Got into a brawl in the tavern and not sure what to do next?

Use an improvised weapon to turn the tide of battle!

Here’s everything you’re gonna wanna know about surprising your players in Dungeons & Dragons.

An assassin lurks around a corner in Dungeons & Dragons.

Assassin by Viko Menezes

What Is Surprise?

Surprise can happen in a couple of different ways.

Ultimately,what earns Surprise and what doesn’t is up to the DM.

A group of improvised weapons, including saws, lanterns, nets, and mugs in Dungeons & Dragons.

Animated Objects by Simon Dominic

There aren’t many hard-and-fast rules when it comes to what dictates Surprise or not.

What Does The Surprised Condition Do?

Obviously, this can spell doom for your party’s success.

A series of Animated Objects spring to life in Dungeons & Dragons

Animated Objects by Simon Dominic

Just double-check youexplain to your DM that this is your intentionwhen stealthing around an enemy encampment.

What Is A Surprise Round?

For all intents and purposes,this is homebrew content.

Three rogues infiltrate a vault and steal a gem while attacking a pair of guards in Dungeons & Dragons.

Sneak Attack by Evyn Fong

While many tables use these rules, they are by no means law.

Talk to your DM about how they would prefer to run Surprise and Surprise Rounds.

An Adult Black Dragon breaks into a clockwork fortress in Dungeons & Dragons.

Adult Black Dragon by Martin Mottet

Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald, by Jason A Engle in DND

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