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<blockquote data-quote="Caliban" data-source="post: 7117112" data-attributes="member: 284">I don't know, I think this is a still a DM call.I let my players attack objects all the time without going into &quot;Combat mode&quot;.&nbsp; &nbsp; They may be hacking apart a chain, breaking a door (with your weapon instead of a Str check), shooting a rope, etc.On the other hand, I sometimes have them roll initiative even if combat isn't happening - usually because they are all trying to interact with the same object or something similar, and it's an expedient way to determine who does their thing first.&nbsp; The DM could also decide that this particular NPC is a mook with no importance to the story and just say &quot;Fine, you cut the guard down with a single stroke of your axe, but the other guards are attempting to raise the alarm.&nbsp; Roll initiative.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp; If it's a situation where the DM knows the guards have no real chance against the PC's (especially if the barbarian is right next to the guard, so there is no need to move and possibly generate Opp Attacks), and if the guard has no reaction spells or abilities that trigger on an attack, why waste the time?&nbsp; &nbsp; Say it happens and move on to the real fight.If you don't like doing it that way....then don't.&nbsp;&nbsp; It's a tool in the DM's bag, but nothing says you have to use it.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Caliban, post: 7117112, member: 284"] I don't know, I think this is a still a DM call. I let my players attack objects all the time without going into "Combat mode". They may be hacking apart a chain, breaking a door (with your weapon instead of a Str check), shooting a rope, etc. On the other hand, I sometimes have them roll initiative even if combat isn't happening - usually because they are all trying to interact with the same object or something similar, and it's an expedient way to determine who does their thing first. The DM could also decide that this particular NPC is a mook with no importance to the story and just say "Fine, you cut the guard down with a single stroke of your axe, but the other guards are attempting to raise the alarm. Roll initiative." If it's a situation where the DM knows the guards have no real chance against the PC's (especially if the barbarian is right next to the guard, so there is no need to move and possibly generate Opp Attacks), and if the guard has no reaction spells or abilities that trigger on an attack, why waste the time? Say it happens and move on to the real fight. If you don't like doing it that way....then don't. It's a tool in the DM's bag, but nothing says you have to use it. [/QUOTE]

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