diff --git a/apps/web/src/hooks/use-encounter.ts b/apps/web/src/hooks/use-encounter.ts
index 0a23967..fa7b513 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/hooks/use-encounter.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/hooks/use-encounter.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import {
 import type {
 	BestiaryIndexEntry,
 	CombatantId,
+	CombatantInit,
 	ConditionId,
 	CreatureId,
 	DomainEvent,
@@ -61,33 +62,6 @@ function deriveNextId(encounter: Encounter): number {
 	return max;
 }
 
-interface CombatantOpts {
-	initiative?: number;
-	ac?: number;
-	maxHp?: number;
-}
-
-function applyCombatantOpts(
-	makeStore: () => EncounterStore,
-	id: ReturnType<typeof combatantId>,
-	opts: CombatantOpts,
-): DomainEvent[] {
-	const events: DomainEvent[] = [];
-	if (opts.maxHp !== undefined) {
-		const r = setHpUseCase(makeStore(), id, opts.maxHp);
-		if (!isDomainError(r)) events.push(...r);
-	}
-	if (opts.ac !== undefined) {
-		const r = setAcUseCase(makeStore(), id, opts.ac);
-		if (!isDomainError(r)) events.push(...r);
-	}
-	if (opts.initiative !== undefined) {
-		const r = setInitiativeUseCase(makeStore(), id, opts.initiative);
-		if (!isDomainError(r)) events.push(...r);
-	}
-	return events;
-}
-
 export function useEncounter() {
 	const [encounter, setEncounter] = useState<Encounter>(initializeEncounter);
 	const [events, setEvents] = useState<DomainEvent[]>([]);
@@ -131,21 +105,14 @@ export function useEncounter() {
 	const nextId = useRef(deriveNextId(encounter));
 
 	const addCombatant = useCallback(
-		(name: string, opts?: CombatantOpts) => {
+		(name: string, init?: CombatantInit) => {
 			const id = combatantId(`c-${++nextId.current}`);
-			const result = addCombatantUseCase(makeStore(), id, name);
+			const result = addCombatantUseCase(makeStore(), id, name, init);
 
 			if (isDomainError(result)) {
 				return;
 			}
 
-			if (opts) {
-				const optEvents = applyCombatantOpts(makeStore, id, opts);
-				if (optEvents.length > 0) {
-					setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...optEvents]);
-				}
-			}
-
 			setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...result]);
 		},
 		[makeStore],
@@ -288,7 +255,6 @@ export function useEncounter() {
 				existingNames,
 			);
 
-			// Apply renames (e.g., "Goblin" → "Goblin 1")
 			for (const { from, to } of renames) {
 				const target = store.get().combatants.find((c) => c.name === from);
 				if (target) {
@@ -296,43 +262,22 @@ export function useEncounter() {
 				}
 			}
 
-			// Add combatant with resolved name
-			const id = combatantId(`c-${++nextId.current}`);
-			const addResult = addCombatantUseCase(makeStore(), id, newName);
-			if (isDomainError(addResult)) return null;
-
-			// Set HP
-			const hpResult = setHpUseCase(makeStore(), id, entry.hp);
-			if (!isDomainError(hpResult)) {
-				setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...hpResult]);
-			}
-
-			// Set AC
-			if (entry.ac > 0) {
-				const acResult = setAcUseCase(makeStore(), id, entry.ac);
-				if (!isDomainError(acResult)) {
-					setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...acResult]);
-				}
-			}
-
-			// Derive creatureId from source + name
 			const slug = entry.name
 				.toLowerCase()
 				.replaceAll(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, "-")
 				.replaceAll(/(^-|-$)/g, "");
 			const cId = makeCreatureId(`${entry.source.toLowerCase()}:${slug}`);
 
