If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. The DM determines who might be surprised. In these situations, one side of the battle gains surprise over the other. A gelatinous cube glides down a dungeon passage, unnoticed by the adventurers until the cube engulfs one of them. SurpriseĪ band of adventurers sneaks up on a bandit camp, springing from the trees to attack them. When everyone involved in the combat has had a turn, the round ends. Each participant in the battle takes a turn in initiative order.ĥ. Everyone involved in the combat encounter rolls initiative, determining the order of combatants' turns.Ĥ. Given the adventurers' marching order or their stated positions in the room or other location, the DM figures out where the adversaries are-how far away and in what direction.ģ. The DM decides where all the characters and monsters are located. The DM determines whether anyone involved in the combat encounter is surprised.Ģ. Once everyone has taken a turn, the fight continues to the next round if neither side has defeated the other.ġ. The order of turns is determined at the beginning of a combat encounter, when everyone rolls initiative. During a round, each participant in a battle takes a turn. A round represents about 6 seconds in the game world. The game organizes the chaos of combat into a cycle of rounds and turns. The Order of CombatĪ typical combat encounter is a clash between two sides, a flurry of weapon swings, feints, parries, footwork, and spellcasting. “You” can also mean the character or monster that you control. The Dungeon Master controls all the monsters and nonplayer characters involved in combat, and each other player controls an adventurer. Throughout this section, the rules address you, the player or Dungeon Master. This section provides the rules you need for your characters and monsters to engage in combat, whether it is a brief skirmish or an extended conflict in a dungeon or on a field of battle. Combat in D&D can be chaotic, deadly, and thrilling. Roars of fury, shouts of triumph, cries of pain. The sharp tang of blood in the air, cutting through the stench of vile monsters. A brilliant flash of light as a ball of flame blossoms from a wizard’s spell. The terrible rending sound as monstrous claws tear through armor. The clatter of a sword striking against a shield.

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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