How does one handle initiative when the PCs launch an attack against a character that they are interacting with? My group has had a few situations where they didn't like what an NPC told them, so they decided to just kill them on the spot. They wondered if they'd get something akin to a surprise round, but RAW, that wouldn't make sense since their target is aware of their presence. Especially in cases where their weapons are already drawn.
How does one handle initiative when the PCs launch an attack against a character that they are interacting with?
When combat starts, everyone (including the NPCs) roll initiative. Start at the top and work your way down.
You could have a surprise round if, say, someone was intentionally distracting them while the others try to casually ready their weapons or something, but I would have bluff checks, slight of hand checks, and perception/sense motive checks to see if the NPC buys it or stays aware.
The initiative is how quick they are to act, so a super quick lightning reflexes type NPC might still go before the party, even if the party are the ones who decide it's killing time.
It would work the same way in reverse, if an NPC decides to attack the party, they could still end up going first once combat begins.
How does one handle initiative when the PCs launch an attack against a character that they are interacting with? My group has had a few situations where they didn't like what an NPC told them, so they decided to just kill them on the spot. They wondered if they'd get something akin to a surprise round, but RAW, that wouldn't make sense since their target is aware of their presence. Especially in cases where their weapons are already drawn.
You always roll initiative unless people really get the jump on the other.
Usually, that means ambush, i.e. the others don't even know they're there because they're hidden. Blending into a crowd and then surging forth could also work.
If you're already talking to someone, you have to act faster. Wanting to act faster won't help. In some cases, I might allow a bluff check to make them seem non-hostile (though that won't work if weapons are already drawn).
You definitely just don't get to "call surprise round".
I get that sometimes. "But the guy was just sitting there, and I decided now to disintegrate him. I should get a surprise round." My usual answer is: "Okay, if you want to play that way. Just remember that I can do the same, too, and the guy who's going to jump you might be 10 levels higher than you..."
When in doubt, Perception check.
If both sides would obviously make the perception check, due to proximity or a total lack of conditions where stealth can be used, then you have a standard initiative.
If anyone is in a position to fail a perception check against a person starting the aggression, then you might be looking at a surprise round.
That's how I do it, anyway.
Trying to "act real fast so you hit before the enemy knows what's going on" is called "initiative".
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Just imagine how much your players would scream at you if you suggested a creature could attack them in the middle of a conversation and get a surprise round. That would never fly. Likewise this shouldn't fly, if everyone is aware of everyone else you roll init, particularly if weapons are already out.
How does one handle initiative when the PCs launch an attack against a character that they are interacting with? My group has had a few situations where they didn't like what an NPC told them, so they decided to just kill them on the spot. They wondered if they'd get something akin to a surprise round, but RAW, that wouldn't make sense since their target is aware of their presence. Especially in cases where their weapons are already drawn.
personal view: Unless the NPC was a close friend or someone who thought the PC's were his buddies they should not get any advantage.
Rules: There is no way to legally give them a jump on someone by the rules. I am sure the NPC would have his guard up if talking to a bunch of armed people, especially if he is not being nice to them.
You could use sleight of hand to draw a dagger without drawing attention and save yourself an action. However, as soon as you tried to use it, you'd need to roll initiative.
First, a bluff check to send a secret message to the group that says you're about to attack. You can only talk to one person in the group and send this message effectively, so everyone else has to pick up on it with sense motive. The person you're attacking gets a sense motive, too.
If anyone fails that sense motive check, they're surprised when you initiate combat.
If anyone succeeds that sense motive check, they're not surprised when you initiate combat.
PCs don't have a hive mind. They can't just be standing in front of a guy and go "Let's attack him! We'll get the surprise round" to his face. They have to play it out in-character.
Depending on this guy's disposition to you, I'd say you even get a penalty to your bluff in regards to his sense motive.
ie,
Turn a corner, see an owlbear. "Wow, this isn't where I parked my car!" you exclaim. Bluff to pass that message. If you get DC 20, you tell the person behind you you're in trouble and everyone else has to try to pick up on it. The owlbear gets to try to see through that ruse with a +10 to his sense motive, effectively.
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I've given an attacking group a Bluff check vs. Sense Motive in a particular situation where the attackers had been interacting in a friendly fashion for a considerable time, appeared to be unarmed and had a pre-agreed plan to attack when a certain event occurred.
It probably needs a similar degree of setting up for experienced adventurers (good or evil) to relax their guard enough to be surprised.
Late, but thanks for the clarification everybody. Sounds pretty unanimous.