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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ovinomancer" data-source="post: 7687286" data-attributes="member: 16814">It's not clear to me, because, while I follow your argument about surprise ending after the first turn, that's not actually clear.  I'll grant that your reading is consistent with the rules, but it's not the only available interpretation of them.Further, that ruling leaves a very bad taste in my mouth because, despite your assertions otherwise, I do not think that a primary ability of a sub-class should be locked up behind three checks, one of which is very chancy (initiative) without specific and heavy investment (feats, items, etc.).  It's not that powerful an ability to begin with (an auto-crit just isn't that big a deal, given it's a once a combat, only on surprise), and I think that anything that further cripples it, especially something as swingy as an initiative roll, is just bad for the game.So, I've decided that surprise lasts until you act.  One, that parallels the Assassin's other ability granted alongside assassinate that gives advantage until they've acted.  Two, it allows an assassin that's done the work to close to the target unseen to get their namesake ability.  Three, it's also consistent with the wording of the rules.  Four, it still allows surprised persons to use an appropriate reaction, which fits narratively for me.  Five, I'm just adding numbers, now.As an aside, I'd also like to quibble with you about a monk being able to react to snatch an arrow flying at him.  That ability requires the monk to be aware of the attack.  I generally use that to mean aware of the attacker at the time of the attack, so, no, the monk wouldn't be able to react to the arrow shot from hiding.  If you decide that the monk can perceive the arrow from an unknown and hidden attacker in flight and so can react to it, I shan't argue that point, but know that I disagree with you deeply.  I'm not saying you should lose sleep over that, but you might be a bit restless.  I can have that effect.</blockquote>

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