Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Caliban" data-source="post: 7114196" data-attributes="member: 284">There are situations where the PC's can get &quot;auto-surprised&quot;&nbsp; - usually it's due to the special abilities of certain creatures though.&nbsp;&nbsp; Mimics, Gargoyles, Twig Blights all have abilities that make them &quot;indistinguishable&quot; from an object or plant.&nbsp; Unless the PC's have reason to be specifically suspicious of random chests, statues, or plants (such as knowledge that there are mimics, gargoyles, or twig blights in the area), the DM could reasonably rule that they are automatically surprised.That isn't directly relevant to this specific scenario of course, just showing that it is possible.&nbsp;&nbsp; Outside of special abilities that make you indistinguishable or undetectable, there should usually be an opposed check,&nbsp; although if using Passive Perception or Passive Insight, it may be the case that no one has one high enough to detect the Stealth/Deception check, or there are special circumstances that shift the odds, or make ability checks unnecessary (this shouldn't be common, as it's not much fun if it keeps happening).</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Caliban, post: 7114196, member: 284"] There are situations where the PC's can get "auto-surprised" - usually it's due to the special abilities of certain creatures though. Mimics, Gargoyles, Twig Blights all have abilities that make them "indistinguishable" from an object or plant. Unless the PC's have reason to be specifically suspicious of random chests, statues, or plants (such as knowledge that there are mimics, gargoyles, or twig blights in the area), the DM could reasonably rule that they are automatically surprised. That isn't directly relevant to this specific scenario of course, just showing that it is possible. Outside of special abilities that make you indistinguishable or undetectable, there should usually be an opposed check, although if using Passive Perception or Passive Insight, it may be the case that no one has one high enough to detect the Stealth/Deception check, or there are special circumstances that shift the odds, or make ability checks unnecessary (this shouldn't be common, as it's not much fun if it keeps happening). [/QUOTE]

Verification