D&D Initiative Master

The Problem

Traditional pen-and-paper combat tracking in D&D sessions creates confusion and delays, especially in remote games where multiple participants need to stay synchronized. Manual record-keeping of initiative order, hit points, and conditions leads to errors and slows down gameplay, diminishing the gaming experience.

The Solution

Built a modern, real-time web application that replaces manual combat tracking with an automated, synchronized digital solution. The platform uses Next.js server actions and a PostgreSQL database to manage combat state, while a polling-based sync system ensures all players see updates within 3 seconds. DMs get full control through intuitive modals, while players receive view-only access via shareable party codes.

Key Features

• Automatic initiative sorting and turn-based combat management
• Real-time synchronization across multiple devices with 6-character party codes
• Complete D&D 5e combat system: HP tracking, AC, temporary HP, and all 14 official conditions
• Separate DM and player permission modes for controlled access
• Responsive design supporting mobile, tablet, and desktop gameplay
• Optimistic UI updates for instant feedback on actions
• Navigation guards and delete confirmations to prevent data loss
• localStorage-based party resumption for quick access to recent sessions

Tech Stack

Project Overview

D&D Initiative Master is a sophisticated combat tracking solution built with Next.js 16 and React 19, designed specifically for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition gameplay. The application leverages modern web technologies including TypeScript for type safety, Drizzle ORM for database operations, and Neon PostgreSQL for serverless data storage. The platform implements the complete D&D 5e combat ruleset, including complex mechanics like temporary HP absorption and all 14 official conditions with clickable descriptions. The real-time synchronization system uses a polling-based approach with optimistic UI updates, ensuring smooth gameplay without websocket complexity. Built with accessibility in mind using Radix UI and shadcn/UI components, the application provides an intuitive experience for both dungeon masters managing combat and players following along. The project demonstrates advanced full-stack development skills, including server actions, database schema design with Drizzle ORM, state synchronization patterns, and responsive UI development.

Screenshots