Surprise (combat) - Revision history

Tao alexis: /* On Guard */

2026-04-14T17:33:11Z

On Guard

Tao alexis at 17:29, 14 April 2026

2026-04-14T17:29:22Z

Tao alexis at 22:09, 26 April 2022

2022-04-26T22:09:41Z

Tao alexis at 06:32, 9 February 2022

2022-02-09T06:32:01Z

Tao alexis at 23:48, 1 October 2021

2021-10-01T23:48:49Z

Tao alexis at 17:31, 31 August 2020

2020-08-31T17:31:28Z

Tao alexis at 17:38, 18 August 2020

2020-08-18T17:38:50Z

Tao alexis at 17:38, 18 August 2020

2020-08-18T17:38:39Z

Tao alexis: /* Rolling Surprise */

2020-08-18T17:36:26Z

Rolling Surprise

Tao alexis: /* On Guard */

2020-08-18T17:35:58Z

On Guard

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:33, 14 April 2026
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	[[Backstabbing (sage study)]]<br>		[[Backstabbing (sage study)]]<br>
	[[Combat\|Combat]]		[[Combat\|Combat]]
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		+	[[Category: Reviewed]]

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 [[File:Surprise.jpg|right|490px|thumb]]
-'''Surprise''' is a circumstance that might occur between parties at the moment of contacting one another, indicating the possibility that one or both parties might be taken aback by the unexpected occurrence.  Combatants that are surprised are effectively [[Stun Lock|stunned]] and unable to take action until the surprise has passed.  When a party "achieves surprise," it means that the party not surprised is in a position to take advantage of their surprised opponents.
+'''Surprise''' is a circumstance that may occur when parties first come into contact, indicating that one or both may be taken unawares by the encounter. Combatants who are surprised are effectively [[Stun Lock|stunned]] and cannot act until the surprise has passed. When a party "achieves surprise," it means the opposing party is unable to respond while the unsurprised side is free to act.
-When one party is surprised and the other is not, then surprise supplants the need to roll [[Initiative|initiative]].  When both parties are surprised, no one is able to take action immediately and initiative must be rolled to see which party recovers from surprise first.
+When one party is surprised and the other is not, surprise replaces the need to roll [[Initiative|initiative]]. When both parties are surprised, neither can act immediately, and initiative must be rolled to determine which party recovers first.
 == Conditions ==
-Surprise occurs when there is a legitimate chance for individuals to be taken unawares.  This most commonly occurs when a party has not seen or heard others, and therefore has no foreknowledge of the other's presence.  Being ambushed (particularly when the party feels safe), moving around a corner without carefully looking first, rushing through a door and the distraction of making or breaking [[Camp|camp]]; conversing with others so than enemies may approach unheard; being in a state of wearyness, drunkedness or sleep; and expecting one thing and getting another.
+Surprise occurs when there is a reasonable chance that individuals may be caught unawares. This most often happens when a party has neither seen nor heard another, and therefore has no foreknowledge of its presence. Typical situations include [[Ambush|ambush]], particularly when a party feels secure - turning a corner without care - rushing through a door - distraction while making or breaking [[Camp|camp]] - conversation that masks approaching enemies - states of weariness, drunkenness or sleep - and situations where expectations are contradicted.
-In the case of the latter, surprise might occur when the party has determined the presence of orcs beyond a door.  Feeling certain of this, they kick the door open — only to find that the orcs include a large, unexpected ogre.  Naturally, this would be a time to roll surprise.  On the other hand, if there were only orcs, then the party would not roll surprise upon kicking in the door — though the orcs would.
+In the last case, a party may determine that orcs are present beyond a door and act on that assumption. If they break the door open and encounter not only orcs but also an unexpected ogre, surprise should be rolled. If only orcs are present, the party would not roll surprise for opening the door, though the orcs would.
 == Rolling Surprise ==
