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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gantros" data-source="post: 2112315" data-attributes="member: 15836">You are stating that "start combat = roll initiative" as if it is a firm rule, yet there is a clear example in the DMG that states something different should occur in some cases, i.e. combat-style preparatory actions can be taken without rolling initiative.And to head off any concerns about this breaking the game by allowing everyone to have actions readied all the time, remember the conditions.  Both parties must be aware of each other, and hostile.  Also, neither side can be in a position to threaten the other, or take any action which would do so, without forcing an initiative roll.  But if these conditions are met, preparatory combat actions, including ready actions, should be allowed prior to the initiative roll, and no one should be flat-footed.In other words, you can't just be walking down a corridor with an action ready to strike any hostile creature that appears.  Besides being a very non-specific use of the ready action (which the DMG strongly recommends against allowing), you can't be ready for something you don't even know is there.  However, once you become aware of a potential threat, you can start preparing yourself for combat, and that includes specific actions like pointing your bow down the hallway and getting ready to loose an arrow as soon as an enemy rounds the corner.  Initiative would still be rolled at that point, but because you effectively initiated combat by readying an action, you can eliminate the nonsense about being flat-footed.</blockquote>

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