Ferox4
First Post
In this case I agree that "by the rules" initiative is rolled the moment a hostile action is attempted. That's the black & white:
PC: Screw this, I slowly draw my dagger.
DM: OK, before you do that I want initiative rolls from everyone.
On the other hand, if a I were a Rogue PC (or other PC with good Bluff) I'd want to use my skill to get the drop on someone. This is where the Sense Motive vs. Bluff opposed skill checks work nicely. It's not in the initiative rules, per se, but I believe it's a good use of skills. It is clearly, however, a house rule:
PC: Screw this, I slowly draw my dagger.
DM: Roll a d20. (DM checks the PCs Bluff modifier, rolls his Sense Motive checks). Anyone (NPCs & PCs alike) that fail to beat the PCs Bluff check don't get to act in the surprise round. It would also be a good time (as the PC drawing the dagger) to pass the DM a note instead of blurting it out.
PC: Screw this, I slowly draw my dagger.
DM: OK, before you do that I want initiative rolls from everyone.
On the other hand, if a I were a Rogue PC (or other PC with good Bluff) I'd want to use my skill to get the drop on someone. This is where the Sense Motive vs. Bluff opposed skill checks work nicely. It's not in the initiative rules, per se, but I believe it's a good use of skills. It is clearly, however, a house rule:
PC: Screw this, I slowly draw my dagger.
DM: Roll a d20. (DM checks the PCs Bluff modifier, rolls his Sense Motive checks). Anyone (NPCs & PCs alike) that fail to beat the PCs Bluff check don't get to act in the surprise round. It would also be a good time (as the PC drawing the dagger) to pass the DM a note instead of blurting it out.
