Speed Factor and Initiative

[Scott]

I don't like, or use, any of the speed factor rules, but I do like the idea of a weapon's wieldiness giving it a slight advantage or disadvantage. What do you think of the following initiative modifiers based on a weapon's speed factor.

Speed Factor: Initiative Modifier
1: +2
2-3: +1
4-7: 0
8-9: -1
10: -2
11+: -3

Scott

[SteveDF]

It's not a bad idea, I have always thought the wide range of initiative modifers from weapon-speed is bad.

It would remove a small advantage from the fighter (who tend to use the larger weapons), but would help out the thieves and MU's, which would not be a bad thing - if they end up toe-to-toe it may give them a chance before the fighter smashes them.

I have never used weapon speed either. We did at one point use it to resolve joint initiative, but now we simply use highest dex.

[Scott]

SteveDF said:

It's not a bad idea, I have always thought the wide range of initiative modifers from weapon-speed is bad.

It would remove a small advantage from the fighter (who tend to use the larger weapons), but would help out the thieves and MU's, which would not be a bad thing - if they end up toe-to-toe it may give them a chance before the fighter smashes them.

I have never used weapon speed either. We did at one point use it to resolve joint initiative, but now we simply use highest dex.

I never liked the idea of just adding the speed factor to the initiative roll, a 2E practice that basically meant that certain weapons would almost always go last. This way, the adjustments are so large as to make it a given, but they do give an advantage or disadvantage.
I wasn't really thinking about giving or removing advantages to certain classes, which it does end up doing, I had fighter vs. fighter combat in mind.
Scott

[GutboyBarrelhouse]

IIRC, weapon speed factors are only used during simultaneous initiative? Is that right? (Wish I had a PDF of the DMG, dang it)
If that's the case:
Why not ignore the speed factors and go with a rule-of-thumb:
The smaller, lighter, shorter weapon always strikes first in simultaneous initiative.
That's good for weapon vs. weapon melee, I'll have to woodshed on a solution for weapon vs. spellcaster.

[Scott]

Speed factor has 3 listed uses.
To settle initiative ties.
To determine if a weapon can strike a spell caster before he completes casting a spell.
in situarions where one weapon has a speed factor of 5 or more, or double, an opponent's weapon's speed factor, the faster weapon goes first and gets extra attacks.
Scott

[DragonFire]

We don't use the speed factors either except if their is a tie in initiative AND a tie in DEX.