Not flat-footed in round 1

[Crothian]

Silly rogue didn't know the benefit of ginsuing the wizard as opposed to a random mook, that's his fault isn't it?

Yes, it's all the rogues fault.

 

[hong]

Yes, it's all the rogues fault.

Indeed.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I've always used this houserule, though until recently I didn't realize that it is a houserule. It works just fine, 'cause rogues can still flank, surprise and bluff for SA damage.

 

[glass]

I've always used this houserule, though until recently I didn't realize that it is a houserule. It works just fine, 'cause rogues can still flank, surprise and bluff for SA damage.

Ninjas are a bit screwed, though.


glass.

 

[hong]

Ninjas are a bit screwed, though.


glass.

Yeah. It's something I'll think more about if/when someone in my group wants to play a ninja. (They get screwed over by uncanny dodge and Blind-Fight so they could do with some rethinking anyway.)

 

[Engilbrand]

I never even knew that the 1st round of combat was like that until the group that I currently play in. It doesn't really unbalance anything to play without the first round including flat-footedness.

 

[Bagpuss]

I went for the half-way house rule, (stolen from Spycraft) where you are flat-footed until your action or you take damage. That if you just happened to be jumped by six rogues*, only the first gets his sneak attack on his first attack (if he has more than one).

I think no flat-footed does shaft the Barbarian, Rogue, Ninja, (other Prestige classes with Sudden Strike), etc. this seems a happy medium to me.

*A certain room in a certain Adventure Path.

 

[Darklone]

You guys don't like classical Western movie showdowns?

 

[Kahuna Burger]

I endorse this house rule heartily. Flat footed is for suprise rounds, bluffing and invisable opponents. Not the guy you see right there being threatening a half minute game time before the DM decides to go on initiative and declares you flat footed even though you've been moving and acting based on their presence and hostility. (No, I'm not bitter, why?)

And the whole staying on initiative. I have argued many times for just staying on initiative count when moving between rooms, because I don't want to be screwed by being declared flat footed when I still have short term combat buffs up, sword out and am actively looking for the next guy to fight. (Still not bitter. Not at all. )

 

[Kahuna Burger]

You guys don't like classical Western movie showdowns?

I think such a showdown is far more reasonably modeled by a initiative check without flatfootedness. Both are drawing but one is a little faster. One doesn't draw his gun and line up a perfect shot while the other is inexplicable distracted from the fight by a bird flying by. "Oh, I'm sorry, were you going to SHOOT me? I totally didn't regard you as a threat while staring you down and waiting to draw my gun..."