@b_coulthardThx Mike, limited space on Twitter. But, how would you handle surprise if a 3rd grp ambushed 2 groups already fighting together. 3rd group is hidden, gains advantage and related benefits, but does not actually gain surprise by mechanical definition
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) December 2, 2015
@b_coulthard more precisely, 3rd group rolls initiative, inserted into combat order, starts out hidden
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) December 2, 2015
@b_coulthardThx for your reply. This mechanic feels wrong to me as a long time DM. Why not allow surprise, ambushers lose valuable options? surprise applies to someone not currently engaged in a fight – otherwise, any instance of hiding would trigger it
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) December 2, 2015