I know on a turn, a creature can speak a few words that doesn't require an action as a result, but simply to convey a message. "Run away Steve!" Or "Steve! Help me please!" And the like. However, can I try to say such things to Steve if we were both surprised?
Talking in combat is generally down to the DM rather than specific rules. For myself, I'd say sure, so long as you stuck to my typical rules on dialogue, which is roughly 6 seconds per player per turn, (so a party of 4 would get a total of 96 seconds per round if they pushed their luck with me) which is significantly more than is realistic, but significantly less than a lot of tables.
I know on a turn, a creature can speak a few words that doesn't require an action as a result, but simply to convey a message. "Run away Steve!" Or "Steve! Help me please!" And the like. However, can I try to say such things to Steve if we were both surprised?
As a DM I'd allow it. The surprise means the character can't take any action but they can say "Oh Shi...!" when they recognize they are in trouble. I try to think of things like this in a cinematic view. If the person who's triggering surprise is trying for stealth, I'd not let their target say anything to preserve the stealthy nature of the scene.
If the person triggering surprise just wants to get the drop on someone that target can cry in quick alarm without ruining the moment.
This is one of those things where I listen to my players and try to flavor the scene to their intent.
Personally I wouldn't allow a surprised character to do anything aside from what they were already doing. That's not to say if they're hit they won't yelp in pain or shout an expletive or three.
And what applies to them also applies to monsters. If the adventurers can't get the free action to cry out then anyone they get the drop on can't either.
I know on a turn, a creature can speak a few words that doesn't require an action as a result, but simply to convey a message. "Run away Steve!" Or "Steve! Help me please!" And the like. However, can I try to say such things to Steve if we were both surprised?
If you’re surprised, you can’t move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, but speaking on your turn doesn't require your action nor your move.
Other Activity on Your Turn: Your turn can include a variety of flourishes that require neither your action nor your move. You can communicate however you are able, through brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.
Agree with the rest on this, I allow folks to yell, even if they can't move or react or attack or anything. No, you can't yell a description of the s**tshow you've just encountered, but "Aaaack! enemies!" or some such is fine. Doesn't impact much, aside from PC's who are not yet involved, but within earshot. I let enemies do it too, most times, allowing them time to perhaps tip off allies, if the situation fits. Also note, at my table there are a few different types of surprised. Popping out of the shadows and slitting a throat can be much stealthier than an arrow to the throat from a distance.
But directly on topic, yes, I let people yell in alarm, just no storytime.
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Talk to your Players.Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
I agree with others and you can talk when surprised but it would have no effect on the first turn of combat. If Bob and Steve are surprised and Bob goes first, he can yell, but Steve is still surprised and can’t take an action etc until the next round like normal.
Edit: basically it isn’t a way to be unsurprised (for you or your party). Unless, of course, someone yells “Spoiler Alert!”, then I might let it slide 😊
I know on a turn, a creature can speak a few words that doesn't require an action as a result, but simply to convey a message. "Run away Steve!" Or "Steve! Help me please!" And the like. However, can I try to say such things to Steve if we were both surprised?
Talking in combat is generally down to the DM rather than specific rules. For myself, I'd say sure, so long as you stuck to my typical rules on dialogue, which is roughly 6 seconds per player per turn, (so a party of 4 would get a total of 96 seconds per round if they pushed their luck with me) which is significantly more than is realistic, but significantly less than a lot of tables.
As a DM I'd allow it. The surprise means the character can't take any action but they can say "Oh Shi...!" when they recognize they are in trouble. I try to think of things like this in a cinematic view. If the person who's triggering surprise is trying for stealth, I'd not let their target say anything to preserve the stealthy nature of the scene.
If the person triggering surprise just wants to get the drop on someone that target can cry in quick alarm without ruining the moment.
This is one of those things where I listen to my players and try to flavor the scene to their intent.
Personally I wouldn't allow a surprised character to do anything aside from what they were already doing. That's not to say if they're hit they won't yelp in pain or shout an expletive or three.
And what applies to them also applies to monsters. If the adventurers can't get the free action to cry out then anyone they get the drop on can't either.
If you’re surprised, you can’t move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, but speaking on your turn doesn't require your action nor your move.
Agree with the rest on this, I allow folks to yell, even if they can't move or react or attack or anything. No, you can't yell a description of the s**tshow you've just encountered, but "Aaaack! enemies!" or some such is fine. Doesn't impact much, aside from PC's who are not yet involved, but within earshot. I let enemies do it too, most times, allowing them time to perhaps tip off allies, if the situation fits. Also note, at my table there are a few different types of surprised. Popping out of the shadows and slitting a throat can be much stealthier than an arrow to the throat from a distance.
But directly on topic, yes, I let people yell in alarm, just no storytime.
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
I agree with others and you can talk when surprised but it would have no effect on the first turn of combat. If Bob and Steve are surprised and Bob goes first, he can yell, but Steve is still surprised and can’t take an action etc until the next round like normal.
Edit: basically it isn’t a way to be unsurprised (for you or your party). Unless, of course, someone yells “Spoiler Alert!”, then I might let it slide 😊
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