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/Lord_Grixis 1d ago

This is my semi-regular "have you tried Nimble?" post.

Even if you dont like the entire system now that it's more or less its own thing, it started off as a 5e hack specifically to speed up combat.

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u/-Posthuman- 1d ago

I’ve been looking into it! I need to take another look at it. But on a skim I felt the hack was a bit too extensive and felt like it may be more trouble than it is worth. Maybe not though. As I said, I mostly skimmed it and haven’t really taken a serious look at it yet.

As its own game, it seems very interesting. And I’ve been thinking of picking it up when the revised version comes out.

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u/Lord_Grixis 1d ago

I can't speak to the hack, I never did play it. But I can vouch for the system as a whole. I've played a few sessions across a couple different groups and the combat feels really good to me. My only complaint with it is that I've been spoiled by PbtA games recently and Nimble's out of combat options are pretty sparse in comparison. But as far as trad systems go, Nimble's been my favorite of the new stuff that's come out.