-			// Set creatureId on the combatant (use store.save to keep ref in sync for batch calls)
-			const currentEncounter = store.get();
-			store.save({
-				...currentEncounter,
-				combatants: currentEncounter.combatants.map((c) =>
-					c.id === id ? { ...c, creatureId: cId } : c,
-				),
+			const id = combatantId(`c-${++nextId.current}`);
+			const result = addCombatantUseCase(makeStore(), id, newName, {
+				maxHp: entry.hp,
+				ac: entry.ac > 0 ? entry.ac : undefined,
+				creatureId: cId,
 			});
 
-			setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...addResult]);
+			if (isDomainError(result)) return null;
 
+			setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...result]);
 			return cId;
 		},
 		[makeStore],
@@ -352,40 +297,17 @@ export function useEncounter() {
 			}
 
 			const id = combatantId(`c-${++nextId.current}`);
-			const addResult = addCombatantUseCase(makeStore(), id, newName);
-			if (isDomainError(addResult)) return;
-
-			// Set HP
-			const hpResult = setHpUseCase(makeStore(), id, pc.maxHp);
-			if (!isDomainError(hpResult)) {
-				setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...hpResult]);
-			}
-
-			// Set AC
-			if (pc.ac > 0) {
-				const acResult = setAcUseCase(makeStore(), id, pc.ac);
-				if (!isDomainError(acResult)) {
-					setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...acResult]);
-				}
-			}
-
-			// Set color, icon, and playerCharacterId on the combatant
-			const currentEncounter = store.get();
-			store.save({
-				...currentEncounter,
-				combatants: currentEncounter.combatants.map((c) =>
-					c.id === id
-						? {
-								...c,
-								color: pc.color,
-								icon: pc.icon,
-								playerCharacterId: pc.id,
-							}
-						: c,
-				),
+			const result = addCombatantUseCase(makeStore(), id, newName, {
+				maxHp: pc.maxHp,
+				ac: pc.ac > 0 ? pc.ac : undefined,
+				color: pc.color,
+				icon: pc.icon,
+				playerCharacterId: pc.id,
 			});
 
-			setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...addResult]);
+			if (isDomainError(result)) return;
+
+			setEvents((prev) => [...prev, ...result]);
 		},
 		[makeStore],
 	);
diff --git a/packages/application/src/add-combatant-use-case.ts b/packages/application/src/add-combatant-use-case.ts
index b47f47b..8f14e7a 100644
--- a/packages/application/src/add-combatant-use-case.ts
+++ b/packages/application/src/add-combatant-use-case.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import {
 	addCombatant,
 	type CombatantId,
+	type CombatantInit,
 	type DomainError,
 	type DomainEvent,
 	isDomainError,
@@ -11,9 +12,10 @@ export function addCombatantUseCase(
 	store: EncounterStore,
 	id: CombatantId,
 	name: string,
+	init?: CombatantInit,
 ): DomainEvent[] | DomainError {
 	const encounter = store.get();
-	const result = addCombatant(encounter, id, name);
+	const result = addCombatant(encounter, id, name, init);
 
 	if (isDomainError(result)) {
 		return result;
diff --git a/packages/domain/src/__tests__/add-combatant.test.ts b/packages/domain/src/__tests__/add-combatant.test.ts
index 8a33bda..6a4a88c 100644
--- a/packages/domain/src/__tests__/add-combatant.test.ts
+++ b/packages/domain/src/__tests__/add-combatant.test.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
-import { addCombatant } from "../add-combatant.js";
+import { addCombatant, type CombatantInit } from "../add-combatant.js";
+import { creatureId } from "../creature-types.js";
+import { playerCharacterId } from "../player-character-types.js";
 import type { Combatant, Encounter } from "../types.js";
 import { combatantId, isDomainError } from "../types.js";
 import { expectDomainError } from "./test-helpers.js";
 
 // --- Helpers ---
 
-function makeCombatant(name: string): Combatant {
-	return { id: combatantId(name), name };
+function makeCombatant(
+	name: string,
+	overrides?: Partial<Combatant>,
+): Combatant {
+	return { id: combatantId(name), name, ...overrides };
 }
 
 const A = makeCombatant("A");
@@ -22,8 +27,13 @@ function enc(
 	return { combatants, activeIndex, roundNumber };
 }
 
