Surprise

[Dinadon]

Originally Posted by dgrm4

I am still not agreeing with this rule.

1. I find it very hard to believe that the Ambushers may be surprised, UNLESS a monster/alien that they were NOT expecting is part of the group they are trying to ambush.

An ambusher is unlikely to be able to keep that close an eye on their target without spooking them. You're also assuming the ambushers have perfect information. If the squad you can see is walking straight into your trap, but you haven't seen their supporting squad moving through cover, then a counter ambush isn't unlikely. Indeed, royally botching the roll for your ambush is a reasonable enough excuse to assume that your opponents have successfully spotted your ambush and taken appropriate measures to nullify it. Which could mean simply avoiding it, or calling in an air strike to deal with the threat.

Also note time-scale. Even in a prepared position, you're not going to be set up unless you've spotted a potential target, and you're spotting point could be quite far away. This gives several minutes from set-up to execution where you want the target to move along a particular path. If they don't then you're ambush isn't going to work so well.

In other words in isn't a case of roll when they enter ambush zone, but roll when you set up. I think you're assuming that the roll is made when the targets enter the ambush zone, which I think is far too late as that is not a fair point. A fair point would the point where two opposing squads of equal skill have a 50/50 chance of it going either way. That is not the point where a target is about to enter you're ambush zone.

2. Even without Combat Reflexes, if you are searching for another group and expect a fight could happen at anytime, then I still don't think you are going to freeze, unless again something crazy like a monster/alien is part of the group that is ambushing your team.

This is why partial surprise has an incremental bonus, and nothing stops you from doing a dodge and drop when the bullets start flying. However, you do need to work out were the fire is coming from, and this will take a few seconds.