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How does Surprise work in 5e?
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<blockquote data-quote="Hriston" data-source="post: 6469046" data-attributes="member: 6787503"><p>This thread is making it clear to me that an unnoticed threat can only surprise in the first round, meaning that if it remains hidden past the first round, or even past the initiative count of one creature or another, it does not surprise anyone already taking actions in the context of a melee.</p><p></p><p>This is where DM adjudication comes in, because you have to ask yourself why, once combat has commenced or is in the process of commencing, would a creature remain hidden when it means losing the "element of surprise" that its successful stealth check has given it, perhaps to attack with advantage at a later time, similar to a rogue's sneak attack?</p><p></p><p>If the snipers had decided to wait until after the first round to reveal themselves by attacking they would no longer be able to surprise the PCs, but using this as motivation for the timing of their attack is metagaming on the DM's part. So its really up to the DM to decide on the most likely course of action and then apply the rules to the situation that ensues.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hriston, post: 6469046, member: 6787503"] This thread is making it clear to me that an unnoticed threat can only surprise in the first round, meaning that if it remains hidden past the first round, or even past the initiative count of one creature or another, it does not surprise anyone already taking actions in the context of a melee. This is where DM adjudication comes in, because you have to ask yourself why, once combat has commenced or is in the process of commencing, would a creature remain hidden when it means losing the "element of surprise" that its successful stealth check has given it, perhaps to attack with advantage at a later time, similar to a rogue's sneak attack? If the snipers had decided to wait until after the first round to reveal themselves by attacking they would no longer be able to surprise the PCs, but using this as motivation for the timing of their attack is metagaming on the DM's part. So its really up to the DM to decide on the most likely course of action and then apply the rules to the situation that ensues. [/QUOTE]
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How does Surprise work in 5e?
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