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Alternate rules for "Surprise Round"
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<blockquote data-quote="Blue" data-source="post: 8401785" data-attributes="member: 20564"><p>Basically, initiative occurs because someone declares an action that starts combat. Just like two hostile, angry and fully visible sides (no surprise) don't start initiaitive until someone is willing to actually throw the first punch, same in this case. You can't "undeclare" combat.</p><p></p><p>RAW what happens by the rules is that the sniper doesn't take their shot, combat continues and foes know they are in combat, even if they don't see with whom. When the next turn rolls around they can take actions, such as a looking for foes (instead of relying on passive perception), moving, taking cover, casting spells, etc.</p><p></p><p>Now, if you are trying to put more real world realism to it to try to do what you are suggesting, then you first need to confront the metagaming happening with "oh, they rolled higher on initiative so this mechanical thing won't happen" - neither of which the character knows. So nip it in the bud right there. Sometimes the shot just isn't as perfect as it can be, which is also real world realism.</p><p></p><p>Or just make a ruling - you are empowered to do that. If everything is waiting on attack of the sniper, and that will be the declaration of combat, just put them at the top of the round.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Blue, post: 8401785, member: 20564"] Basically, initiative occurs because someone declares an action that starts combat. Just like two hostile, angry and fully visible sides (no surprise) don't start initiaitive until someone is willing to actually throw the first punch, same in this case. You can't "undeclare" combat. RAW what happens by the rules is that the sniper doesn't take their shot, combat continues and foes know they are in combat, even if they don't see with whom. When the next turn rolls around they can take actions, such as a looking for foes (instead of relying on passive perception), moving, taking cover, casting spells, etc. Now, if you are trying to put more real world realism to it to try to do what you are suggesting, then you first need to confront the metagaming happening with "oh, they rolled higher on initiative so this mechanical thing won't happen" - neither of which the character knows. So nip it in the bud right there. Sometimes the shot just isn't as perfect as it can be, which is also real world realism. Or just make a ruling - you are empowered to do that. If everything is waiting on attack of the sniper, and that will be the declaration of combat, just put them at the top of the round. [/QUOTE]
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