-function successResult(encounter: Encounter, id: string, name: string) {
-	const result = addCombatant(encounter, combatantId(id), name);
+function successResult(
+	encounter: Encounter,
+	id: string,
+	name: string,
+	init?: CombatantInit,
+) {
+	const result = addCombatant(encounter, combatantId(id), name, init);
 	if (isDomainError(result)) {
 		throw new Error(`Expected success, got error: ${result.message}`);
 	}
@@ -190,4 +200,152 @@ describe("addCombatant", () => {
 			expect(encounter.combatants[1]).toEqual(B);
 		});
 	});
+
+	describe("with CombatantInit", () => {
+		it("creates combatant with maxHp and currentHp set to maxHp", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const { encounter } = successResult(e, "orc", "Orc", {
+				maxHp: 15,
+			});
+			const c = encounter.combatants[0];
+			expect(c.maxHp).toBe(15);
+			expect(c.currentHp).toBe(15);
+		});
+
+		it("creates combatant with ac", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const { encounter } = successResult(e, "orc", "Orc", {
+				ac: 13,
+			});
+			expect(encounter.combatants[0].ac).toBe(13);
+		});
+
+		it("creates combatant with initiative and sorts into position", () => {
+			const hi = makeCombatant("Hi", { initiative: 20 });
+			const lo = makeCombatant("Lo", { initiative: 10 });
+			const e = enc([hi, lo]);
+
+			const { encounter } = successResult(e, "mid", "Mid", {
+				initiative: 15,
+			});
+
+			expect(encounter.combatants.map((c) => c.name)).toEqual([
+				"Hi",
+				"Mid",
+				"Lo",
+			]);
+		});
+
+		it("rejects invalid maxHp (non-integer)", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const result = addCombatant(e, combatantId("x"), "X", {
+				maxHp: 1.5,
+			});
+			expectDomainError(result, "invalid-max-hp");
+		});
+
+		it("rejects invalid maxHp (zero)", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const result = addCombatant(e, combatantId("x"), "X", {
+				maxHp: 0,
+			});
+			expectDomainError(result, "invalid-max-hp");
+		});
+
+		it("rejects invalid ac (negative)", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const result = addCombatant(e, combatantId("x"), "X", {
+				ac: -1,
+			});
+			expectDomainError(result, "invalid-ac");
+		});
+
+		it("rejects invalid initiative (non-integer)", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const result = addCombatant(e, combatantId("x"), "X", {
+				initiative: 3.5,
+			});
+			expectDomainError(result, "invalid-initiative");
+		});
+
+		it("creates combatant with creatureId", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const cId = creatureId("srd:goblin");
+			const { encounter } = successResult(e, "gob", "Goblin", {
+				creatureId: cId,
+			});
+			expect(encounter.combatants[0].creatureId).toBe(cId);
+		});
+
+		it("creates combatant with color and icon", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const { encounter } = successResult(e, "pc", "Aria", {
+				color: "blue",
+				icon: "sword",
+			});
+			const c = encounter.combatants[0];
+			expect(c.color).toBe("blue");
+			expect(c.icon).toBe("sword");
+		});
+
+		it("creates combatant with playerCharacterId", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const pcId = playerCharacterId("pc-1");
+			const { encounter } = successResult(e, "pc", "Aria", {
+				playerCharacterId: pcId,
+			});
+			expect(encounter.combatants[0].playerCharacterId).toBe(pcId);
+		});
+
+		it("creates combatant with all init fields", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const cId = creatureId("srd:orc");
+			const pcId = playerCharacterId("pc-1");
+			const { encounter } = successResult(e, "orc", "Orc", {
+				maxHp: 15,
+				ac: 13,
+				initiative: 12,
+				creatureId: cId,
+				color: "red",
+				icon: "axe",
+				playerCharacterId: pcId,
+			});
+			const c = encounter.combatants[0];
+			expect(c.maxHp).toBe(15);
+			expect(c.currentHp).toBe(15);
+			expect(c.ac).toBe(13);
+			expect(c.initiative).toBe(12);
+			expect(c.creatureId).toBe(cId);
+			expect(c.color).toBe("red");
+			expect(c.icon).toBe("axe");
+			expect(c.playerCharacterId).toBe(pcId);
+		});
+
+		it("CombatantAdded event includes init", () => {
+			const e = enc([]);
+			const { events } = successResult(e, "orc", "Orc", {
+				maxHp: 15,
+				ac: 13,
+			});
+			expect(events[0]).toMatchObject({
+				type: "CombatantAdded",
+				init: { maxHp: 15, ac: 13 },
+			});
+		});
+
+		it("preserves activeIndex through initiative sort", () => {
+			const hi = makeCombatant("Hi", { initiative: 20 });
+			const lo = makeCombatant("Lo", { initiative: 10 });
+			// Lo is active (index 1)
+			const e = enc([hi, lo], 1);
+
+			const { encounter } = successResult(e, "mid", "Mid", {
+				initiative: 15,
+			});
+
+			// Lo should still be active after sort
+			const loIdx = encounter.combatants.findIndex((c) => c.name === "Lo");
+			expect(encounter.activeIndex).toBe(loIdx);
+		});
+	});
 });
diff --git a/packages/domain/src/add-combatant.ts b/packages/domain/src/add-combatant.ts
index 06e1434..a2bec44 100644
--- a/packages/domain/src/add-combatant.ts
+++ b/packages/domain/src/add-combatant.ts
@@ -1,24 +1,94 @@
+import type { CreatureId } from "./creature-types.js";
 import type { DomainEvent } from "./events.js";
-import type { CombatantId, DomainError, Encounter } from "./types.js";
+import { sortByInitiative } from "./initiative-sort.js";
+import type { PlayerCharacterId } from "./player-character-types.js";
+import type {
+	Combatant,
+	CombatantId,
+	DomainError,
+	Encounter,
+} from "./types.js";
+
+export interface CombatantInit {
+	readonly maxHp?: number;
+	readonly ac?: number;
+	readonly initiative?: number;
+	readonly creatureId?: CreatureId;
+	readonly color?: string;
+	readonly icon?: string;
+	readonly playerCharacterId?: PlayerCharacterId;
+}
 
