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<blockquote data-quote="KarinsDad" data-source="post: 7161096" data-attributes="member: 2011">I don't check for surprise a lot either.This is just the set of rules I use when I do. The foes have to be actively hiding because they are aware that the PCs are approaching. This does happen quite a bit in circumstances where some PCs do not have darkvision and are using lights in a dark area (cavern, whatever) and the foes have darkvision; but in something like a building, the NPCs are usually only aware and setting up ambushes if the PCs made a lot of noise (like being in lengthy combats in the same building or casting Lightning Bolt or some such).I have also had one monster out of a group stealth close to &quot;check the noise out&quot;. If he rolls high on his stealth, none of the PCs usually notice him. If he rolls average, it's likely that at least one PC will notice him. Initiatives are rolled and a surprise round occurs and if the one or two PCs that noticed him are able to prevent him from running away to tell his friends, then the friends are not actively setting up an ambush. If he gets away, they are. Even though the PCs know that this one got away, they still don't know where an ambush might occur and can still be surprised a short time later.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="KarinsDad, post: 7161096, member: 2011"] I don't check for surprise a lot either. This is just the set of rules I use when I do. The foes have to be actively hiding because they are aware that the PCs are approaching. This does happen quite a bit in circumstances where some PCs do not have darkvision and are using lights in a dark area (cavern, whatever) and the foes have darkvision; but in something like a building, the NPCs are usually only aware and setting up ambushes if the PCs made a lot of noise (like being in lengthy combats in the same building or casting Lightning Bolt or some such). I have also had one monster out of a group stealth close to "check the noise out". If he rolls high on his stealth, none of the PCs usually notice him. If he rolls average, it's likely that at least one PC will notice him. Initiatives are rolled and a surprise round occurs and if the one or two PCs that noticed him are able to prevent him from running away to tell his friends, then the friends are not actively setting up an ambush. If he gets away, they are. Even though the PCs know that this one got away, they still don't know where an ambush might occur and can still be surprised a short time later. [/QUOTE]

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