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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Eltab" data-source="post: 6829932" data-attributes="member: 6803337">Sure: you took Crossbow Expert as a feat; picked Rogue / Assassin as character class, &c.  You bought two hand crossbows and ammunition.You spent time at table talking about this cool combo you found that sounds really effective and you want to try.In-plot, you find a place where an ambush can be set up.  You alert the DM (me) that you want to do so.  You tell me that you are pre-loading your hand crossbows and otherwise preparing your equipment so the ambush goes off properly.  You make a Stealth roll - hopefully rolling well - to indicate your effectiveness at hiding out of sight.The first time or few, I'm going to make you go through all the details so we can both learn / double-check how this works (or doesn't, if a misconception has arisen).  After we get practice, you can just summarize "I prepare for a capital-A Ambush".The enemy approaches your ambush, and I check if they notice you.  If not, you get to launch an Alpha Strike, remind me that your Assassin abilities are in play, and fire the hand crossbow(s).Roll to hit and implement combat as usual.If anybody is still standing, both you and I should double-check the rules for how your character works mechanically, and when your turn comes up again you can declare what you want to do.I'm not going to let you get all the above if the tactical situation is different.  Suppose "You see a group up ahead coming the other way.  They see you too, and prepare for trouble."  Some of the above still applies - you have the hand crossbows and ammo, Crossbow Expert applies with every crossbow Attack, for instance - but I would rule no Surprise is possible, and other parts of the combo may not be applicable to the tactical situation.I'm not going to nerf something into uselessness just because I (as DM) got the short end of the stick from it, but I'm also not going to let it turn into an always-on instant "I win" button for Team Hero.</blockquote>

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