Highest Initiative (5e Optimized Character Build)

Are you tired of being the last in the turn order? Do you hate getting the sloppy seconds of a fight? Do you always want to deal the first damage?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions then this build is for you.

Ability Scores

The only ones that matter are Dexterity and Charisma, along with either Intelligence or Wisdom, depending on if you want to use the ranger or wizard class. Using Standard Array, put the 15 in Dexterity, the 14 in Charisma, and 13 in Intelligence (wizard) or Wisdom (ranger); will use the ranger going forward.

Race

Harengon The harengon race has a racial feature called "hare trigger" that allows them to add their proficiency bonus to their initiative rolls. Increase Dexterity by 1 and Wisdom by 2 (16/15 accordingly).

Classes

Rogue: 12 levels. Choose the Swashbuckler Roguish Archetype for the Rakish Audacity feature. This lets you add your Charisma modifier to initiative checks. Reliable Talent allows you to take a 10 or higher to any ability check you add your proficiency bonus to, and for 4 ASI levels. Pick up the Alert and Fey Touched feats, increasing your Wisdom score by 1 (16), and increase your Dexterity score by 4 (20) with the remaining ASI.

Ranger: 8 levels. Choose the Gloom Stalker Conclave for the Dread Ambusher feature. This lets you add your Wisdom modifier to initiative checks. Increase your Wisdom score by 4 (20).

Feats

Alert:

• You gain a +5 bonus to initiative.
• You can’t be surprised while you are conscious.
• Other creatures don’t gain advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being unseen by you.

Fey Touched

• Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.

• You learn the misty step spell and one 1st-level spell of your choice. The 1st-level spell must be from the divination or enchantment school of magic. You can cast each of these spells without expending a spell slot. Once you cast either of these spells in this way, you can’t cast that spell in this way again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast these spells using spell slots you have of the appropriate level. The spells’ spellcasting ability is the ability increased by this feat.

Choose the spell gift of alacrity, which allows you to add 1d8 to a chosen creature's initiative rolls for 8 hours, no concentration. Choose yourself.

Conclusion

Initiative

Hare-Trigger: +6 (proficiency bonus)

Dexterity modifier: +5

Alert: +5

Dread Ambusher: +5

Rakish Audacity: +2

gift of alacrity: +1d8 (avg. 4.5)

Due to Reliable Talent and Hare-Trigger, you can choose to take a 10 if you roll a 9 or lower. With a minimum of +24. you'll be rolling 34 at least for initiative. You'll be rolling anywhere from 34 to 51 on initiative.

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