Encounter distance

How much is in the PCs control?

I know some encounters are "built" to surprise the party, but in general it doesn't seem to be based on perception or stealth of either PC or monsters.

Does the compendium have rules for this or are they only in the DMG? (can't seem to find anything...)

The distance an encounter begins is usually when the two groups both become aware of each other and that there is hostile intent. This could be as far as LOS or it could be a shorter range and the groups hear each other (like around a corner).

I couldn't find anything either. In prior versions of D&D there were charts showing starting encounter distances.

What I don't like is if you are in view of someone you can never surprise them, even if there is no reason for them to consider you a threat. Like if we are all around a campfire having dinner, and I decide to suddenly attack you, that should be a surprise attack, but RAW states that's not possible.

Hmmm... would it make sense if someone who is in plain view of someone else could "surprise" them by beating the opponent's initiative by more than 15 say? Is there another way we could facilitate this?

Dwarmaj wrote:in general it doesn't seem to be based on perception or stealth of either PC or monsters.

Depends a lot on who's GM. I try to give PCs some opportunities to surprise and be surprised, but doesn't come up often. Does it seem like it's not working well? What fix do you have in mind?

bradly wrote:
Depends a lot on who's GM. I try to give PCs some opportunities to surprise and be surprised, but doesn't come up often. Does it seem like it's not working well? What fix do you have in mind?

Nothing in mind for changes...

Was just trying to find the rules for this in the compendium and couldn't find anything.

If the party has a scout that maxes out Perception, I would think that that would affect encounter distance and whether or not the party is surprised.

Some encounters are "built" to surprise the party, but for others, I was looking for a way to calculate it distance so I know how much Perception to shoot for.