Combat is one of the most fun elements in any Dungeons & Dragons game, which can be made even more fun with the element of surprise. Surprise and Surprise Rounds have taken on many different forms across various versions of D&D, and some tables even like to homebrew their own rules for this mechanic.
For this guide, whether you’re a new player or a veteran, we’re going to break down a few different versions of Surprise and Surprise Rounds, and show you how to run both. Here’s everything you need to know about surprising your players in Dungeons & Dragons.
What Is Surprise?
In Dungeons & Dragons, Surprise is a condition that can be forced onto either the players, NPCs, or monsters.
Surprise is determined before the start of a combat encounter, and cannot occur during or after the encounter is over. Surprise can happen in a couple of different ways.
|
Triggers Surprise |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Successful Stealth Checks |
If either the party or assailants roll successful Stealth checks to hide themselves from the other before combat starts, then the opposing side of combat gets the Surprise condition. If both sides of the encounter are trying to hide, whichever side rolls the higher cumulative Stealth check does not incur Surprise. |
|
Conditions |
Certain conditions like being Unconscious or Incapacitated can force a player or enemy to become Surprised if combat begins while they have either of these conditions. |
|
Roleplay |
If players believe themselves safe, like during a roleplay encounter, the DM can force the Surprised condition on their players at their discretion. As a player, you can try to reverse this effect by tricking an NPC into a false sense of security. Work with your DM to determine whether your roleplay forces the Surprised condition on your opponent. |
Ultimately, what earns Surprise and what doesn’t is up to the DM. There aren’t many hard-and-fast rules when it comes to what dictates Surprise or not.
What Does The Surprised Condition Do?
While many tables like to homebrew Surprise rules (more on this below), the 2024 Player’s Handbook describes Surprise as a condition that imposes disadvantage on Initiative rolls during combat.
So, if your enemy gets the drop on your party, the entire group must roll disadvantage on their Initiative roll. Obviously, this can spell doom for your party’s success.
Alternatively, you can try to impose Surprise on enemies, thus giving yourself an advantage in the Initiative order.
Just make sure you explain to your DM that this is your intention when stealthing around an enemy encampment.
What Is A Surprise Round?
Alternatively, if your table agrees that the 2024 Player’s Handbook rules are not for you, you can use what’s called a Surprise Round instead when players or NPCs earn the Surprised condition.
Here’s how a Surprise Round works, though you can adjust these rules as you see fit.
- Determine Which Side Is Surprised – Settle up stealth rolls and other conditions that might impact Surprise. Then, let the DM decide which side of the encounter is Surprised.
- Roll Initiative – Roll initiative as normal and let your DM know what you rolled so that turn order can be determined.
- Non-Surprised Team Moves First – Any creatures or players who are not Surprised then take their turns in the Initiative order as rolled.
- Surprised Players Or NPCs Cannot Act – For the first full round of combat, any Surprised creatures cannot take Actions, Bonus Actions, or Reactions.
- Play Resumes As Normal – From there, once the Non-Surprised combatants have all taken a turn, the Initiative Order resumes from the top, even if this means that a Non-Surprised player takes two turns before anyone else.
For all intents and purposes, this is homebrew content. While many tables use these rules, they are by no means law. Talk to your DM about how they would prefer to run Surprise and Surprise Rounds.
