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How does Surprise work in 5e?
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<blockquote data-quote="Riley37" data-source="post: 6468926" data-attributes="member: 6786839"><p>Reasonable, assuming that the encounter starts as a combat.</p><p></p><p>Situational questions: Does the main force jump out from behind trees and charge, trying to surprise the PCs? Or does it approach openly and demand tribute? Do the archers open fire while the main force charges?</p><p></p><p>If I were bandits hoping to force a surrender, then I'd probably ask for tribute, and if the travelers refuse, the archers shoot, while the main force holds its ground. If the travelers turn to search woods for archers, THEN the main force charges them. If the travelers don't move, fine, the archers empty their quivers into travelers. If the travelers charge the main force, then the main force awaits the charge (spear butts braced into the ground and all that), while the archers are now shooting at the travelers from behind (shields no longer add to AC).</p><p></p><p>This works even better if the bandits have placed caltrops on the road, to hamper travelers charging the main force. "You want to travel this road? For only 100 GP, we'll remove these caltrops from your path."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Riley37, post: 6468926, member: 6786839"] Reasonable, assuming that the encounter starts as a combat. Situational questions: Does the main force jump out from behind trees and charge, trying to surprise the PCs? Or does it approach openly and demand tribute? Do the archers open fire while the main force charges? If I were bandits hoping to force a surrender, then I'd probably ask for tribute, and if the travelers refuse, the archers shoot, while the main force holds its ground. If the travelers turn to search woods for archers, THEN the main force charges them. If the travelers don't move, fine, the archers empty their quivers into travelers. If the travelers charge the main force, then the main force awaits the charge (spear butts braced into the ground and all that), while the archers are now shooting at the travelers from behind (shields no longer add to AC). This works even better if the bandits have placed caltrops on the road, to hamper travelers charging the main force. "You want to travel this road? For only 100 GP, we'll remove these caltrops from your path." [/QUOTE]
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How does Surprise work in 5e?
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