Flat-footed at the start of combat?


Rules Discussion


Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

In PF1, you were flat-footed at the start of combat as long as you had not have a chance to act (CRB 1 p. 178). This seems to be gone in PF2 since nowhere in the new CRB this is mentioned. But there seems to be a hint of the old rule in the example of play at the beginning:

CRB 2 (p. 14) wrote:

James: "Okay, and I get to add extra damage due to sneak attack."

Rogues have the ability to deal extra damage to foes that haven’t acted yet in an encounter.

and p. 181:

Sneak Attack
When your enemy can’t properly defend itself, you take advantage to deal extra damage. If you Strike a creature that has the flat-footed condition (page 620) …

So the example makes sense only if the enemy is flat-footed because it hasn't acted yet.

So: Is the old rule realy gone, or is it an oversight?


Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

Its a rogue specific feature.


Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Ah. Which one?


Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber
Lanx wrote:
Ah. Which one?

Surprise Attack


Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Thank you, that's it. This is answering my question.

Sovereign Court

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook Subscriber

You also are considered flat footed if they aren't aware of your presence, such as if the party sneaks up and ambushes something. They only become aware of you when you attack.


So I like the way it is worded in 2nd edition. I always hated that if you didn’t act you were flat footed. So we are fighting I haven’t got to act but I knew we frighting, doesn’t matter you are flat-footed and can’t do anything. Never made sense.

Now it states the GM decides if you get reactions before your first turn. If I know we are about to fight or start an encounter but haven’t acted then I am all for people getting reactions.

Now keep in mind the Rogue can ONLY surprise attack if they rolled stealth or deception for initiative. So it is situational.

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