Is initiative a skill check?

[Elevevated Beat]

Is initiative considered a skill check?

I get it's a dexterity based check, and that all skill check's, AFAIK, are tied to a certain ability (STR, DEX, etc). But that doesn't necessarily meant that all ability based checks (eg saves) are skill checks.

[SolEiji]

I wouldn't think so.  It's not a skill, so I'm sure that falls under "ability check".  Why, otherwise, would various buffs have wording like "bonuses to skill checks and ability checks".  So they must be two separate things.

[kurashu]

From the SRD (Emphasis mine)

Initiative Checks

 At the start of a battle, each combatant makes an initiative check. An initiative check is a Dexterity check. Each character applies his or her Dexterity modifier to the roll. Characters act in order, counting down from highest result to lowest. ...

Dexterity is an ability. Therefore a Dexterity check is an ability check. ERGO An initiative check is an ability check.

The defense rests.

So anything that lets you add a bonus to a dexterity check lets you add it to an initiative check. BUT things that you let you add a bonus to your initiative check don't let you add it to a dexterity check, it's a special case type of dexterity check. "Every rectangle is a square but not every square is a rhombus" or something.

[Elevevated Beat]

<snip> ERGO An initiative check is an ability check <snip>

I figured that's what it meant (and said, unable to look at SRD currently). But thank you for posting that and clearing it all up in my head

[snakeman830]

"Every rectangle is a square but not every square is a rhombus" or something.

Well, every square is a rhombus...

[Yirrare]

"Every rectangle is a square but not every square is a rhombus" or something.

Well, every square is a rhombus...

And quite a few rectangles are not squares... 

Kindly
Yirrare

[Halinn]

It's "every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square.", squares being defined as four equal sides with right angles, and a rectangle having right angles but not necessarily equal sides.

[Elevevated Beat]

Orrrr....

Every square is a rhombus, but not every rhombus is a square.

... now I'm off to see how this dice rolling button works

[kurashu]

I was posting under the influence last night, guize.

[zook1shoe]

I was posting under the influence last night, guize.

And you didn't post in this thread....
 http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1942.0

What's wrong with you

[kurashu]

Wasn't drunk, in all fairness.

[zook1shoe]

oooh ok