How to Run Your First Combat

The first time you run a tabletop fight, it feels like juggling. It isn't — combat is just a loop of four small steps repeated until one side is down. Here's the whole loop, with a free tool for each part so you're never doing bookkeeping in your head.

Step 1 — Roll initiative

In many d20-style games, initiative decides turn order: players and monsters roll 1d20 and add the initiative bonus given by that game. Highest goes first, then down the line. Drop each name and final number into the initiative tracker and it sorts the order for you; its die button supplies an unmodified d20 for monsters. Add several copies of a creature (Goblin 1, Goblin 2…) so each can act on its own count. If your rules group identical enemies or use another initiative die, type the final order values instead.

Step 2 — Take turns, top to bottom

Starting from the highest initiative, each combatant takes the movement and actions allowed by your rules. Resolve them, then move to the next name down. When you reach the bottom of the list, that's one round — loop back to the top and the round counter ticks up. Effects measured in rounds should name their start or end point in your notes so “for one round” does not become ambiguous.

Step 3 — Track hit points and conditions

When an attack hits, resolve damage under your rules and enter the final amount in the HP & condition tracker. Type a number and tap Damage or Heal, add temporary HP, and toggle reminder labels like Poisoned or Prone. At 0 HP the tracker marks a creature Down but does nothing else. Removal, unconsciousness, stabilization and death checks are system decisions that the tracker deliberately leaves to the table.

Step 4 — End the encounter

The fight ends when one side is defeated, flees, or surrenders. Don't be afraid to have enemies run when they're clearly losing — it speeds things up and makes the world feel alive. Then hand out the rewards: roll a hoard on the treasure generator and you're done.

A few tips for a smooth first fight

• Read the monster's options out loud to yourself before the session so you're not flipping pages mid-turn.
• Keep the dice roller open in another tab for damage and saves.
• It's okay to fudge a rule in the moment and look it up later. Keep the game moving.

What's the difference between a turn and a round?

A turn is one combatant acting. A round is everyone having taken one turn — once you loop back to the top of the order, a new round begins.

What happens at 0 hit points?

Monsters are typically defeated. Player characters fall unconscious and begin death saving throws until they're stabilized, healed, or die.

Do I really need to track all this?

You can do it on paper, but the initiative and HP trackers keep it straight and survive a refresh, so nothing gets lost mid-fight.