 export interface AddCombatantSuccess {
 	readonly encounter: Encounter;
 	readonly events: DomainEvent[];
 }
 
+function validateInit(init: CombatantInit): DomainError | undefined {
+	if (
+		init.maxHp !== undefined &&
+		(!Number.isInteger(init.maxHp) || init.maxHp < 1)
+	) {
+		return {
+			kind: "domain-error",
+			code: "invalid-max-hp",
+			message: `Max HP must be a positive integer, got ${init.maxHp}`,
+		};
+	}
+	if (init.ac !== undefined && (!Number.isInteger(init.ac) || init.ac < 0)) {
+		return {
+			kind: "domain-error",
+			code: "invalid-ac",
+			message: `AC must be a non-negative integer, got ${init.ac}`,
+		};
+	}
+	if (init.initiative !== undefined && !Number.isInteger(init.initiative)) {
+		return {
+			kind: "domain-error",
+			code: "invalid-initiative",
+			message: `Initiative must be an integer, got ${init.initiative}`,
+		};
+	}
+	return undefined;
+}
+
+function buildCombatant(
+	id: CombatantId,
+	name: string,
+	init?: CombatantInit,
+): Combatant {
+	return {
+		id,
+		name,
+		...(init?.maxHp !== undefined && {
+			maxHp: init.maxHp,
+			currentHp: init.maxHp,
+		}),
+		...(init?.ac !== undefined && { ac: init.ac }),
+		...(init?.initiative !== undefined && { initiative: init.initiative }),
+		...(init?.creatureId !== undefined && { creatureId: init.creatureId }),
+		...(init?.color !== undefined && { color: init.color }),
+		...(init?.icon !== undefined && { icon: init.icon }),
+		...(init?.playerCharacterId !== undefined && {
+			playerCharacterId: init.playerCharacterId,
+		}),
+	};
+}
+
 /**
  * Pure function that adds a combatant to the end of an encounter's list.
  *
  * FR-001: Accepts an Encounter, CombatantId, and name; returns next state + events.
  * FR-002: Appends new combatant to end of combatants list.
  * FR-004: Rejects empty/whitespace-only names with DomainError.
- * FR-005: Does not alter activeIndex or roundNumber.
+ * FR-005: Does not alter activeIndex or roundNumber (unless initiative triggers sort).
  * FR-006: Events returned as values, not dispatched via side effects.
  */
 export function addCombatant(
 	encounter: Encounter,
 	id: CombatantId,
 	name: string,
+	init?: CombatantInit,
 ): AddCombatantSuccess | DomainError {
 	const trimmed = name.trim();
 
