One thing I've done...
...based off something someone said in a forum here, was:
*get a bunch of business cards
*write character names on a number of cards = spd
*write "phase" on 12 cards.
shuffle together
Putting the deck together at the start of a combat can take a while, but as I keep NPCs together, the real problem is taking them out
I keep drawing cards. If I draw a "phase" card, a second has passed (for when that is important for grenades, timed effects, etc)
If I draw a card for a character, that character may either take their action, or "hold" (literally) their card.
If you hold a card and your action is drawn again, you lose an action. If you abort, you just lose the next card "drawn" for you.
When a card is drawn, I place it face down in another pile
Once all cards heave been drawn, reshuffle.
This isn't SLOWER than the speed chart, means DEX isn't important to initiative (or all my players would buy a 20) except in held actions (where it makes sense), and means people cannot "game" the speed chart (I'll dodge, then recover, then punch, then dodge again, because that will be their action...)
Also adds some drama to holding for someone (people actually said "c'mon!")
To whoever thought of this: thanks
Tim:D
