Questions about hiding & Called Shots on Opening Volleys

[Vladimir]

Hi all,

Forgive me if this has been answered before (I did a quick, casual search before posting by found no answers).

I am about to do a fight or flight or hide scene in my game, and I have a few questions regarding the rules:

1. Suppose that the PCs choose to hide, should I ask for Stealth checks (at TN 14, or TN 10 + Highest enemy attribute bonus)? And how should I handle the outcome? On the one hand, if a companion fails, they are discovered, and this probably means the whole fellowship has to fight. On the other hand, I could allow companions scoring a Great / Extraordinary success to help 1 / 2 (respectively) companions who failed their Stealth check to succeed instead. But what would be closer to RAW?

2. If they choose to attack, I will rule that they suprise the enemy (no roll required, as the enemy did not expect an ambush). Then, I want to allow Opening Volleys (2 shots for those with bows, one for those with spears). Are companions allowed to attempt called shots on these opening volleys? How about combat tasks, such as 'Prepare Shot'?

Thanks in advance!

[Falenthal]

1. Suppose that the PCs choose to hide, should I ask for Stealth checks (at TN 14, or TN 10 + Highest enemy attribute bonus)? And how should I handle the outcome? On the one hand, if a companion fails, they are discovered, and this probably means the whole fellowship has to fight. On the other hand, I could allow companions scoring a Great / Extraordinary success to help 1 / 2 (respectively) companions who failed their Stealth check to succeed instead. But what would be closer to RAW?

Stealth checks for everyone at TN14 (or more if you consider that the terrain doesn't offer oportunities for hiding). Usually is just at TN14.
The RAW already says that great or extraordinary successes can be used to help 1 or 2 companions.
If, after all successes have been spreaded around the group, half or mor succeed, then they surprise the enemy.
If more than half fail, the company is considered surprised.

2. If they choose to attack, I will rule that they suprise the enemy (no roll required, as the enemy did not expect an ambush). Then, I want to allow Opening Volleys (2 shots for those with bows, one for those with spears). Are companions allowed to attempt called shots on these opening volleys? How about combat tasks, such as 'Prepare Shot'?

If they surprise the enemy, the TN when rolling for Combat Advantatges (Battle test) is lowered.
Then the enemies won't be allowed Opening Volleys, just the heroes.
And Called Shots can be attempted, but not Prepare Shot: Prepare Shot is a Combat Task that can only be done when in Rearward position. During Opening Volleys the Combat positions haven't been chosen yet.


Some details were given by memory, so maybe someone will correct me at some points.
Hope it helps!

[Vladimir]

Thanks! The Stealth is actually not to ambush the enemy, but rather to avoid the fight entirely... so I think it's a slightly different situation. But I guess there are no hard and fast rules for that in RAW, so perhaps it's subject to the LM's interpretation.

[Indur Dawndeath]

Just to clarify. Everyone need to succeed at stealth to ambush
But great and Extraordinary success can help others to succeed

[Indur Dawndeath]

Thanks! The Stealth is actually not to ambush the enemy, but rather to avoid the fight entirely... so I think it's a slightly different situation. But I guess there are no hard and fast rules for that in RAW, so perhaps it's subject to the LM's interpretation.

You can choose to rule that the fight is avoided if half of the company succeed stealth. An ambush should be more difficult than hiding and avoiding the confrontation.
You can also select fellowship role like Look-out to make a roll...

[Vladimir]

Thanks! The Stealth is actually not to ambush the enemy, but rather to avoid the fight entirely... so I think it's a slightly different situation. But I guess there are no hard and fast rules for that in RAW, so perhaps it's subject to the LM's interpretation.

You can choose to rule that the fight is avoided if half of the company succeed stealth. An ambush should be more difficult than hiding and avoiding the confrontation.

Fair point. I think I will follow your advice!

[Falenthal]

Just to clarify. Everyone need to succeed at stealth to ambush
But great and Extraordinary success can help others to succeed

Thanks! That's right.

It's why elves don't want dwarves around when ambushing goblins...

[Falenthal]

Just for completions sake, here's where my mistake about "half the company" comes from:

If the company is being ambushed, the heroes roll for Awareness, Hunting or Battle (depending on the situation). If half or more of the company succeeds, they are considered defenders regarding initiative and Preliminary rolls' TN. Those surprised, though, cannot do Opening Volleys.