@@ -30,12 +100,35 @@ export function addCombatant(
 		};
 	}
 
-	const position = encounter.combatants.length;
+	if (init) {
+		const error = validateInit(init);
+		if (error) return error;
+	}
+
+	const newCombatant = buildCombatant(id, trimmed, init);
+	let combatants: readonly Combatant[] = [
+		...encounter.combatants,
+		newCombatant,
+	];
+	let activeIndex = encounter.activeIndex;
+
+	if (init?.initiative !== undefined) {
+		const activeCombatantId =
+			encounter.combatants.length > 0
+				? encounter.combatants[encounter.activeIndex].id
+				: id;
+
+		const result = sortByInitiative(combatants, activeCombatantId);
+		combatants = result.sorted;
+		activeIndex = result.activeIndex;
+	}
+
+	const position = combatants.findIndex((c) => c.id === id);
 
 	return {
 		encounter: {
-			combatants: [...encounter.combatants, { id, name: trimmed }],
-			activeIndex: encounter.activeIndex,
+			combatants,
+			activeIndex,
 			roundNumber: encounter.roundNumber,
 		},
 		events: [
@@ -44,6 +137,7 @@ export function addCombatant(
 				combatantId: id,
 				name: trimmed,
 				position,
+				init,
 			},
 		],
 	};
diff --git a/packages/domain/src/events.ts b/packages/domain/src/events.ts
index 1e0dac8..bfff32c 100644
--- a/packages/domain/src/events.ts
+++ b/packages/domain/src/events.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { ConditionId } from "./conditions.js";
+import type { CreatureId } from "./creature-types.js";
 import type { PlayerCharacterId } from "./player-character-types.js";
 import type { CombatantId } from "./types.js";
 
@@ -19,6 +20,15 @@ export interface CombatantAdded {
 	readonly combatantId: CombatantId;
 	readonly name: string;
 	readonly position: number;
+	readonly init?: {
+		readonly maxHp?: number;
+		readonly ac?: number;
+		readonly initiative?: number;
+		readonly creatureId?: CreatureId;
+		readonly color?: string;
+		readonly icon?: string;
+		readonly playerCharacterId?: PlayerCharacterId;
+	};
 }
 
