Greybeards & Grognards 2 "Who Dies" and My Life In Gaming Editions.

[Ourph]

Notice also that 1st edition DMG also has substantial fleeing rules, so it's no guarantee that you'll succeed in getting away from that undesired confrontation even with surprise. You basically get a head-start.

It depends on how you interpret the surprise situation. Does surprise mean the other side is aware of you but can't act or does it mean you are aware of them while they are still unaware of you (and won't become aware of you unless the actions you take during your surprise segments specifically make them aware of you - i.e. attacking, yelling "boo!", casting a spell, etc.)? My understanding of the rules is that it's the latter and, to me, the quotes Mark CMG and The Shaman provided above support that interpretation.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

This fallacy seems to be trotted out alot. A Thief can move silently, but anybody can move quietly. A Thief can climb walls (ever try climbing a brick wall?), but anybody can climb a tree. A Thief can hide in shadows, but anybody can hide behind full cover.

Once upon a time The Dragon Magazine (1981 or so, I believe) had an article suggesting that DMs not allow any class except Thief to even try those things. I remember reading the article and going 'piffle!'* but it was stated, and in an official publication no less. I believe, but am by no means certain, that the article was by either Gary Gygax or Len Lakofka.

There were no rules for a fighter moving silently, and so, if you accepted that official argument, they could not. Now there are simple and consistent rules governing a paladin in full plate trying to sneak across a hard wood floor. Yes, he will fail, but there are rules allowing him to try.

That said, I allowed non thieves to attempt sneaking, but the only ones who seemed any good at it were druids and wizards, everyone else wore as much armor as they could carry.

The Auld Grump
*Yes, I really use the word Piffle.