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Hello, as a GM I've been having serious problems with hidden strike to the point my players morale is dropping and lurking trough the hidden strike threads hadn't produced any anwsers.
From what I read Hidden strike is a weaker version of sneak attack that can only shine when the enemy is unaware of the vigilane presence,
Question 1: does it also mean, during first round of combat to enemies that are flatfooted and it was their first encounter against the vigilante in question?
Question 2: For a 5th level ability startling appearance seems very weak. You can make people flatfooted, but they would be flatfooted during a suprise round so why bother? Is it only -4 to hit that matters.
Overall during Council of thieves campaign Vigilante had to be given special protection from the DM not to feel like an npc rather than a PC. It is very troubling to see it especially as Council seems like Vigilante's native enviorment.
I imagine Assassins Creed while picturing this ability being used. You are correct that the opponent would be flat-footed during the surprise round anyway, however, you may still be hidden when combat starts and this would allow you to make your opponent flat-footed after the surprise round should you still approach him unaware of you. This would obviously be most effective while being invisible.
That being said, there is still the -4 to the enemy's attacks for 1 round... which might be what the ability is mainly meant for. When you successfully initiate a surprise round, you "startle" them so badly they suffer a -4 on their attacks against you until the beginning of your next turn. Not powerful... but not useless.