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How Would this Surprise Example Play Out?
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<blockquote data-quote="Arial Black" data-source="post: 6984695" data-attributes="member: 6799649"><p>I'll explain in another way.</p><p></p><p>In 5E, 'surprise' is a game mechanic. It doesn't mean 'astonished' or 'I did not see you'; it just means that you cannot move or act on your first turn, and cannot take reactions until your first turn is over.</p><p></p><p>Let's take your example. In the living room, brother A is hiding behind the couch, but he's got a big butt so you notice him as soon as you walk into the room, and can hear him trying to stifle his guffaws.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, brother B is hiding in the suspiciously large and empty picnic basket(!) and you fail to notice him.</p><p></p><p>So, as you imagine it, you are not 'surprised by' brother A (you'd think you'd've learned their names by now!) but you <em>are</em> 'surprised by' brother B.</p><p></p><p>How would that work? If you are 'surprised' then you cannot move or act on your first turn. Since you <em>are</em> surprised by B but <em>not</em> surprised by A, when your turn comes up, can you act? Or not?</p><p></p><p>If you act, then that's wrong because you are 'surprised by' B. But if you are not allowed to act because 'surprise', what is preventing you acting against brother A that you've seen?</p><p></p><p>Simply put, 'surprise' is not something that a creature 'does' to you! Instead, 'surprise' is a state that you are either in or not in. It is binary; you are 'surprised' OR not 'surprised'. It is not possible to be both at once.</p><p></p><p>Now, being <em>aware</em> of an individual creature does depend on each creature. If brother A jumps up and shouts, "BOO!" then you'd punch him in the face before he got to the second 'O'. But if brother B jumps out, you're going to need another change of pants; he's got advantage against you because you didn't see him, and although you are ready for trouble and <em>can</em> take reactions before your first turn, some reactions require you to be able to see your attacker, and those won't work against hidden brother B.</p><p></p><p>Does that make sense?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Arial Black, post: 6984695, member: 6799649"] I'll explain in another way. In 5E, 'surprise' is a game mechanic. It doesn't mean 'astonished' or 'I did not see you'; it just means that you cannot move or act on your first turn, and cannot take reactions until your first turn is over. Let's take your example. In the living room, brother A is hiding behind the couch, but he's got a big butt so you notice him as soon as you walk into the room, and can hear him trying to stifle his guffaws. Meanwhile, brother B is hiding in the suspiciously large and empty picnic basket(!) and you fail to notice him. So, as you imagine it, you are not 'surprised by' brother A (you'd think you'd've learned their names by now!) but you [i]are[/i] 'surprised by' brother B. How would that work? If you are 'surprised' then you cannot move or act on your first turn. Since you [i]are[/i] surprised by B but [i]not[/i] surprised by A, when your turn comes up, can you act? Or not? If you act, then that's wrong because you are 'surprised by' B. But if you are not allowed to act because 'surprise', what is preventing you acting against brother A that you've seen? Simply put, 'surprise' is not something that a creature 'does' to you! Instead, 'surprise' is a state that you are either in or not in. It is binary; you are 'surprised' OR not 'surprised'. It is not possible to be both at once. Now, being [i]aware[/i] of an individual creature does depend on each creature. If brother A jumps up and shouts, "BOO!" then you'd punch him in the face before he got to the second 'O'. But if brother B jumps out, you're going to need another change of pants; he's got advantage against you because you didn't see him, and although you are ready for trouble and [i]can[/i] take reactions before your first turn, some reactions require you to be able to see your attacker, and those won't work against hidden brother B. Does that make sense? [/QUOTE]
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