5.11 Awareness and Surprise

In combat, creatures are sometimes not fully aware of danger, which makes them less able to defend against it. A creature can be described as either aware, unaware (-6 Armor and Ref), or partially unaware (50% miss chance, -2 Armor and Ref) of an attack against it. Normally, creatures are aware of all attacks against them in combat. This causes no special bonuses or penalties.

Sometimes, creatures are fully unaware (-6 Armor and Ref) that they are in danger from attack. This typically happens as a result of stealth, but it can also happen as a result of sudden treachery. A creature takes a -6 penalty to Armor and Reflex defenses against attacks that it is unaware of. After being attacked, an unaware creature typically stops being fully unaware of future attacks.

A creature that knows that it is in danger and is attempting to defend itself, but does not know the exact location or nature of its attackers, is partially unaware (50% miss chance, -2 Armor and Ref). For example, a creature that is already in combat that is attacked by a previously unseen foe is partially unaware of the attack. Similarly, a creature that just barely fails to beat an opponent’s Stealth check may hear an ominous sound that makes it partially aware of danger without knowing the exact location of any attackers.

5.11.1 Surprise Attacks

Sometimes, creatures are not aware that combat is taking place when the combat starts. This most commonly happens with ambushes. Any creature that is not aware of the combat continues taking whatever actions it would normally be taking until it becomes aware of the combat. It is usually unaware (-6 Armor and Ref) of all until that point, though unusually vigilant or perceptive creatures may be partially unaware (50% miss chance, -2 Armor and Ref).

If a surprise attack begins a combat, the creatures who initiate the attack can choose which phase to start in. Generally, they should start in action phase, though sometimes the movement phase is more advantageous for the attackers.