how is TB mode suppose to worK in solo?

[CrashedHaven]

I found an ambush, set my characters up to take a bunch out at once, and when i use one spell it just initaties combat and all my heros are now surprised. how am I suppose to pull off a big move if turn based doesnt allow 4 moves first.

[Aether]

I think the way it works is that whoever Initiates combat is the one that gets the bonus!

Personally I have an issue more, where the other 3 party members aren't even IN combat, so when I do initialize, I have to click on each one and manually make them attack WHILE turn based attacking is going on with me out of the battle!

[Nauct]

You can do it, they just all have to be stealth and not seen

[Cur]

That's just how the 5e rules work unfortunately.

To set up an efficient ambush you will want to use "Elixir of Vigilance" for the +5 Initiative roll and immunity to being surprised.

Otherwise you can use one party member to initiate combat while the others hang back and hide. Once combat starts you can bring your other party members forward and avoid line of sight with enemies so they can also get an attack. But because of how 5e works you don't get a "free" action for ambushing. The action you use to ambush will be considered the first action of your first turn. So for example if you have a Barbarian that can attack multiple times per turn, you will only be able to use a single weapon attack before your initiative roll.

[xposethedarkside]

That can work, but you have to set it up by keeping your other party members out of sight, in stealth, unchained from the rest of your party and far enough away that they don't get drawn into the combat.

If you do it right, only the party member initiating the combat will be drawn into turn based mode.

From there, your other party members are still in stealth and in real time. Click on them one by one and stealth each one into position and take their shot. Each one will then be added to the initiative order.

Continue doing this until all your party members are in turn based combat.

Now the real combat begins.

[Curath]

Make sure to unlink your characters, so nobody follows the controlle character into combat. Sneak with everyone and place them in suitable positions out of line of sight. Attack with one character, and when turn-based combat starts, simply switch to another character who is still sneaking and out of combat to make a sneak attack.

This will, however, use up every character's action for the first combat turn. It's still very useful as you can attack with advantage (at least with ranged weapons/spells) and ensure everyone from your party acts first, possibliy eliminating or disabling some enemies.

Sometimes I won't bother, but before harder fights (especially if I was surprised by something unexpected and lost the combat) I'll make sure to start the fight on my terms.

Edit: it's still possible that the enemies move closer and spot some of your sneaking characters. Just try to position them far enough back or behind cover until you can initiate their first attack.

[Ranix]

why are all your dudes standing with the person initiating combat instread of hiding out of view

like, do you think this is how ambushes work IRL?

[CrashedHaven]

Originally posted by Ranix:

why are all your dudes standing with the person initiating combat instread of hiding out of view

like, do you think this is how ambushes work IRL?

thats what i do, i move everyone to their potion but as soon as one person attacks they're all seen, even when fully obscured and out of view