are ALL combatants (pcs and enemy) limited to standard / move action during surprise round?


Rules Questions


The Surprise Round: If some but not all of the combatants are aware of their opponents, a surprise round happens before regular rounds begin. In initiative order (highest to lowest), combatants who started the battle aware of their opponents each take a standard or move action during the surprise round. You can also take free actions during the surprise round

may be silly question: All combatants, both pcs and enemies, are limited to standard or move actions during initial surprise round as long as they're all aware of each other? we have been playing pcs who make perception checks can make the one combat action while the enemies who surprised us can move and attack, full-round and ect.

ty all


There are some abilities and items that allow for more than a standard action during a surprise round. But assuming nothing like that is in play yes, everyone that does act during a surprise round will typically be limited to a single standard action.

It's also worth noting that when you are limited to a single standard action that you can still make a partial charge and use free and swift actions.


All combatants, both PCs and NPCs, are limited to standard/move actions during a surprise round. In general, there are no operational rules that apply differently to PCs than to NPCs (and to do otherwise would destroy verisimilitude).


What Orfamay Quest said. With the caveat that certain items or feats may allow you to do more than just take a standard or move action in the surprise round.

The penalty is that if the ambush is done well, then only the enemies get to act in the surprise round (that is the PCs don't notice the enemies). If all combatants are aware of one another, then it shouldn't be a surprise round.


Orfamay Quest wrote:

All combatants, both PCs and NPCs, are limited to standard/move actions during a surprise round. In general, there are no operational rules that apply differently to PCs than to NPCs (and to do otherwise would destroy verisimilitude).

ty

my gm would rule that since an enemy party was ambushing/surprise on pcs, they would'nt be limited in any way. i can't even tell you how many times mooks and monsters double moved swarm, charge, or full round on our flatfooted pc party

it's good to know


Bran Towerfall wrote:
Orfamay Quest wrote:

All combatants, both PCs and NPCs, are limited to standard/move actions during a surprise round. In general, there are no operational rules that apply differently to PCs than to NPCs (and to do otherwise would destroy verisimilitude).

ty

my gm would rule that since an enemy party was ambushing/surprise on pcs, they would'nt be limited in any way. i can't even tell you how many times mooks and monsters double moved swarm, charge, or full round on our flatfooted pc party

it's good to know

Partial charges are legal in a surprise round.

CRB, Combat chapter wrote:
If you are able to take only a standard action on your turn, you can still charge, but you are only allowed to move up to your speed (instead of up to double your speed) and you cannot draw a weapon unless you possess the Quick Draw feat. You can't use this option unless you are restricted to taking only a standard action on your turn.


Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

don't forget the caveat, in paraphrasing the late great Robin Williams:

"He who has the [DM screen] makes the rules."

i.e. if your DM wants to run things differently, he get to do that, it's his game after all (except for PFS). Just make sure that if you set up an ambush, you get the same benefit.


just talked to gm..
he was cool. we both laughed because that core rulebook item got by us. he also said the rule goes both ways depending who's setting up ambush so all is good.i'm just glad i have combat reflexes, the rogue has uncanny dodge, and the paladin has the defensive stategist trait lol

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