How to Use Initiative Tracker

Getting Started

The Initiative Tracker is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. Here's how to get started with your first combat encounter:

Step 1: Add Combatants

Click the "+ Add Row" button to add a new combatant to the initiative tracker. You can add as many creatures as needed for your encounter.

Step 2: Enter Names

Click on the Name field and start typing. If you're adding a monster, you'll see autocomplete suggestions from our database of 300+ D&D monsters. Select a monster to automatically fill in their stats, or type your own custom name for player characters or homebrew creatures.

Step 3: Roll Initiative

Have each player and monster roll for initiative. Enter the results in the Initiative column. The tracker will automatically sort everyone from highest to lowest initiative. You can use the dice icon button to roll initiative automatically based on each creature's initiative bonus.

Step 4: Fill in Stats

Enter each combatant's current HP, maximum HP, and Armor Class. If you selected a monster from the autocomplete, these will be filled in automatically - you can adjust them as needed.

Step 5: Start Combat

Click "Next Turn" to begin combat. The current active turn will be highlighted. Progress through combat by clicking "Next Turn" after each creature's turn ends.

Managing Combat

Tracking Hit Points

Update HP as creatures take damage or receive healing. You can either:

• Click the HP field and type the new value directly
• Use the +/- buttons to adjust HP incrementally
• Enter negative values to deal damage automatically

When a creature reaches 0 HP, consider using the Death Saves feature for player characters.

Death Saving Throws

For dying player characters, use the death save tracker:

• Check a Success box when they roll 10 or higher
• Check a Failure box when they roll 9 or lower
• Three successes means they're stabilized at 0 HP
• Three failures means the character dies
• A natural 20 restores 1 HP immediately
• A natural 1 counts as two failures

Status Conditions

Apply status conditions by clicking on a creature's status field. Common conditions include:

• Prone: Disadvantage on attack rolls, advantage for melee attacks against them
• Stunned: Can't move or take actions, auto-fail Str/Dex saves
• Paralyzed: Incapacitated, auto-fail Str/Dex saves, critical hits within 5 feet
• Poisoned: Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks
• Restrained: Speed 0, disadvantage on Dex saves
• Blinded: Auto-fail sight-based checks, disadvantage on attacks
• Charmed: Can't attack charmer, charmer has advantage on social checks
• Frightened: Disadvantage on abilities while source in sight

Reordering Initiative

Sometimes initiative order changes mid-combat (Ready action, new creatures joining, etc.). Simply drag and drop any row to reorder the initiative.

Adding/Removing Combatants Mid-Battle

Click "+ Add Row" to add reinforcements during combat. Use the trash icon to remove defeated enemies or characters who flee. The turn order will automatically adjust.

Round Counter

The round counter tracks how many rounds of combat have passed. This is useful for:

• Spell durations (e.g., "lasts 1 minute = 10 rounds")
• Condition durations (e.g., "ends at the start of your next turn")
• Lair actions (every round on initiative count 20)
• Time-sensitive objectives

Using the Monster Database

Our initiative tracker includes 300+ D&D 5e monsters from the SRD (System Reference Document).

Searching for Monsters

In the Name column, start typing any monster name. The autocomplete will show matching results. For example:

• Type "gob" to see Goblin, Goblin Boss, etc.
• Type "drag" to see all dragon types
• Type "anc" to see ancient dragons

Viewing Monster Actions

Click the book icon next to any monster name to view their full stat block, including:

• Actions (attacks and special abilities)
• Bonus actions
• Reactions
• Legendary actions (if applicable)
• Special traits and resistances

AI Encounter Generation

Generate balanced encounters using AI in seconds.

How to Generate an Encounter

1. Click the "AI Assistant" button
2. Describe your desired encounter in plain English
3. Include party size, level, difficulty, and theme
4. Click "Generate Encounter"
5. Review the AI's suggestions and adjust as needed

Example Prompts

• "Easy forest encounter for 4 level 2 players"
• "Deadly undead encounter for a level 5 party of 5"
• "Medium difficulty bandit ambush for 3 level 3 characters"
• "Hard boss fight with a spellcaster for 4 level 7 players"
• "Random goblin cave encounter, medium difficulty, level 4 party"

Tips for Best Results

• Always include party size and level
• Specify difficulty (easy, medium, hard, deadly)
• Mention the theme or environment (forest, dungeon, city, etc.)
• Include any specific monsters you want to feature
• The AI can suggest tactics and combat strategies
• You have 20 AI generations per day - use them wisely!

Saving and Loading Encounters

Saving an Encounter

1. Set up your encounter with all combatants
2. Give your encounter a name in the field above the tracker
3. Click "Encounters" to open the encounter drawer
4. Click "Save Current Encounter"

Loading a Saved Encounter

1. Click "Encounters" to open the drawer
2. Browse your saved encounters
3. Click "Load" on any encounter to restore it

Managing Encounters

• Rename encounters by updating the name before saving
• Delete encounters you no longer need
• Duplicate encounters and modify them for variations
• All encounters are saved locally in your browser

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up combat management with keyboard shortcuts:

• Space: Next turn
• Shift + Space: Previous turn
• Ctrl/Cmd + N: Add new combatant
• Ctrl/Cmd + R: Reset combat
• Ctrl/Cmd + S: Save encounter
• Escape: Close any open modal or drawer

Tips for Dungeon Masters

Prepare Encounters in Advance

Save commonly used encounters (random wilderness, city guards, etc.) so you can load them instantly when needed. This is especially useful for random encounters.

Use Multiple Devices

Open the tracker on your laptop for management and on your phone for quick reference. Since data is browser-based, you can export/import between devices.

Adjust Monster HP

If combat is too easy or hard, adjust monster HP on the fly. The tracker makes it easy to strengthen or weaken enemies dynamically.

Track More Than Combat

Use the tracker for chase scenes, skill challenges, or any turn-based encounter. The flexible notes field can track skill check results or progress.

Keep Players Engaged

Share your screen or project the tracker so players can see initiative order. This helps them prepare their turns and stay engaged.

Troubleshooting

Data Not Saving

If your encounters aren't saving, check that your browser allows local storage. Private/incognito mode may prevent saving. Try using a regular browser window.

Monster Database Not Loading

The monster database loads on first visit. Refresh the page if autocomplete isn't working. Once loaded, monsters are cached for offline use.

Mobile Display Issues

On small screens, some columns may be hidden. Rotate to landscape mode to see all columns, or use the desktop version for full functionality.