Set-up

The last step before starting the fight is setting up the battlefield and the location of the combatants. The DM should first arrange the battlefield; if the fight is taking place in a room inside a dungeon, the DM notes the room’s size, shape, and interesting contents before placing any creatures in it. Chapter Three describes battlefields of all kinds in great detail.

If one side has spotted the other without being seen, or has surprised the other group, they can make their opponents set up first and then place their own combatants to take advantage of the situation. (They still have to observe the encounter distance dictated by the DM, though.)

If neither side is surprised, or if other special circumstances exist, the DM can dictate the positions of all characters and monsters at the beginning of the battle. The PCs should be set up in their normal marching order, with any adjustments the DM deems appropriate. Someone had to open the door to the guardroom, after all. The monsters are placed by the DM as she sees fit.

If the DM knows something the players don’t, there’s no reason she can’t keep some figures off the map until the players have reason to spot them. If there’s a giant spider on the ceiling and no one looks up, the DM should feel free to spring a fiendish surprise when a character walks under it.

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