-Once it has been determined that surprise might occur, each party potentially affected rolls a d6.  The DM randomly designates a person to roll for the player character's party, NPCs included, while the DM rolls for all others.  Surprise occurs with a 1-2 chance in 6. Each roll applies to all the individuals upon each side of a conflict.  Individuals may, however, adjust the die roll in their favour.
+When surprise is possible, each affected party rolls a d6. The DM designates a random person to roll for the player character party, including NPCs, while the DM rolls for all others. Surprise occurs on a result of 1-2 in 6. Each roll applies to all individuals on that side, though individuals may modify the result in their favour.
-For example, the player party's die roll is a "2," indicating the party is surprised.  However, as the surprise occurs in the wilderness, the [[Ranger (class)|ranger]] in the party is not surprised, because in that environment a ranger can be surprised only on a 1.  Therefore, while the rest of the party would be unable to act, the ranger would be able to roll initiative against an unsurprised enemy, or take advantage of the enemy's surprise.  [[Assassin (class)|Assassins]], [[Monk (class)|monks]] and [[Thief (class)|thieves]] also have circumstances during which they are resistant to surprise.
+: '''For example''', if the player party rolls a 2, the party is surprised. However, if the [[Encounter|encounter]] occurs in the [[Wilderness|wilderness]], a [[Ranger (class)|ranger]] in the party is not surprised, as a ranger in that environment is surprised only on a 1. While the rest of the party cannot act, the ranger may roll initiative against an unsurprised enemy or act against a surprised one. [[Assassin (class)|Assassins]], [[Monk (class)|monks]] and [[Thief (class)|thieves]] also have circumstances that reduce their chance of being surprised.
-Some races and monsters, such as [[Elf Race & Physiology|elves]] or [[Lynx|lynx]], and rangers too, are able to move so quietly that they are better able to surprise than ordinary.  The chance for these creatures to surprise will be written as, "surprise on a 1-4," which indicates that any party rolling ''against'' these creatures will be surprised if the result is a 4 or less.  This special attack will apply to everyone, though assassins, monks, rangers and thieves (when it applies) will gain a +1 bonus against being surprised by such creatures.
+Some creatures, including [[Elf Race & Physiology|elves]], [[Lynx|lynx]] and rangers, [[Stealth (sage ability)|move so quietly]] that they are more likely to surprise others. This is expressed as "surprise on a 1-4," meaning that opponents rolling against such creatures are surprised on a result of 4 or less. This applies to all targets, though assassins, monks, rangers and thieves receive a +1 bonus to resist such surprise when applicable.
+[[Dexterity (ability stat)|Dexterity]] provides no bonus to surprise, unlike its effect on initiative.
 == On Guard ==
-'''[[On Guard (sage ability)|On guard]]''' is an ability that allows [[Fighter (class)|fighters]], [[Paladin (class)|paladins]] and rangers to remain cognizant of their surroundings, so that they will not be required to roll surprise when encountering an enemy.
+'''[[On Guard (sage ability)|On guard]]''' is an ability that allows [[Fighter (class)|fighters]], [[Paladin (class)|paladins]] and rangers to remain aware of their surroundings, removing the need to roll surprise when encountering an enemy.
-Additionally, for any intelligent being, if there is good reason to believe than an enemy is nearby and will probably attack, and the party takes all proper precautions, then there should be no reason for the party to roll to see if they are surprised.  The DM should be reasonable in such matters.  Obviously, a party cannot always be "ready;" but there are times when they are consciously taking no other action except to be ready.
+In addition, any intelligent party that has strong reason to expect an attack and takes appropriate precautions should not be required to roll for surprise. The DM should apply judgement in these cases. A party cannot remain ready at all times, but when they are doing nothing else and are fully focused on readiness, surprise should not apply.
-See Also,<br>
+See also,<br>
 [[Assassination (sage ability)]]<br>
 [[Backstabbing (sage study)]]<br>
 [[Combat|Combat]]

