Surprise Engagements

[Neo|*|Origin]

.... Is there surprise? We are ready for them, and they are ready for us…

Food for thought

[thedungeonmaster]

No; I suppose not. Surprise rarely occurs unless either party is getting ready and makes a Stealth Check. And the other party makes a Perception check, failing which they are surprised. But in most cases, surprise does not come into play.

[Neo|*|Origin]

Readying An Action is described in the "Actions In Combat" section, and uses combat mechanics as Gwydion has pointed out. You cannot ready actions outside of combat - all this does is circumvent the surprise and initiative systems.

It doesn't matter that you are expecting an ambush - if you fail your perception check then you don't notice the enemy, and they get the jump on you. That results in a surprise round , during which aware combatants each get one action. Then you roll initiative and proceed as usual

I guess this post sums it all up.


Also, i think the DM should consider this as well:

Mind you, any hidden creatures would not be visible until after they take their action...

[thedungeonmaster]

In many situations, surprise is extremely unlikely. Two groups travelling on an open road or blundering through a forest notice each other, with no need for Perception checks of any kind. Neither group surprises the other. Surprise can happen when characters or creatures are actively hiding

The quote above is taken from pg 36 of the DMG.

So, that means surprise rarely comes into play unless PCs are telling me they want to sneak up ; and also whether the monsters are hiding. The word is actively hiding. There are rules in the DMG that provide sample situations that give way to surprise. Which also means that if Surprise does come into play... PCs are surprised as long as they fail their Perception checks even though if they are prepared for an onslaught.

As an analogy, typically in horror movies, the protagonist knows that there is something lurking behind the door, and is prepared as he/she proceeds to open the door; but most of the time when the monster or ghost appears, the protagonist is still shocked even if he/she knows something is behind. The protagonist has failed a Perception check there.

As for the monsters that are not seen until they attack... well; that has been incorporated... no worries *evil laughter*