is it rule-conform to alert someone in a surprise round?

[drizzit040786]

Hi guys,

I searched for an answer for this particular question and came rather short, so I thought i'll just ask.

When we surprise an enemy, the rules for surprise rounds state, that everyone not aware is surprised and can't act. For me, that would mean they are unable to take ANY action (including free action speak), during the surprise round to alert someone to our presence.

Furthermore, I would argue they cant take any action until its their turn in the initiative order the next turn. They are flat footed after all until they get to act on there initiative spot. Even though speaking is a free action that can be taken out of someone's own turn, i'd say you at least have to be able to act in ANY way before speaking.

My argument is twofold, first if you haven't yet started reacting, (and as long as you are flat-footed until its your turn to act on the first round of regular combat), you aren't even aware of a threat, so how on earth could you be screaming for help?

and second, even if you are aware I don't think taking an action, even a free one can be allowed, since the initiative order shows clearly who can act when, especially in the first round in combat, so talking before its your turn would mean you react to something you aren't even aware of yet and frankly you are taking an action before you could possibly react, before your reflexes even could kick in.

please could someone clarify if i'm missing something or if im on the right track? :)

KR

[VoodistMonk]

You cannot act when you are surprised. To act is to take an action (free, immediate/swift, move, standard, or full). You are flatfooted until you can act in order of initiative.

You cannot act, so you have no actions, free or otherwise.

There are exceptions, such as Sohei monks always being able to act in the surprise round, but these exceptions are rare.

[Mallecks]

Unaware Combatants wrote:

Combatants who are unaware at the start of battle don't get to act in the surprise round. Unaware combatants are flat-footed because they have not acted yet, so they lose any Dexterity bonus to AC.

I agree with VoodistMonk. Creatures unaware of combat can't do anything in the surprise round.

Being flatfooted are not doesn't impact this. So, as soon as the surprise round is over, any enemies now aware of combat can start calling for help.

I suspect this will most likely take the form of screaming in pain from getting stabbed in the back or something like that.