Surprise

[Outlanders]

Howdy, all...

A question regarding surprise...

The way I understand things, both the party and the monster or opponent is surprised if they fail their spot or listen check when the other side is trying to use move silently, or hide.

However, the question is this... say a party is walking down a tunnel, not bothering to use stealth, and they're coming to a closed door.

Behind the door is a group of monsters. In order for the monsters not to be surprised, would they have to make a listen check, correct? What would the DC be if the party isn't trying to move silently? Of course, if the party was trying to move silently, it would be an opposed check, that much I understand.

On the other hand, the same party approaches the door, and they don't bother to make a listen check at the door, they just open it.

Would there be no surprise check, or would they still have to make a opposed check, even though neither side was attempting to be quiet?

I hope you understand what I'm asking here....

Chris

 

[shilsen]

Behind the door is a group of monsters. In order for the monsters not to be surprised, would they have to make a listen check, correct?

Yes.

What would the DC be if the party isn't trying to move silently?

If they're not trying to be quiet at all, I'd make it a DC 0 (same as people talking normally). With an intervening door, that's a DC 5, +1 for every 10 ft of distance between the monsters and the party.

On the other hand, the same party approaches the door, and they don't bother to make a listen check at the door, they just open it.

Would there be no surprise check, or would they still have to make a opposed check, even though neither side was attempting to be quiet?

The monsters should get a listen check to hear them, if they're on watch or something similar. If they're occupied in some way, then neither side should get a check, and you can just roll initiative. Note that the first round will not be a surprise round, so combatants will not be restricted to partial actions only.