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<blockquote data-quote="Shiroiken" data-source="post: 7178482" data-attributes="member: 6775477">The simplest is to say &quot;he suddenly begins muttering an incantation. Roll for initiative.&quot; This is the most common method I've seen, because as soon as anyone begins a hostile act, initiative is called for. This does not allow for surprise, but gets things going quickly once you decide to start the combat.Another method I like, assuming the NPC is trying to lull the party into a sense of security, is to call for Wisdom/Insight against his Charisma/Deception. Anyone who fails to match his result is surprised when he quickly starts a spell. This gives a bit more nuance, but due to the additional check, may take a bit to figure out who's surprised before you begin the combat.In no situation do I suggest allowing the NPC to get off the spell without a chance of the party being ready. It's not out of a sense of fairness, but because once you set the precedence, the party will try to do the same (over, and over, and over again).</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Shiroiken, post: 7178482, member: 6775477"] The simplest is to say "he suddenly begins muttering an incantation. Roll for initiative." This is the most common method I've seen, because as soon as anyone begins a hostile act, initiative is called for. This does not allow for surprise, but gets things going quickly once you decide to start the combat. Another method I like, assuming the NPC is trying to lull the party into a sense of security, is to call for Wisdom/Insight against his Charisma/Deception. Anyone who fails to match his result is surprised when he quickly starts a spell. This gives a bit more nuance, but due to the additional check, may take a bit to figure out who's surprised before you begin the combat. In no situation do I suggest allowing the NPC to get off the spell without a chance of the party being ready. It's not out of a sense of fairness, but because once you set the precedence, the party will try to do the same (over, and over, and over again). [/QUOTE]

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