Being aware during the surprise round. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Being aware during the surprise round. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gauze Fireforge
03-01-05, 10:32 PM This has seemed to me be a bit strange so I thought I would get some feedback after a session where this issue was raised.

I am wondering whether being aware (with either post, listen or some other check) during the surprise round means that you are not flat-footed, even if you have not acted before an enemy combatant.

To make this clearer, If one PC is aware during the surprise round but has not acted in the surprise round and the enemy acts first and attacks the aware PC, is he/she flat-footed or not.

I had believed up until now that they would still be flat-footed but looking up the PHB it says (p137) "Unaware combatants: Combatants who are unaware at the start of battle dont get to act during the surprise round. Unaware combatants are flat footed because they have not acted yet, so they lose any dexterity bonus to AC"

So whats the thoughts from every1?
Burgundy Lotus
03-01-05, 10:56 PM I believe the surprise round works as normal so if say 1 PC and the enemies are all eligible to go in the surprise round while the rest of the party is not then the enemies and the 1 PC go as normal.

If 2 of the enemy go before the PC then the PC is flatfooted and the other monsters that go after the PC are considered flat footed to him/her as well.

I hope this makes sense.
CPAtheFat
03-01-05, 11:12 PM Being aware determines whether or not you can act in a surprise round.

Initiative controls flat-footedness.
Fixxxer
03-01-05, 11:38 PM Being aware determines whether or not you can act in a surprise round.

Initiative controls flat-footedness.

In other words, if you're able to act during the suprise round, but your opponent gets initiative on you, you're still considered flat-footed against his attacks because you haven't acted yet.
Gauze Fireforge
03-02-05, 12:18 AM It is how I thought it was and have played thus far.

Thank you all :D
Halberkill
03-02-05, 09:52 AM Also note that you can only take partial actions in a suprize round, either move, or attack, and no full round actions.

Halber

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gauze Fireforge 03-01-05, 10:32 PM	This has seemed to me be a bit strange so I thought I would get some feedback after a session where this issue was raised. I am wondering whether being aware (with either post, listen or some other check) during the surprise round means that you are not flat-footed, even if you have not acted before an enemy combatant. To make this clearer, If one PC is aware during the surprise round but has not acted in the surprise round and the enemy acts first and attacks the aware PC, is he/she flat-footed or not. I had believed up until now that they would still be flat-footed but looking up the PHB it says (p137) "Unaware combatants: Combatants who are unaware at the start of battle dont get to act during the surprise round. Unaware combatants are flat footed because they have not acted yet, so they lose any dexterity bonus to AC" So whats the thoughts from every1?
Burgundy Lotus 03-01-05, 10:56 PM	I believe the surprise round works as normal so if say 1 PC and the enemies are all eligible to go in the surprise round while the rest of the party is not then the enemies and the 1 PC go as normal. If 2 of the enemy go before the PC then the PC is flatfooted and the other monsters that go after the PC are considered flat footed to him/her as well. I hope this makes sense.
CPAtheFat 03-01-05, 11:12 PM	Being aware determines whether or not you can act in a surprise round. Initiative controls flat-footedness.
Fixxxer 03-01-05, 11:38 PM	Being aware determines whether or not you can act in a surprise round. Initiative controls flat-footedness. In other words, if you're able to act during the suprise round, but your opponent gets initiative on you, you're still considered flat-footed against his attacks because you haven't acted yet.
Gauze Fireforge 03-02-05, 12:18 AM	It is how I thought it was and have played thus far. Thank you all :D
Halberkill 03-02-05, 09:52 AM	Also note that you can only take partial actions in a suprize round, either move, or attack, and no full round actions. Halber