Translated to pathfinder rules, this is a case of using the bluff skill to get a surprise round.
Wait, is this an actual rule?
Wait, is this an actual rule?
Not a Core rule, but:
Surprise: Not every surprise round begins with an ambush from unseen assailants. If a character or several characters unexpectedly attack in the midst of a conversation or other normal activity, their victims might be surprised. To determine if a victim is surprised, he should attempt a Sense Motive check opposed by the assailant’s Bluff check rather than a Perception opposed by the assailant’s Stealth check.
Of course, this rule encourages the 'interrupt the GM's monologue' issue that we're trying to get around here...
|
You can also have the villain throw accusations at the PCs, getting them involved to talk back rather than initiate violence. Like those scenes in JRPGs where all the main characters re-affirm their reasons for refusing to give up.
Just remember to include plenty of social constructivism if your villain is irredeemable: mandatory pronouncements of inevitability, demanding the PCs account for all the bodies of Evil Minions they've stepped over while dismissing the villain's own innocent death toll, maybe even telling the PCs that they're the true Evil for foiling the villain's perfect plan.
If you do it right and get the PCs involved, you can build it up to the point where you've given them all the information you wanted, then a player will shout, "That's it, I'm attacking!" or you can just end it with something like, "If you will not surrender, I will be forced to defend myself! Have at you!" and either way, give a call for initiative.
Oh, and also, it might be handy to figure out with the PCs ahead of time whether or not public speaking counts for spell durations. Either PCs will be okay with letting buff timers run out, or they'll prefer to just fight so as not to lose any of theirs.
Wait, is this an actual rule?Not a Core rule, but:
Surprise: Not every surprise round begins with an ambush from unseen assailants. If a character or several characters unexpectedly attack in the midst of a conversation or other normal activity, their victims might be surprised. To determine if a victim is surprised, he should attempt a Sense Motive check opposed by the assailant’s Bluff check rather than a Perception opposed by the assailant’s Stealth check.Of course, this rule encourages the 'interrupt the GM's monologue' issue that we're trying to get around here...
I didn't know this was an actual rule... I may start using this... :) Finally my villains will at least have a chance to finish a monologue haha :P
You can also have the villain throw accusations at the PCs, getting them involved to talk back rather than initiate violence. Like those scenes in JRPGs where all the main characters re-affirm their reasons for refusing to give up.
Just remember to include plenty of social constructivism if your villain is irredeemable: mandatory pronouncements of inevitability, demanding the PCs account for all the bodies of Evil Minions they've stepped over while dismissing the villain's own innocent death toll, maybe even telling the PCs that they're the true Evil for foiling the villain's perfect plan.
{. . .}
Whoa . . . this sounds disturbingly familiar . . . .
I didn't know this was an actual rule... I may start using this... :) Finally my villains will at least have a chance to finish a monologue haha :PWait, is this an actual rule?Not a Core rule, but:
Surprise: Not every surprise round begins with an ambush from unseen assailants. If a character or several characters unexpectedly attack in the midst of a conversation or other normal activity, their victims might be surprised. To determine if a victim is surprised, he should attempt a Sense Motive check opposed by the assailant’s Bluff check rather than a Perception opposed by the assailant’s Stealth check.Of course, this rule encourages the 'interrupt the GM's monologue' issue that we're trying to get around here...
Eh. Most players won't be deterred by simply not getting a free surprise round.
|
|
Wait, is this an actual rule?Not a Core rule, but:
Surprise: Not every surprise round begins with an ambush from unseen assailants. If a character or several characters unexpectedly attack in the midst of a conversation or other normal activity, their victims might be surprised. To determine if a victim is surprised, he should attempt a Sense Motive check opposed by the assailant’s Bluff check rather than a Perception opposed by the assailant’s Stealth check.Of course, this rule encourages the 'interrupt the GM's monologue' issue that we're trying to get around here...
I see this as encouraging players to converse with the villains and have an actual dialogue before combat starts, which fits the interactive game of pathfinder more organically than a monologue.
I suppose that depends on how you interpret "in the midst of a conversation". I was assuming that if the villain has just started her monologue, that counts as a conversation, so you're rewarded with a surprise round if you roll high enough, and you miss your chance to get the surprise round if she finishes her speech uninterrupted.
But maybe it works better if we interpret "in the midst of a conversation" as meaning you have to actively engage with the villain and say something distracting...
|
|
But maybe it works better if we interpret "in the midst of a conversation" as meaning you have to actively engage with the villain and say something distracting...
Yeah here's the way I see it: it all depends on the circumstances of engagement.
You come around the corner and see each other, there is a tense moment, are you going to fight? You start talking, but everyone's still eyeing each other and fingering their swords. You need to engage in a significant amount of conversation before people start to relax and the possibility of a bluff surprise becomes available.
On the other hand, if you are in a situation where people are not expecting violence, like at a dinner party, then you don't need any conversation to attempt a bluff to surprise knife someone. You can be like hi nice to meet you, hold out one hand and knife em while they shake your hand.
If you want to be picky, a monologue is not a conversation. Conversations requires two or more parties to, you know, converse. Not one blab while the other is just audience.
{. . .}
If you want to be picky, a monologue is not a conversation. Conversations requires two or more parties to, you know, converse. Not one blab while the other is just audience.
This is the theory. But often in practice . . . .