Surprise (game mechanic)

Achieving Surprise

Surprise can be achieved when initiating combat by attacking an unaware enemy while Hidden or Invisible.

• Some creatures, even when Surprised themselves, may call out to nearby allies to prevent them from being Surprised.
• Certain combat encounters are rigged to always Surprise either the player's party or the enemy party when the proper conditions are met. For example:
  • The first encounter with the Lesser Imps during the Prologue always grants the player a Surprise round.
  • A Mimic will always Surprise the player's party when interacting with it in its disguised form. Attacking it from range will start the battle without being surprised.
  • In the Underdark Beach, a Duergar might spot you, talk to you and call their leader. If you wait for their leader your party is surprised; if you choose to attack, all of the enemies in the area are surprised instead.