Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="zoroaster100" data-source="post: 6122275" data-attributes="member: 8538">After reviewing the exploration rules in the new playtest packet I was a bit confused about how the rules for Keeping Watch vs. Sneaking are supposed to interact with the rules for surprise in the Skills section.&nbsp; I was also concerned that it seems too easy to avoid being surprised and too difficult to surprise the other side.&nbsp; If I understand correctly how the exploration rules are meant to be used, then in a dungeon setting it seems these rules will supersede the normal rules for spotting vs hiding in most cases, except for someone trying to hide in the middle of an ongoing encounter.&nbsp; And the exploration rules say that when moving at a cautious pace, which I think would be the default for most parties during normal dungeon adventures that are not under time pressure, the exploration rules say there is no chance to be surprised.&nbsp; So essentially these rules write surprise out of the rules, except in the very rare situation when a group has to move faster than at a cautious pace.Even when someone is moving at a moderate pace, surprise seems unlikely.&nbsp; Because each person keeping watch can roll a Wis check and any one of them spotting the foe negates surprise, while those sneaking each must roll a Dex check and any of them being spotted negates surprise.&nbsp; So with a party of several players and several monsters, either side gaining surprise is unlikely.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="zoroaster100, post: 6122275, member: 8538"] After reviewing the exploration rules in the new playtest packet I was a bit confused about how the rules for Keeping Watch vs. Sneaking are supposed to interact with the rules for surprise in the Skills section. I was also concerned that it seems too easy to avoid being surprised and too difficult to surprise the other side. If I understand correctly how the exploration rules are meant to be used, then in a dungeon setting it seems these rules will supersede the normal rules for spotting vs hiding in most cases, except for someone trying to hide in the middle of an ongoing encounter. And the exploration rules say that when moving at a cautious pace, which I think would be the default for most parties during normal dungeon adventures that are not under time pressure, the exploration rules say there is no chance to be surprised. So essentially these rules write surprise out of the rules, except in the very rare situation when a group has to move faster than at a cautious pace. Even when someone is moving at a moderate pace, surprise seems unlikely. Because each person keeping watch can roll a Wis check and any one of them spotting the foe negates surprise, while those sneaking each must roll a Dex check and any of them being spotted negates surprise. So with a party of several players and several monsters, either side gaining surprise is unlikely. [/QUOTE]

Verification