro.

Tweaked the map; wasn't sure who to put in front of back, so let me know.

I'll have the start of the first encounter as soon as I confirm the marching order.

I am not opposed to group initiative it helps the flow of things :)

While I'm here, for future reference, if we're outside of any combat situation, Faera has Guidance as a Cantrip (using her encyclopedic knowledge :P) and she'll be more than happy to cast it on anyone before they attempt some sort of ability check outside combat.

We're going to start an encounter tonight.

Is there anyone who is strongly opposed to group initiative?

I would like it because then you guys can just post as you can, not having to wait for other PCs.

But if any of you are working to maximize those rolls, I can see why you would prefer not to do it that way.

No issues with initiative. Whatever makes the game easier for you to manage. Maybe take party initiative based on our best character though perhaps?

I had intended to do the intro post but was distracted - will catch up on that after encounter.

I've delayed my post 2 hours hoping for Thia.

This first combat is supposed to be a sort of warm up. Please let me know if there's any issues you're having so we can be better next time.

I just got home from a double shift and I'm beat! Faera will hold her position and basically brace her shield for whatever attack might come. We'll call that a Dodge Action I guess :)

In the spirit of moving things along, I'll post my action OOC and make an IC post when I get home this evening.

Faera will use her full movement to get to F8, next to Otis so she's between him and the goblins (the one on the map and the one whose position is suspected).

She'll use her action to cast Toll The Dead: 05:54, Today: Faera rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Toll The Dead attack. First combat roll ever for her: Nat 20 :)

The spell is resisted with a Wisdom Saving Throw. If damage is taken, it'll be 11  (05:57, Today: Faera rolled 11 using 2d8.  Toll The Dead Damage.)

I am waiting to see if Faera or Rurik take out goblin 2. The outcome will affect what Otis does next.

if we are to attack goblins, do we see them (Do we get disadvantage to hit them?)

You need to advance to where they are hiding, attack blindly, or use an area attack.

Not sure where we are up to. Has round 2 ended?

It has not -- I was waiting (hoping) for Thia to post.

I'll give til morning.

Then the goblins go, though Kiala held her action and will zap one if it shows itself.

I have edited my post indicating oll go stand near Jervis

What can I do better next encounter?

I might not make changes, but if you don't tell me, I definitely won't.

As much as group initiative does seem to speed things up, it did create (at least for me) a lot of confusion about what had already happened, what was going to happen, etc... Maybe it's also just me being awful at keeping track of stuff :)

I was thinking I should put the current round in the subject line -- would that help keep things sorted?

That could help.  Or At the top, like this.

@Otis
Well, here goes literally nothing...

18:42, Today: Faera rolled 4 using 1d8+3.  Cure Wounds on Otis.

That's a nice fat +4 HP, the MINIMUM I can roll.

Thankyou. No rest needed. Lets get there before dark. I think we should grab the gear we can carry. Pile the bodies. Cut off a ear as proof. At the very least it is proof we are capable.

Otis will 100% support and enable Kiala to reach her full potential. ;p