Surprise

Before a battle begins, one or both sides may have to check for surprise. The Dungeon Master has the final word on whether or not a surprise check applies. There are situations in which one side may have to make a surprise check but their opponents don’t—for example, an ambush or a nighttime encounter with enemies carrying bright lights. Surprise conditions and modifiers are discussed extensively in the DMG and the PHB (Chapter 11: Encounters for both).

The surprise check is a d10 roll, modified for the surrounding conditions and any special preparations one party or the other makes. Normally, a group is surprised on a roll of 1, 2, or 3. The surprisers get a free round of attacks, movement, or spells against the surprised members of the other group.

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