Striking the First Blow (Surprise)

(Back to Combat)

Something must happen to start a combat; someone must strike the first blow. Opponents may square up to each other like boxers in the ring, knowing they are engaged in a fight even before the first punch is thrown. If this is the case, the Keeper should start a combat round.

Alternatively the attack may be a complete surprise; a sudden knee to the groin or punch to the jaw, for example. When someone states that they are making a sudden, unexpected attack, they should have the opportunity to surprise their opponent. If the Keeper were to automatically switch to combat rounds, the person who declared the first attack may end up acting last in the DEX order, which would make no narrative sense.

Of course if the target has their wits about them, they may see the attack coming. The Keeper may allow a skill roll to determine if the target anticipates the attack, using either Listen or Spot Hidden to hear or see it coming, or Psychology to perceive the attacker's intent. The Stealth skill of the attacker can be used to set the difficulty level for the investigator's Listen, Spot Hidden, or Psychology skill, or vice versa if the investigator is the one making the surprise attack (remembering that the player should be rolling dice where possible).

Depending on the outcome of the roll:


 * If the target anticipates the attack they may choose to dodge or fight back.
 * If the target fails to anticipate the attack, the Keeper may allow the attack to be an automatic success (unless a fumble is rolled) or award the attacker a Bonus die, depending on the situation. If the attacker is making a ranged attack (for example with a gun or throwing knife), a roll should always be made to hit.

Note: Hitting someone on the head (when attacking unseen) from the rear would automatically succeed (unless fumbled), whereas seizing a weapon from someone's hand would only receive a Bonus die.

When attacking a target that is unable to or chooses not to dodge or fight back, the attacker should roll their attack normally, but will only fail to hit if they roll a fumble. It should be remembered that the Keeper decides when dice rolls are called for. If a person doesn't wake up, why would a dice roll be required to stab or shoot them in their sleep?

Once a surprise attack has been resolved, the Keeper should then switch to combat rounds.