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<blockquote data-quote="MostlyHarmless42" data-source="post: 7178611" data-attributes="member: 6845520">Honestly? I tend to these situations as conversations as normal and only ask for initiative when the npcs or first player decides to strike. At that point I will have them all roll, and the action happens on the person's turn who declared their hostile intent. I give anyone a turn ahead of this person if they roll well higher in initiative. Basically in this case it would represent them spotting the gesture and just having faster reflexes. Keep in mind though that there can be all sorts of roleplaying behind striking first though. Are they at a diplomatic meeting for example? Unless the rogue can prove beyond a doubt the npcs was going to cast a spell and strike first, perhaps striking the evil ambassador first *isn't* a good thing? Maybe take the Dodge, hide, or ready action instead? Situations like that reinforce the idea that *why* you are swinging your sword is often far more important than how, and tends to be more rewarding a play experience, though it depends on your group, and tends to help reduce signs of murder-hobo in your game.In the case here? If you wish to give this npc a chance to cast a spell with a deception check, feel free, though realize that opens the door for players to do it. Also, keep in mind the concept that magic with somatic and verbal components is *supposed* to be loud and obvious. It's why the sorcerer metamagic Subtle Spell exists, and is a balancing factor. Were I to want an npc to &quot;go first&quot; because it makes ssnse, I'd just do advantage on initiative for them, and would do the same for any player in a similar &quot;striking first&quot; type scenario.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="MostlyHarmless42, post: 7178611, member: 6845520"] Honestly? I tend to these situations as conversations as normal and only ask for initiative when the npcs or first player decides to strike. At that point I will have them all roll, and the action happens on the person's turn who declared their hostile intent. I give anyone a turn ahead of this person if they roll well higher in initiative. Basically in this case it would represent them spotting the gesture and just having faster reflexes. Keep in mind though that there can be all sorts of roleplaying behind striking first though. Are they at a diplomatic meeting for example? Unless the rogue can prove beyond a doubt the npcs was going to cast a spell and strike first, perhaps striking the evil ambassador first *isn't* a good thing? Maybe take the Dodge, hide, or ready action instead? Situations like that reinforce the idea that *why* you are swinging your sword is often far more important than how, and tends to be more rewarding a play experience, though it depends on your group, and tends to help reduce signs of murder-hobo in your game. In the case here? If you wish to give this npc a chance to cast a spell with a deception check, feel free, though realize that opens the door for players to do it. Also, keep in mind the concept that magic with somatic and verbal components is *supposed* to be loud and obvious. It's why the sorcerer metamagic Subtle Spell exists, and is a balancing factor. Were I to want an npc to "go first" because it makes ssnse, I'd just do advantage on initiative for them, and would do the same for any player in a similar "striking first" type scenario. [/QUOTE]

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