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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Paraxis" data-source="post: 6695802" data-attributes="member: 13009">If the monk is snoozing he would be unconscious  and not able to take reactions. Incapacitated is the condition that prevents you from taking actions or reactions. The paralyzed, petrified, stunned and unconscious conditions all also make you incapacitated.So as long as the monk meets all the requirements to use his deflect missiles ability they can use it. Those requirements are having a reaction to use, being able to use a reaction (so not being incapacitated for example), and being hit by a ranged missile weapon. In your example a blind monk who is meditating is attacked with a ranged missile weapon, they can indeed use their deflect missiles ability.  Now we can get this back to the topic of surprise, if the monk is surprised they can not use reactions until they have taken their first turn.So this is how it would play out in my game.Blind elf monk who is meditating during a long rest is in a "semi-conscious" state, I rule that they are not unconscious some DM's rule differently.  An assassin fires a bow out from the cover of trees and darkness (not that it matters because the guy is blind) at the monk.  Initiative is rolled. If the assassin goes first all is good for him, the monk is still surprised and can't use reactions the assassin if he doesn't roll poorly and miss will hit and do his sneak attack damage and it will be a critical hit.   If on the other hand the blind monk wins initiative (doubtful because I would most likely apply disadvantage for being in the middle of meditation and being ambushed) and goes first by the time the assassin fires his arrow the monk can use their reaction to deflect the missile and because the monk is no longer surprised the attack is not an automatic critical hit.  The monk will reduce the damage by 1d10+ dex mod + monk level, if the monk reduces it down to 0, and has a free hand, they could catch the arrow and throw it back at the assassin, as the reaction interrupted the assassins turn the assassin hasn't had a chance to bonus action hide yet, and the attack revealed the assassins location, the monk spends a ki point and hurls the arrow back at the assassin, with disadvantage obviously because he is blind.I think the above works by the rules of the game, and for narrative reasons no matter who wins the initiative.  I even think the monk throwing the arrow back is much more entertaining for everyone at the table.</blockquote>

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