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{{cond|Surprised}} is a special [[Conditions|condition]] that can affect [[List of Creature Types|creatures]] during the first round of combat.  
== Surprised ==
{{cond|Surprised}} is a special [[Conditions|condition]] that can affect [[List of Creature Types|creatures]] during the first round of combat. When one side of a combat encounter is unaware of the other side, they may be '''Surprised'''. A '''Surprised''' creature cannot take any [[Action]]s or [[Reaction]]s for one combat round. Characters with the [[Alert]] feat, the [[Feral Instinct]] feature or under the effects of certain items (like the {{RarityItem|Elixir of Vigilance}}) cannot be '''Surprised'''.  


== Overview ==
Certain combat encounters, especially ones that occur after an in-game cutscene, are set to always {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party. These can usually be countered by utilizing conditions such as {{cond|Invisible}} or hiding in heavily obscured areas with spells such as {{SAI|Darkness}} before triggering them.
When one side of a combat encounter is unaware of the other side, they may be '''Surprised'''. A '''Surprised''' creature cannot take any [[Action]]s or [[Reaction]]s for one combat round. Characters with the {{SAI|Alert}} feat, the {{SAI|Feral Instinct}} feature or specific items (such as the {{RarityItem|Elixir of Vigilance}}) cannot be '''Surprised'''.
 
Certain combat encounters, especially ones that occur after an in-game cutscene, are set to always {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party. These can usually be countered by utilizing the aforementioned features or else conditions such as {{cond|Invisible}} or hiding in heavily obscured areas with spells such as {{SAI|Darkness}} before triggering them.
 
== How to Surprise Enemies ==
 
The key to {{cond|Surprised|surprising}} enemies is line of sight: they must have a clear line of sight to the character surprising them. If they do not, then they will begin searching for that character and will NOT be {{cond|Surprised|surprised}} once they find them and begin combat.
 
This can make it challenging and counter-intuitive to successfully surprise a group of enemies. Precautions such as the following may aid in the process:
 
* 1) Use {{SAI|Hide}} to put the ENTIRE party into stealth, including pets.
* 2) Ungroup the party, including pets, then select one party member as the ambusher and move them into position to trigger the surprise.
* 3) Keep the other party members and pets some distance away while the ambusher approaches the enemy from outside their vision cones. If they cross a vision cone in a {{Cond|Clear Area}} then they will instantly be spotted, but if they are {{Cond|Lightly Obscured}} or {{Cond|Heavily Obscured}} then they must succeed a [[Stealth]] roll against the enemy's [[Perception]] check. On a successful roll the enemies will not notice the character, but on a failed roll they will initiate combat without being {{cond|Surprised|surprised}}.
* 4) The ambusher MUST initiate combat from within line of sight of the enemy. If they do, then the enemy should be {{cond|Surprised|surprised}}. However, if they are out of line of sight then the enemies will begin searching for the party member and will NOT be {{cond|Surprised|surprised}} once they find them and begin combat.
* 5) Once the enemy is {{cond|Surprised|surprised}}, the rest of the party can be moved into position to join the fight. They will be drawn into the fight once they either enter an enemy's vision cone or attack them.
 
If a character's [[Stealth]] is high enough then enemies will sometimes fail to notice them even as their allies are being attacked and killed from a distance. This can even work with Area of Effect spells such as {{SAI|Fireball}} as long as the party member casting it remains hidden. The enemies will run around in a desperate search for the party member but be unable to find them. This can be accomplished with a high [[Dexterity]] score, [[Proficiency]] and [[Expertise]] in stealth, {{Advantage}} in dexterity or stealth checks, and certain spells and abilities such as {{SAI|Pass Without Trace}}.
 
=== Triggering Surprised from Invisibility ===
The most reliable way to {{cond|Surprised|surprise}} an enemy is to become {{Cond|Invisible}} and attack them. This invisibility can come from any source (e.g {{MdRarityItem|Potion of Invisibility}}, {{SAI|Invisibility}}, {{SAI|Greater Invisibility}}, or {{MdRarityItem|Shadow of Menzoberranzan}}). The [[Quasit]] and [[Imp]] pets will also work, as will {{SAI|Wild Shape: Panther}}.  


== List of Surprise encounters ==
== List of Surprise encounters ==
=== Act 1 ===
* Sneaking into the [[Overgrown Ruins#Refectory|Overgrown Ruins Refectory]] will leave [[Andorn]] {{cond|Surprised}}.
* Sneaking into the [[Overgrown Ruins#Refectory|Overgrown Ruins Refectory]] will leave [[Andorn]] {{cond|Surprised}}.
* Interacting with certain caskets in the cave inside the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] will cause an [[Agile Guardian]] to burst out and {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party.
* Interacting with certain caskets in the cave inside the [[Apothecary's Cellar]] will cause an [[Agile Guardian]] to burst out and {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party.
* Attacking the bloated [[hyena]]s along the [[Risen Road]] will leave them {{cond|Surprised}}.
* Attacking the bloated [[hyena]]s along the [[Risen Road]] will leave them {{cond|Surprised}}.
* [[Magma Mephit]]s will {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party if they approach the mithral vein closest to the [[Adamantine Forge]].
* All [[Mimic]] combat encounters will always {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party when interacting with them in their disguised form. Attacking them from range will start the battle without being surprised.
* In the [[Underdark]], approaching the [[Underdark#Petrified Battlefield|Petrified Battlefield]] will initiate combat with a [[Spectator]], triggering a cutscene which leaves the party {{cond|Surprised}}.
* In the [[Underdark]], approaching the [[Underdark#Petrified Battlefield|Petrified Battlefield]] will initiate combat with a [[Spectator]], triggering a cutscene which leaves the party {{cond|Surprised}}.
* Approaching the [[Underdark#Beach|Underdark Beach]] will trigger a conversation with a Duergar. If attacked immediately, the whole Duergar party will be left {{cond|Surprised}}. If [[Gekh Coal]] is called and he turns hostile, the player's party will be {{cond|Surprised}} instead.
* Approaching the [[Underdark#Beach|Underdark Beach]] will trigger a conversation with a Duergar. If attacked immediately, the whole Duergar party will be left {{cond|Surprised}}. If [[Gekh Coal]] is called and he turns hostile, the player's party will be {{cond|Surprised}} instead.
* In the [[Grymforge]], attacking the 3 [[Mimic]]s will always {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party when interacting with them in their disguised form. Attacking them from range will start the battle without being surprised.
*  At the end of "[[Dribbles]]'" performance at the [[Circus of the Last Days]], the party will be left {{cond|Surprised}} unless the ambush is observed through passive [[Perception]] checks, in which case the ambushers will be {{cond|Surprised}} instead.
* [[Magma Mephit]]s will {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party if they approach the mithral vein closest to the [[Adamantine Forge]].
 
=== Act 2 ===
* In the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], 3 separate encounters with [[Blight]]s can {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party if they get too close to them.
* In [[Moonrise Towers]], attacking the [[Mimic]] will always {{cond|Surprised|Surprise}} the party when interacting with them in their disguised form. Attacking them from range will start the battle without being surprised.
 
=== Act 3 ===
*  At the end of "[[Dribbles]]'" performance at the [[Circus of the Last Days]], the party will be left {{cond|Surprised}} unless the ambush is noticed through passive [[Perception]] checks, in which case the ambushers will be {{cond|Surprised}} instead.


[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]
[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]


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