 export interface CombatantRemoved {
diff --git a/packages/domain/src/index.ts b/packages/domain/src/index.ts
index 1c9496e..dca7146 100644
--- a/packages/domain/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/domain/src/index.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-export { type AddCombatantSuccess, addCombatant } from "./add-combatant.js";
+export {
+	type AddCombatantSuccess,
+	addCombatant,
+	type CombatantInit,
+} from "./add-combatant.js";
 export { type AdjustHpSuccess, adjustHp } from "./adjust-hp.js";
 export { advanceTurn } from "./advance-turn.js";
 export { resolveCreatureName } from "./auto-number.js";
diff --git a/packages/domain/src/initiative-sort.ts b/packages/domain/src/initiative-sort.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cfd4de9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/domain/src/initiative-sort.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import type { Combatant, CombatantId } from "./types.js";
+
+interface Indexed {
+	readonly c: Combatant;
+	readonly i: number;
+}
+
+function compareByInitiative(a: Indexed, b: Indexed): number {
+	const aHas = a.c.initiative !== undefined;
+	const bHas = b.c.initiative !== undefined;
+	if (aHas && bHas) {
+		const diff = b.c.initiative - a.c.initiative;
+		return diff === 0 ? a.i - b.i : diff;
+	}
+	if (aHas && !bHas) return -1;
+	if (!aHas && bHas) return 1;
+	return a.i - b.i;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Stable-sorts combatants by initiative (descending), preserving relative
+ * order for ties and for combatants without initiative. Returns the sorted
+ * list and the new activeIndex that tracks the given active combatant
+ * through the reorder.
+ */
+export function sortByInitiative(
+	combatants: readonly Combatant[],
+	activeCombatantId: CombatantId,
+): { sorted: readonly Combatant[]; activeIndex: number } {
+	const indexed = combatants.map((c, i) => ({ c, i }));
+	indexed.sort(compareByInitiative);
+	const sorted = indexed.map(({ c }) => c);
+	const idx = sorted.findIndex((c) => c.id === activeCombatantId);
+	return { sorted, activeIndex: idx === -1 ? 0 : idx };
+}
diff --git a/packages/domain/src/set-initiative.ts b/packages/domain/src/set-initiative.ts
index 5796d9f..539af76 100644
--- a/packages/domain/src/set-initiative.ts
+++ b/packages/domain/src/set-initiative.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { DomainEvent } from "./events.js";
+import { sortByInitiative } from "./initiative-sort.js";
 import type { CombatantId, DomainError, Encounter } from "./types.js";
 
 export interface SetInitiativeSuccess {
@@ -44,45 +45,21 @@ export function setInitiative(
 	const target = encounter.combatants[targetIdx];
 	const previousValue = target.initiative;
 
-	// Record active combatant's id before reorder
-	const activeCombatantId =
-		encounter.combatants.length > 0
-			? encounter.combatants[encounter.activeIndex].id
-			: undefined;
-
 	// Create new combatants array with updated initiative
 	const updated = encounter.combatants.map((c) =>
 		c.id === combatantId ? { ...c, initiative: value } : c,
 	);
 
-	// Stable sort: initiative descending, undefined last
-	const indexed = updated.map((c, i) => ({ c, i }));
-	indexed.sort((a, b) => {
-		const aHas = a.c.initiative !== undefined;
-		const bHas = b.c.initiative !== undefined;
+	// Record active combatant's id before reorder
+	const activeCombatantId =
+		encounter.combatants.length > 0
+			? encounter.combatants[encounter.activeIndex].id
+			: combatantId;
 
-		if (aHas && bHas) {
-			const aInit = a.c.initiative as number;
-			const bInit = b.c.initiative as number;
-			const diff = bInit - aInit;
-			return diff === 0 ? a.i - b.i : diff;
-		}
-		if (aHas && !bHas) return -1;
-		if (!aHas && bHas) return 1;
-		// Both undefined — preserve relative order
-		return a.i - b.i;
-	});
-
-	const sorted = indexed.map(({ c }) => c);
-
-	// Find active combatant's new index
-	let newActiveIndex = encounter.activeIndex;
-	if (activeCombatantId !== undefined) {
-		const idx = sorted.findIndex((c) => c.id === activeCombatantId);
-		if (idx !== -1) {
-			newActiveIndex = idx;
-		}
-	}
+	const { sorted, activeIndex: newActiveIndex } = sortByInitiative(
+		updated,
+		activeCombatantId,
+	);
 
 	return {
 		encounter: {