Surprise Round
Summary:
Details:
Before combat begins, the CK determines if one or the other party is surprised. Surprise is a situation in which the adventuring party happens upon monsters and neither is aware nor expects the other. Surprise establishes who becomes aware first. The group that successfully surprises the other gains a free combat round in which to act. Those that are surprised get no action. After the surprise round, combat proceeds normally.
Surprise may involve a situation where two characters or groups are unaware of each other, or a situation where one group is attempting to surprise another. Before any surprise roll is made, the Castle Keeper must determines if surprise is possible. A group that is aware of another’s presence cannot be surprised. Situations often arise in which one group is not able to surprise another, such as if they have to pass over a hallway strewn with dead leaves that crack and pop when stepped on, thus warning the inhabitants of the room down the hallway.
Even in those instances in which surprise is possible, there is always a chance something could go awry and the surprise fails to occur. If a party can be surprised, a wisdom attribute check is made by the individual in the group with the best chance of succeeding at it, or by each member of the group individually. If the check is successful, that party or individual is not surprised. Failure indicates surprise.
When two separate parties could be surprised, both groups or individuals in the groups must make the wisdom check. If both groups fail the check, they are both surprised and nothing occurs as they stare at one another in a moment of stunned silence. Initiative is then rolled as normal.
The chances for surprise can be mitigated by many circumstances. If a party is well hidden or camouflaged and awaiting a group of poorly perceptive orcs on a brightly lit road, the Castle Keeper may decide to penalize the wisdom check for the orcs. In general, the bonus or penalty should remain within a range of -5 to +5, although it might be greater in extraordinary situations.
Example:
Returning to the example of Angthar and the goblin, suppose that Angthar came upon a group of goblins and they were unaware of his presence. He decides to leap off a narrow ledge into the goblins, landing amidst them, reigning blows left and right as they scratch and claw to get away from his deadly blade. In such an instance, the Castle Keeper would roll a wisdom check for the goblins to determine if they are surprised. If surprised, Angthar would get a free round to attack them. If not, Angthar and the goblins would roll initiative and combat would proceed.
From Castles and Crusades - Player's Handbook p. 171
Possible Circumstances that Affect Wisdom/Surprise Checks (use common sense to add more)
SURPRISE* MODIFIERS
Camouflaged/Concealed +5
Actively searching +3
Normal activity +0
Running or charging -3
Sleeping or unaware -5
- 1. CK/DM determines if 1 or both sides can be surprised.
- 2. 'Surprised' group makes a wisdom check (by individual with best chance to succeed). Failure means they are surprised. Other group gets a free round of combat while surprised group does not act. If both groups fail, neither acts (look at each other in stunned surprise for 1 round).
- 3. Initiative is then determined and regular combat rounds commence.
Details:
Before combat begins, the CK determines if one or the other party is surprised. Surprise is a situation in which the adventuring party happens upon monsters and neither is aware nor expects the other. Surprise establishes who becomes aware first. The group that successfully surprises the other gains a free combat round in which to act. Those that are surprised get no action. After the surprise round, combat proceeds normally.
Surprise may involve a situation where two characters or groups are unaware of each other, or a situation where one group is attempting to surprise another. Before any surprise roll is made, the Castle Keeper must determines if surprise is possible. A group that is aware of another’s presence cannot be surprised. Situations often arise in which one group is not able to surprise another, such as if they have to pass over a hallway strewn with dead leaves that crack and pop when stepped on, thus warning the inhabitants of the room down the hallway.
Even in those instances in which surprise is possible, there is always a chance something could go awry and the surprise fails to occur. If a party can be surprised, a wisdom attribute check is made by the individual in the group with the best chance of succeeding at it, or by each member of the group individually. If the check is successful, that party or individual is not surprised. Failure indicates surprise.
When two separate parties could be surprised, both groups or individuals in the groups must make the wisdom check. If both groups fail the check, they are both surprised and nothing occurs as they stare at one another in a moment of stunned silence. Initiative is then rolled as normal.
The chances for surprise can be mitigated by many circumstances. If a party is well hidden or camouflaged and awaiting a group of poorly perceptive orcs on a brightly lit road, the Castle Keeper may decide to penalize the wisdom check for the orcs. In general, the bonus or penalty should remain within a range of -5 to +5, although it might be greater in extraordinary situations.
Example:
Returning to the example of Angthar and the goblin, suppose that Angthar came upon a group of goblins and they were unaware of his presence. He decides to leap off a narrow ledge into the goblins, landing amidst them, reigning blows left and right as they scratch and claw to get away from his deadly blade. In such an instance, the Castle Keeper would roll a wisdom check for the goblins to determine if they are surprised. If surprised, Angthar would get a free round to attack them. If not, Angthar and the goblins would roll initiative and combat would proceed.
From Castles and Crusades - Player's Handbook p. 171
Possible Circumstances that Affect Wisdom/Surprise Checks (use common sense to add more)
SURPRISE* MODIFIERS
Camouflaged/Concealed +5
Actively searching +3
Normal activity +0
Running or charging -3
Sleeping or unaware -5