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Is my DM being fair?
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<blockquote data-quote="Arial Black" data-source="post: 7414176" data-attributes="member: 6799649"><p>Immunity to Surprise =/= successful Perception check!</p><p></p><p>When deciding who is surprised, the DM <em>usually</em> asks for contested skill checks, and <em>usually</em> chooses Perception/Stealth. If so, then a successful Perception check not only determines that this creature is 'not surprised' but <strong>also</strong> gives some information about exactly <em>what</em> was perceived that leads you to be convinced that combat is starting. The same would apply if the contest was Insight/Deception, or some other combination.</p><p></p><p>But 'Immunity to Surprise', whether from the Alert feat or a Weapon of Warning or some other source, is different. Yes, you are automatically 'not surprised', but NO! you do <strong>not</strong> automatically get the information that is gated behind the successful Perception (or Insight/whatever) check!</p><p></p><p>The creature who is Immune to Surprise gets to roll that opposed Perception check just like everyone else, and success gives him the same information as everyone else. But failure on that check means that they have the same information as that given to those that <em>fail</em> that check ("you see lots of trees!") AND the information that 'combat is starting'. That's all.</p><p></p><p>How does that work? "I've got a bad <em>feeling</em> about this!"</p><p></p><p>If the surprise-immune PC acts before the ambusher, then he still cannot see or perceive the ambusher. He can use his intellect to work out likely dangers, and take whatever action he deems wise:-</p><p></p><p>* "The danger is probably coming from the trees, so I'll move behind this rock and take the Dodge action" Solid idea. Of course, the enemy might be invisible and standing right behind you!</p><p></p><p>* "I'll draw my bow and Ready an action to shoot whoever appears!" Don't worry if it's a friend because the rules for the Ready action include the fact that you are not <em>forced</em> to do the action when the trigger happens.</p><p></p><p>* "I cast <em>blade ward</em> and go into the trees, hoping that the enemy attacks me in melee so that he takes cold damage from my already cast <em>armour of agathys</em>, and if/when he does I'll <em>hex</em> his strength."</p><p></p><p>The Alert PC knows that he cannot perceive the source of danger right now, and makes his decisions accordingly. It can still save your life, even though you cannot directly attack your enemy on your turn.</p><p></p><p>* "I <em>fireball</em> the trees!"</p><p></p><p>...okay, maybe you can...! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Arial Black, post: 7414176, member: 6799649"] Immunity to Surprise =/= successful Perception check! When deciding who is surprised, the DM [i]usually[/i] asks for contested skill checks, and [i]usually[/i] chooses Perception/Stealth. If so, then a successful Perception check not only determines that this creature is 'not surprised' but [b]also[/b] gives some information about exactly [i]what[/i] was perceived that leads you to be convinced that combat is starting. The same would apply if the contest was Insight/Deception, or some other combination. But 'Immunity to Surprise', whether from the Alert feat or a Weapon of Warning or some other source, is different. Yes, you are automatically 'not surprised', but NO! you do [b]not[/b] automatically get the information that is gated behind the successful Perception (or Insight/whatever) check! The creature who is Immune to Surprise gets to roll that opposed Perception check just like everyone else, and success gives him the same information as everyone else. But failure on that check means that they have the same information as that given to those that [i]fail[/i] that check ("you see lots of trees!") AND the information that 'combat is starting'. That's all. How does that work? "I've got a bad [i]feeling[/i] about this!" If the surprise-immune PC acts before the ambusher, then he still cannot see or perceive the ambusher. He can use his intellect to work out likely dangers, and take whatever action he deems wise:- * "The danger is probably coming from the trees, so I'll move behind this rock and take the Dodge action" Solid idea. Of course, the enemy might be invisible and standing right behind you! * "I'll draw my bow and Ready an action to shoot whoever appears!" Don't worry if it's a friend because the rules for the Ready action include the fact that you are not [i]forced[/i] to do the action when the trigger happens. * "I cast [i]blade ward[/i] and go into the trees, hoping that the enemy attacks me in melee so that he takes cold damage from my already cast [i]armour of agathys[/i], and if/when he does I'll [i]hex[/i] his strength." The Alert PC knows that he cannot perceive the source of danger right now, and makes his decisions accordingly. It can still save your life, even though you cannot directly attack your enemy on your turn. * "I [i]fireball[/i] the trees!" ...okay, maybe you can...! :D [/QUOTE]
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