[RPG] Can you use a reaction to affect initiative rolls

bardclass-featurednd-5einitiativereactions

Expanding upon this question in a tweet at Jeremy Crawford who confirms once again that Initiative is a skill check and can be modified by things that modify ability checks.

Cutting Words states

When a creature that you can see within 60 feet of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a damage roll, you can use your reaction to expend one of your uses of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and subtracting the number rolled from the creature’s roll.

Can a reaction be used to influence the result of an enemies Initiative roll or does the existence of a reaction necessitate being in combat?

Best Answer

You can use a reaction to affect initiative rolls.

Initiative (PHB 177):

At the beginning of every combat, you roll initiative by making a Dexterity check.

You would automatically become part of the combat, but there is not a single instance, in the rules, that necessitates that you can't start the combat with a reaction with the usual exception of Surprise (PHB 189):

If you’re surprised, you can’t move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can’t take a reaction until that turn ends.

Reactions (PHB 190):

Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a reaction. A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else’s.

If you worded the trigger correctly, you would intervene in the combat and therefore would have to roll initiative.

Initiative (PHB 189):

When combat starts, every participant makes a Dexterity check to determine their place in the initiative order.

You couldn't take another reaction before it is your turn.

When you take a reaction, you can’t take another one until the start of your next turn. If the reaction interrupts another creature’s turn, that creature can continue its turn right after the reaction.

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