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 == On Guard ==
-'''[[On Guard|On guard]]''' is an ability that allows [[Fighter (class)|fighters]], [[Paladin (class)|paladins]] and rangers to remain cognizant of their surroundings, so that they will not be required to roll surprise when encountering an enemy.
+'''[[On Guard (sage ability)|On guard]]''' is an ability that allows [[Fighter (class)|fighters]], [[Paladin (class)|paladins]] and rangers to remain cognizant of their surroundings, so that they will not be required to roll surprise when encountering an enemy.
 Additionally, for any intelligent being, if there is good reason to believe than an enemy is nearby and will probably attack, and the party takes all proper precautions, then there should be no reason for the party to roll to see if they are surprised.  The DM should be reasonable in such matters.  Obviously, a party cannot always be "ready;" but there are times when they are consciously taking no other action except to be ready.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:32, 9 February 2022
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−	[[File:Surprise.jpg\|right\|~~420px~~]]	+	[[File:Surprise.jpg\|right\|490px\|thumb]]
	'''Surprise''' is a circumstance that might occur between parties at the moment of contacting one another, indicating the possibility that one or both parties might be taken aback by the unexpected occurrence. Combatants that are surprised are effectively [[Stun Lock\|stunned]] and unable to take action until the surprise has passed. When a party "achieves surprise," it means that the party not surprised is in a position to take advantage of their surprised opponents.		'''Surprise''' is a circumstance that might occur between parties at the moment of contacting one another, indicating the possibility that one or both parties might be taken aback by the unexpected occurrence. Combatants that are surprised are effectively [[Stun Lock\|stunned]] and unable to take action until the surprise has passed. When a party "achieves surprise," it means that the party not surprised is in a position to take advantage of their surprised opponents.

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 == Conditions ==
-Surprise occurs when there is a legitimate chance for individuals to be taken unawares.  This most commonly occurs when a party has not seen or heard others, and therefore has no foreknowledge of the other's presence.  Being ambushed (particularly when the party feels safe), moving around a corner without carefully looking first, rushing through a door and the distraction of making or breaking camp; conversing with others so than enemies may approach unheard; being in a state of wearyness, drunkedness or sleep; and expecting one thing and getting another.
+Surprise occurs when there is a legitimate chance for individuals to be taken unawares.  This most commonly occurs when a party has not seen or heard others, and therefore has no foreknowledge of the other's presence.  Being ambushed (particularly when the party feels safe), moving around a corner without carefully looking first, rushing through a door and the distraction of making or breaking [[Camp|camp]]; conversing with others so than enemies may approach unheard; being in a state of wearyness, drunkedness or sleep; and expecting one thing and getting another.
 In the case of the latter, surprise might occur when the party has determined the presence of orcs beyond a door.  Feeling certain of this, they kick the door open — only to find that the orcs include a large, unexpected ogre.  Naturally, this would be a time to roll surprise.  On the other hand, if there were only orcs, then the party would not roll surprise upon kicking in the door — though the orcs would.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:38, 18 August 2020
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−	[[File:Surprise.jpg\|right\|~~490px~~]]	+	[[File:Surprise.jpg\|right\|420px]]
	'''Surprise''' is a circumstance that might occur between parties at the moment of contacting one another, indicating the possibility that one or both parties might be taken aback by the unexpected occurrence. Combatants that are surprised are effectively [[Stun Lock\|stunned]] and unable to take action until the surprise has passed. When a party "achieves surprise," it means that the party not surprised is in a position to take advantage of their surprised opponents.		'''Surprise''' is a circumstance that might occur between parties at the moment of contacting one another, indicating the possibility that one or both parties might be taken aback by the unexpected occurrence. Combatants that are surprised are effectively [[Stun Lock\|stunned]] and unable to take action until the surprise has passed. When a party "achieves surprise," it means that the party not surprised is in a position to take advantage of their surprised opponents.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 18 August 2020
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	Some races and monsters, such as [[Elf Race & Physiology\|elves]] or [[Lynx\|lynx]], and rangers too, are able to move so quietly that they are better able to surprise than ordinary. The chance for these creatures to surprise will be written as, "surprise on a 1-4," which indicates that any party rolling ''against'' these creatures will be surprised if the result is a 4 or less. This special attack will apply to everyone, though assassins, monks, rangers and thieves (when it applies) will gain a +1 bonus against being surprised by such creatures.		Some races and monsters, such as [[Elf Race & Physiology\|elves]] or [[Lynx\|lynx]], and rangers too, are able to move so quietly that they are better able to surprise than ordinary. The chance for these creatures to surprise will be written as, "surprise on a 1-4," which indicates that any party rolling ''against'' these creatures will be surprised if the result is a 4 or less. This special attack will apply to everyone, though assassins, monks, rangers and thieves (when it applies) will gain a +1 bonus against being surprised by such creatures.
		+
		+	[[Dexterity (ability stat)\|Dexterity]] grants no bonuses to the determination of surprise as it does for initiative.

	== On Guard ==		== On Guard ==