InvisibleMouth's page

Scenario:

Guard on watch. Rogue wants to kill him.

Not yet in combat
Rogue casts invisibility, draws dagger.
Guard fails all Perception checks, and is unaware of rogue.

Just before combat
Rogue decides to attack, combat begins, initiative is rolled. (Rogue 8, Guard 5)

Surprise Round
Init 8: Rogue moves stealthily towards guard.
Init 5: Guard surprised, doesn't notice the rogue.

First Full Round
Init 8: Rogue makes full attack.
Init 5: Guard may act, and is no longer flat-footed.

Everyone is assuming that rogue is better off if he skips attacking in the surprise round so that he gets his full attack. Guess what, he still gets the full attack even if he attacks in the surprise round. You don't have to argue about whether he is ALLOWED to skip his attack, because there is no reason to.

Surprise Round
Init 8: Rogue attacks guard.
Init 5: Guard surprised, can't act.

First Full Round
Init 8: Rogue makes full attack. Guard is STILL flat-footed.
Init 5: Guard may act, and is no longer flat-footed.

By attacking during the surprise round, the rogue gets an extra attack, with no penalty.