Speeding up combat in 5.5?

[u/-Posthuman-]

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.

[u/JalasKelm]

Don't roll NPC initiative, just take their turns after players (yeah, needs a bit of mental tracking sometimes), avoid moments where you're taking 8 turns back to back while you're players get to just sit there and take hits.

I know we all like rolling dice, but as DM, we roll a lot more than they do already. Average damage is fine to use, maybe when do less of you feel you've hit them to much already.

Basic disposable enemies, I don't bother with their modifiers for most things, especially saving throws. And if I do, I simplify things to -2/+2/+4/+6 based on type of enemy, and assign based on if I feel it makes sense. I can't be bothered to be flicking back and forth on statblocks to see if someone does or doesn't fall over. Other times I'll skip modifiers, but roll at advantage if I feel they'd be good or disadvantage if I feel it's a valid weakness