What is Init to Crit?
It is a browser-based D&D combat tracker for Dungeon Masters. It combines initiative, rounds, HP, conditions, monster reference, encounter generation, campaigns, character voices, session recaps, and virtual tabletop exports.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers before initiative is rolled.
Everything you need to know about the combat tracker, encounter builder, voices, cloud syncing, and virtual tabletop companion tools.
Open Init to CritTHE BASICS
About Init to Crit
Is the app free?
Yes. The core combat tracker, encounter and campaign tools, monster library, local voice previews, and fantasy skirmish tracker are free. Generated voices require connecting a Patreon account with an active pledge.
Does it support both 5e (2014) and 5.5e (2024)?
Yes. Each encounter has a rules toggle between 5e (2014 SRD 5.1) and 5.5e (2024 SRD 5.2). It switches the monster library and the encounter difficulty math, and your last choice is remembered for new encounters. Monster entries include AC, HP, challenge rating, traits, and actions.
Can it generate an encounter for my party?
Yes. Add the party’s character levels, choose Low, Moderate, or High difficulty, and generate an encounter using level-aware XP budgets. The app also divides the final XP award among player characters.
How do character voices work?
Choose a voice, creature profile, gender presentation, style, emotion, delivery, intensity, speed, and pitch, then enter the line you want spoken. Local device previews are free. Cloud-generated voices use your monthly Patreon-linked character allowance.
Do replayed voice clips cost more?
No. Once a generated clip is saved to the voice library, replaying that existing audio is free. A character allowance is used only when new audio is generated.
What is Sage?
Sage is a tactical co-pilot that reads your live encounter — positions, HP, conditions — and suggests a move, a line to read aloud, and hidden dice rolls. It's advisory only: your combat tracker always stays the source of truth, and Sage never changes HP, initiative, or the combat log. It's included with the Veteran Patreon tier and up. See it in action.
Can my players see the fight on their phones?
Yes, for free. Share the link or QR code from the Share with players button and players follow the turn order and party hit points live in their browser, with no account. Enemies show only as Healthy, Bloodied, or Down, and you can hide any creature entirely.
Can players report their own damage?
Yes. Players pick their character on the live page and can report damage or healing. Nothing changes until you approve it with one tap.
What is Encounter Playtest?
Playtest is a preparation tool that runs your encounter against a party you set up, many times over, and reports the win rate, the chance of a total party kill, and how often each hero goes down. It is included with the Veteran Patreon tier and up, and it reads both 2014 (5e) and 2024 (5.5e) stat blocks. It is a difficulty check for your prep, not a prediction of how your table will play.
Does Playtest use AI?
The quick simulation runs entirely in your browser with dice and rules, and no AI. The optional Watch the AI play mode uses an AI to choose the heroes’ actions round by round so you can see a fight unfold, and it uses a monthly allowance that grows with your Patreon tier. It never writes story content.
Can I build my own monsters?
Yes. When you add a creature to an encounter you can give it attacks, multiattack, a special ability such as a breath weapon, and regeneration. Homebrew creatures then work in the tracker and in Playtest just like library monsters.
Can I use it with Roll20?
The Roll20 companion tools export encounter summaries, commands, downloadable character voice clips, and a Playtest result card that you paste into Roll20 chat and that is whispered to the GM only. It supports a practical transfer workflow but is not an official or automatic Roll20 integration.
Can I use the app on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The interface adapts to desktop, tablet, and phone screens. It can also be installed as a progressive web app from supported browsers.
Does my campaign sync across devices?
Google sign-in enables supported encounters, campaigns, rosters, templates, and voice information to sync through Firebase. The app also provides offline resilience during temporary connection loss.
What is Fantasy Skirmish Mode?
It is a separate two-warband tracker for activations, HP, XP, conditions, objectives, treasure, and victory points. It is unofficially compatible with Onslaught-style play and does not bundle official Onslaught game content.
Is this an official D&D, Roll20, or D&D Onslaught product?
No. Init to Crit is an independent, unofficial tabletop companion and is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast, Roll20, or D&D Onslaught.