Need help convincing DM

[Akhkharu]

I'm currently in a campaign and for the first time, I'm playing an archer. I'm also playing the rogue in the group. There is only 1 other character, a human barbarian, both of us at 3rd level.

Anyways, we are in a dungeon crawl and when ever we come to a door, I check it for traps then move back to leave room for the barbarian to open it first. I always tell the DM that I have my bow drawn and ready to fire. The barbarian opens the door and inside we see a kobald taunting a chained orge. The kobald jumps, hearing the door open, pulls a chain which frees the ogre. The ogre then smashes the kobald dead. All of this happens before I even ask if I could get a chance to shoot my arrow.
When I asked the DM if I could get a shot off, he said that I couldn't because I wasn't expecting anything. I left it at that, as I didn't wanted to interupt the game so we continued on with the combat.

Before some people ask, the kobald would not have expected us as we have found what we were looking for a few days ago and only came back to kill some time, having finished what the DM planned for that day early.

What I ask of you all is to help to me to try and convince the DM that when my character does cover the barbarian with his bow, he might be able to take a shot off before combat.

 

[Crothian]

That is the suprise round. However, it seemed like you DM has a certain cut scene designed here that was going to happen no matter what. Talk to him about it and see if that was the case.

I also replied to the other one, before you decided it was the one to be deleted.

 

[fba827]

Perhaps in case there is any confusion you can word your actions slightly differently (not that you worded your actions incorrectly just a different way to make it more solidified in your DM's mind).

I check the door for traps and then move back. I draw my bow and arrow. I nod to the Barbarian that I'm set and READY AN ACTION to fire at (anything that comes towards my friend, etc..)

Albeit you need to have a good "Ready" action definition but stating that simple fact may make it more feasible in your DMs mind what you were and weren't ready for .

But, I do have to say, I agree with Crothian. It seems, more or less, that the DM had a scene already planned out in his mind and pretty much wanted it to happen. (Not that DM's aren't entitled to their whim and fancy after all they have to do )

 

[fett527]

I agree that your DM obviously had the scene already planned, but it was executed poorly. As soon as the Barbarian opened the door and the DM told you what was inside you both should have had a chance to act. In that situation both sides (the PCs and the monsters) would have been equally surprised (you guys didn't know what would be on the other side and they didn't expect anyone to open the door) so initative should have been rolled. You should have been given the chance to act. IF the DM wanted you two fighting an ogre no matter what, he should have done it differently IMO.

 

[the Jester]

Perhaps in case there is any confusion you can word your actions slightly differently (not that you worded your actions incorrectly just a different way to make it more solidified in your DM's mind).

I check the door for traps and then move back. I draw my bow and arrow. I nod to the Barbarian that I'm set and READY AN ACTION to fire at (anything that comes towards my friend, etc..)

Albeit you need to have a good "Ready" action definition but stating that simple fact may make it more feasible in your DMs mind what you were and weren't ready for .

Sorry, I have to differ here. The DMG is quite specific: you cannot ready an action outside of combat. Now, the DM certainly should have given you a chance to shoot first through a Spot or Listen check for surprise, initiative, etc. But the old 1e/2e "first shot with a nocked arrow" trick doesn't work anymore.

 

[fba827]

Sorry, I have to differ here. The DMG is quite specific: you cannot ready an action outside of combat. Now, the DM certainly should have given you a chance to shoot first through a Spot or Listen check for surprise, initiative, etc. But the old 1e/2e "first shot with a nocked arrow" trick doesn't work anymore.

D'oh! -- okay.

Was just trying to think of ways beyond that which you already said (using the surprise round, etc).

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

He should have asked to roll initiative, unless he had a cut scene worked out that he had determined was going to go ahead.

I had this argument with a DM once when I wanted to interrupt a villians speech to just shoot him! The DM told everyone to roll initiative - after a short delay I realised that if I had been allowed to do that the villains could too!

Your DM handled it badly. It was a surprise round on both sides (brief shocked pause) and then roll initiative to see who reacts quickest.

 

[Kaji]

I think all these "Your DM handled it badly" seema little harsh. Many folks have mentioned that if the DM has a cut scene he wants played out, he should be able to do it. It would have only taken a few extra seconds of saying "Unfortunaly, your barbarian friends blocks your firing path" or some such and he's off the hook. So sure, maybe not the most clear, cause it obviously bothered you enough to post about it, but I would not sweat it too much. It should just encourage your DM to give you more lucid reasons why your clever plans don't work