Sort Numerically can't handle decimals?

When adding initiative, I usually use the initiative modifier as a decimal after the number so that it would get sorted correctly in order of initiative modifier. So, for example, one character might have 20.12 and another might have 20.08. Sort Numerically, however, doesn't seem to care about the decimals, which doesn't make sense if it's really sorting numerically. What kind of function are you using for that? Why would ignore decimals? That makes no sense. It's still a valid number that should be sortable...

While it might be a bug (or really just an oversight) many people use decimals to account for turns and such. They would be very unhappy if sorting rearranged things based on decimals.  Out of curiosity, what game system is this? - Gauss

Really? Huh. K. I'll just keep sorting them manually, even though it makes no sense. We're playing D&D. If two people have the same roll, they go in order of initiative modifier.

Mike, which version of D&D has fractional initiative numbers? I didn't think any of them did (I have played up through 3.5 before jumping over to Pathfinder).  - Gauss

Gauss said: While it might be a bug (or really just an oversight) many people use decimals to account for turns and such. They would be very unhappy if sorting rearranged things based on decimals.  Out of curiosity, what game system is this? - Gauss Why would sorting on decimals not work with using decimals for tracking turns?  You use one token with a high enough initiative to always be first, lets say 100.  You add a decimal for which round it is.  Then on each other token's initiative you can do as the original poster suggested (which I think is a great idea), lets say 20.12, 20.08, 15.07, 14, 3.  Then you sort it numerically.  If Roll20 took decimals into account you could use it for both systems.  100.1, 20.12, 20.08, 15.07, 14, 3

Konrad,  Player1 has an initative of 15 and is in turn 5 of his spell. (15.5)  Player2 has an initative of 15 and is in turn 3 of his spell. (15.3)  Player2 is ahead of Player1 so in the initative order we have: Player2 15.3 Player1 15.5 If the system redid it based on decimals then we would have: Player1 15.5 Player2 15.3  In any case, I am reporting this as a bug. Those people (including myself) who use decimals could use something else instead. Something like: Player2 15t3 Player1 15t5 As long as the corrected system only took decimals and not every character into account people can adjust to not using decimals. Bug report posted. - Gauss

You are using the initiative tracker to track a spell cast on a token?  Interesting idea, never thought of that.  I think I'd do that on paper though, we have like 10 spells cast on every one all over the place! :) I just thought everyone was using one token as the round tracker using a decimal.  All other tokens wouldn't have a decimal.  So the original poster's idea would work fine if Roll20 sorted on decimals. :)

Multiple spells, multiple decimals. To prevent having to change them regularly I just note when the turn they were cast. Alternately, I note when they expire. It works well enough for 1-3 effects.  - Gauss

Well as long as you don't hit "Sort Numerically" anymore, the list will not be sorted again. So even if you have to players with Initiative 15, and one of them is 15.5 and the second one 15.3 as in Gauss' example, they would remain in that order, unless he hit Sort again. I don't know about you, but I usually do not Sort the list after the combat has started, I just go through them step by step.

How about parsing the first number (decimal included) and letting those that want to count spells use a comma or something after? What he was getting at is when two people or person and monster tie in 3.5, it's the one with the bigger modifier that goes first...still wouldn't be useful for 15.9 vs 15.11, but lower levels it works out with single digit modifiers.

James, as stated in an earlier post, I posted a bug report on this this morning. Thank you for your interest. :) - Gauss

Gauss said: Mike, which version of D&D has fractional initiative numbers? I didn't think any of them did (I have played up through 3.5 before jumping over to Pathfinder).  - Gauss I know 3.5 does, technically. From the SRD: "If two or more combatants have the same initiative check result, the combatants who are tied act in order of total initiative modifier (highest first). If there is still a tie, the tied characters should roll again to determine which one of them goes before the other." Players rolling the same initiative result seems to happen quite often for me. I'm not sure how far back that rule goes, but it seems pretty standard. Looks like it's in the Pathfinder SRD too with the same wording. For now, I just drag and drop things into the proper order. I was just confused as to why it worked the way it did. I think those wacky Europeans use a comma instead of a decimal, so sorting things after a comma should probably happen too, right?

Oops, not sure how I missed Gauss's 2nd post, he'd suggested the same parsing. The point still stands that what they are trying to do (using init as 2nd variable) would not work in all cases sorting numerically as decimal (ex: .9 vs .11).

Mike, I have played 3.X/PF since it came out and haven't ever interpreted that rule as using fractional initiative  The two people tying for the same initiative should still have the same initiative (as an example, 15) but one goes before the other on that same initiative  I guess fractional numbers could be used to represent that but it isn't how I have ever seen a gaming group handle it. This is why I was curious, I haven't heard of a game system that uses fractional initiatives in the rules. Of course, there may still be one out there somewhere. In any case, this was reported as a bug. :) - Gauss

James B. said: Oops, not sure how I missed Gauss's 2nd post, he'd suggested the same parsing. The point still stands that what they are trying to do (using init as 2nd variable) would not work in all cases sorting numerically as decimal (ex: .9 vs .11). .9 is bigger than .11 though, so that would just be logical that .9 goes before .11. You'd have to use .09 to get the desired effect (11 > 9)

Gauss said: Mike, I have played 3.X/PF since it came out and haven't ever interpreted that rule as using fractional initiative  The two people tying for the same initiative should still have the same initiative (as an example, 15) but one goes before the other on that same initiative  I guess fractional numbers could be used to represent that but it isn't how I have ever seen a gaming group handle it. I understand. That's just what I used when I was trying to use a Google Docs Spreadsheet once upon a time for initiative sorting, since it's not as easy to drag and drop people around in that as it is in Roll20. In any case, this was reported as a bug. :) - Gauss Thanks. =)

This has been fixed. Decimals are now calculated into the turn order. If anyone has any further issues regarding this please let us know. - Gauss

Gauss said: This has been fixed. Decimals are now calculated into the turn order. If anyone has any further issues regarding this please let us know. - Gauss Excellent. Just added the PCs to the turn tracker for my GURPS campaign. Looks good. Will try this out at tomorrow night's session.

GURPS uses fractional values to determine initiative. Basic Speed is Health (HT) + Dexterity (DX) divided by 4. Do not round off. A Basic Speed 5.75 is better than a Basic Speed of 5. With GURPS there aren't any rolls for initiative.

What I do for counting rounds is use decks. I created a card with an image of the numeral 1. I would deal a card to the GM at the beginning of each round. (I had to add make sure the deck had enough cards.) Now that we have Rollable Tables it's even easier and faster. I create a table for a specific counter. I take my image of the numeral 1 and click the token button each round. I have an easy quick round counter. I also use this for Marvel Heroic rules. I created a Rollable Table with a Token (counter) for plot points. Every time I award a plot point to a player I hit the token button and move the token above the players avatar. (My plot point token is a Captain America shield.) You could make a Rollable Table with an image of a Fireball. If the spell lasts 5 rounds throw out 5 tokens and delete one each round. I think I've seen suggestions for allowing players to control the tokens. If players can delete their own tokens it would be easier on the GM.