Author Topic: (Answered) Stacking Positive and Negative Initiative Modifiers  (Read 468 times)

Saklad5

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While positive initiative modifiers were discussed previously <https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=77407.0>, that answer still doesn't quite address how negative modifiers are applied.

Sources of negative modifiers include Random Backgrounds (Campaign Operations, page 31, fourth printing), failed administration rolls (CO, page 53), Smart Robotic Control Systems (Interstellar Operations: Alternate Eras, page 134, third printing), and Class II chemical weapons (IO:AE, page 174).

Is there a floor of negative modifiers? Do two -1 modifiers stack to -2, or do they remain -1?



My proposed solution, building on previous rulings, is that initiative modifiers start with a minimum and maximum of 0. The minimum is the lowest negative modifier if any are present, while the maximum (as previously ruled) is the highest positive modifier present.

Once minimums and maximums have been determined, all distinct initiative modifiers can simply be added up and clamped to that range to produce the actual modifier.

As an example, modifiers consisting of [-2, -2, +1] would add up to -3, clamped to -2. Modifiers consisting of [-2, -2, +1, +2] would add up to -1, clamped to -1. Modifiers consisting of [-2, -1, +1, +1, +2, +3] would add up to +4, clamped to +3.
« Last Edit: 15 August 2024, 11:09:52 by Xotl »

Xotl

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Re: Stacking Positive and Negative Initiative Modifiers
« Reply #1 on: 15 August 2024, 11:09:21 »
Negatives pile as high (low) as they can go; all are cumulative.  There's only a limit to positive modifiers (take only one at any given time): this is generally because they tend to be doing variations of the same thing, but is also a game balance issue.

I see a world where one can parse the various initiative bonuses from a fluff perspective and try and decide which should stack vs which shouldn't, but this is a blanket ruling rather than that because keeping a running list of how various initiative modifiers interact in an individual, rule-from-effect sense is something I'm not going to do in an official capacity.  While completely plausible and defendable as an approach, that's solidly house-rule territory.
« Last Edit: 15 August 2024, 12:42:13 by Xotl »
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