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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Thalionalfirin" data-source="post: 5903681" data-attributes="member: 15407">I don't believe that's how surprise works.Normally, characters are surprised on a roll of 1 or 2.  The number of segments a party is surprised for is represented by the number rolled.  For example, if the bad guy rolls a 2, he is surprised for 2 rounds.  If the bad guy rolls a 1, he's surprised for 1 round.It's almost impossible to surprise a bad guy for 5 segments.  Elves and halflings traveling alone and in non-metal armor can surprise on a 1-4, but that's about it.Note also that encounter distance for surprise starts at range.  5" - 10" indoors and 6" - 24" outdoors.  You never start at backstab distance in the beginning of surprise.It also takes surprise segments to move.  You can move 1' per 1" of movement rate in a segment so it would take at least one surprise segment to move into a backstab position.Finally, while it is true that you can take a full round of melee attacks each segment of surprise, it is debatable whether dual wielding grants backstab status for both attacks.  Unless I'm mistaken, neither the PH nor the DMG rules one way or the other and thus is left up to the DM.I've played both ways.  As a longtime player of the thief, of course I prefer being allowed to backstab with both weapons, but I am always prepared to play using a single attack for backstab.Theoretically, I can see 3 backstabs (or 6 if you're allowed dual wielding backstab) if you're playing an elf or halfling thief, but the star would have to line up perfectly.</blockquote>

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