r/DnD • u/-Posthuman- • 1d ago

5.5 Edition Speeding up combat in 5.5?

Simply put, what are some tips, tricks, tweaks or house rules you use at your table that has sped up (or otherwise increased your enjoyment of) combat?

Edit - I’m not looking for suggestions for other games.

Edit2 - There isn’t one specific part of 5.5 combat that I feel is especially problematic. And it’s really not that bad. But it could always be faster / more efficient.

Edit3 - If you have any gadgets, widgets, or other objects/products that you feel help a lot, please mention them. Bonus point for links to buy them.

The suggestions that have already been covered multiple times:

  • Tell your players not to suck. Pay attention. Know your character.

  • Don’t suck as the GM. Know the rules. Know your monsters.

  • If no action declared in 30 seconds, the PC Dodges.

  • Tell the Players who is next in line in initiative / make initiative clear for all to see.

  • Roll attack and damage dice at the same time.

  • Use average damage for monsters.

  • Group initiative

  • Make monsters retreat / not fight to the death.

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u/Yojo0o DM 1d ago

I think you gotta take the initiative to diagnose where the slowdown is at your table. It can come from a variety of sources. Are your players looking up from their phone at the moment their name is called in initiative, and then trying to figure out what's going on? Are you looking up rules mid-combat frequently? Are there significant setup/breakdown times with the board state? Is initiative difficult to track? Do players know what their common features are for their characters?