Rethinking the LBB1 Surprise Mechanism

[Golan2072]

The Surprise rules given in LBB1 pp.30-31 appear to be designed for use in random encounters in the open (at worst, in large cavern systems or in the streets of a city) and doesn't seem to fit well to close-quarters combat and to fighting inside starships; also, things such as stealth nad ambushes are not covered. Furthermore, it was published before the Recon skill was added, and therefore doesn't fit well with that skill. LBB4 (under the Recon skill on p.15) lists some notes about spotting, but doesn't give clear surprise rules.

I'm thinking about replacing the surprise rules with spotting rules. If you spot your enemy and he doesn't spot you, you have surprise. If both sides spot each other, there is no surprise. In a random encounter this would be a simple opposed UGM roll using Recon (or Tactics) and Intelligence and modified by some of the LBB1 surprise DMs; I'm not sure about how to do it when involving more complex situations (e.g. PCs setting up an ambush or PCs trying to sneak unnoticed into an enemy facility).

 

[Golan2072]

The Surprise rules given in LBB1 pp.30-31 appear to be designed for use in random encounters in the open (at worst, in large cavern systems or in the streets of a city) and doesn't seem to fit well to close-quarters combat and to fighting inside starships; also, things such as stealth nad ambushes are not covered. Furthermore, it was published before the Recon skill was added, and therefore doesn't fit well with that skill. LBB4 (under the Recon skill on p.15) lists some notes about spotting, but doesn't give clear surprise rules.

I'm thinking about replacing the surprise rules with spotting rules. If you spot your enemy and he doesn't spot you, you have surprise. If both sides spot each other, there is no surprise. In a random encounter this would be a simple opposed UGM roll using Recon (or Tactics) and Intelligence and modified by some of the LBB1 surprise DMs; I'm not sure about how to do it when involving more complex situations (e.g. PCs setting up an ambush or PCs trying to sneak unnoticed into an enemy facility).

 

[Supplement Four]

I've always kinda liked the surprise rules in CT--probably because the die roll is something I'm likely to come up with on my own had it not already been in there.

BUT, many times during a game I don't roll surprise at all. There are so many times, as a combat begins, that it's obvious who goes first or who has surprise.

I usually will use my perogative as GM and "choose" who has surprise.

"As you creep down the dark corridor, one of the hatchways to your left opens...THERE'S A MAN THERE WHO COMES OUT, HIS PISTOL LIFTED IN YOUR DIRECTION!"

That type of thing (above) is obvious to me. The guy who came out of the hatchway suddenly has surprise (or at least initiative for the round).

Now, when I think both sides have a "chance" at surprise, that's when I'll roll the dice.

Let's say the guy, in the example above, creeping down the hallway specifically told me that his character is walking down the hallway, slowly, leery of someone poppoing out one of the hatchways.

In this instance, I wouldn't automatically give the guy popping out of the hatchway surprise. Since the player was alert and looking for it, I'd give him the surprise roll.


But, many times--most of the time--I pick who has surprise rather than roll it.

 

[Supplement Four]

I've always kinda liked the surprise rules in CT--probably because the die roll is something I'm likely to come up with on my own had it not already been in there.

BUT, many times during a game I don't roll surprise at all. There are so many times, as a combat begins, that it's obvious who goes first or who has surprise.

I usually will use my perogative as GM and "choose" who has surprise.

"As you creep down the dark corridor, one of the hatchways to your left opens...THERE'S A MAN THERE WHO COMES OUT, HIS PISTOL LIFTED IN YOUR DIRECTION!"

That type of thing (above) is obvious to me. The guy who came out of the hatchway suddenly has surprise (or at least initiative for the round).

Now, when I think both sides have a "chance" at surprise, that's when I'll roll the dice.

Let's say the guy, in the example above, creeping down the hallway specifically told me that his character is walking down the hallway, slowly, leery of someone poppoing out one of the hatchways.

In this instance, I wouldn't automatically give the guy popping out of the hatchway surprise. Since the player was alert and looking for it, I'd give him the surprise roll.


But, many times--most of the time--I pick who has surprise rather than roll it.