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Nils_Lindeberg · 05-25-2019, 02:54 PM

Surprise only counts if the eavesdropper starts the fight and bursts in. If the fight already started he has no surprise advantage timewise, since he is actually waiting for the others to start the whole thing.

He could have a code word set up with his friend, so when the friend inside says that, they can both act coordinated and probably get a surprise action. The opening of the door might be enough of a distraction to give the insider a first surprise action too.

Opening a door or running upstairs or swinging down a chandelier rope from the top floor is all movement. Sometimes it requires a save, other times a talent, but almost always it is just a straight MA cost. Jump is one such example. If the movement is more of a complicated action, like turning a key and then put your mailed glove on before you rush through a door, it could require both a save and whole action. Or multiple actions like repairing the jammed wagon wheel needed for the party's escape while the rest of the crew holds off the bad guys.

And kicking in a door could even be considered an attack...

GM fiat is the thing, but try to be consistent. And MA costs are easy to calculate for broken ground, jumps, small feats of climbing or balancing challenges. If it is a fight, focus on the fighting actions with small quick MA penalties. If it is an environmental challenge, make it more complicated with talents and saves in multiple steps.

05-25-2019, 02:54 PM	#7
Nils_Lindeberg Join Date: Jul 2018	Re: Opening Doors, and Moving Last Surprise only counts if the eavesdropper starts the fight and bursts in. If the fight already started he has no surprise advantage timewise, since he is actually waiting for the others to start the whole thing. He could have a code word set up with his friend, so when the friend inside says that, they can both act coordinated and probably get a surprise action. The opening of the door might be enough of a distraction to give the insider a first surprise action too. Opening a door or running upstairs or swinging down a chandelier rope from the top floor is all movement. Sometimes it requires a save, other times a talent, but almost always it is just a straight MA cost. Jump is one such example. If the movement is more of a complicated action, like turning a key and then put your mailed glove on before you rush through a door, it could require both a save and whole action. Or multiple actions like repairing the jammed wagon wheel needed for the party's escape while the rest of the crew holds off the bad guys. And kicking in a door could even be considered an attack... GM fiat is the thing, but try to be consistent. And MA costs are easy to calculate for broken ground, jumps, small feats of climbing or balancing challenges. If it is a fight, focus on the fighting actions with small quick MA penalties. If it is an environmental challenge, make it more complicated with talents and saves in multiple steps.