OK, initiative bogs things down. My system below is too complicated as is, but it is a starting point to revisit later. The just: Everyone has an initiative number that is calculated. Then weapon and situational mods are added. Base initiative is your Dex mod. Medium armor subtracts 1 Heavy armor subtracts 2 Fighter types add 1 per 4 levels Rogue types as 1 per 5 levels Scholar types add 1 per 10 levels There would be some feats that add to the above. If you are surprised a big minus for the first round would apply. Anyway, you come up with a number. That doesn't change. Monsters and foes have a number. That doesn't change. You do in the order of highest to lowest.