Ambush (Skill)

This skill is both that of spotting an ambush and that of carrying out an ambush attack from a hidden position.

The character making the ambush rolls against the opposing target's Ambush Skill plus their Fitness ranks totaled and multiplied by 5. If the target does not have the Ambush Skill then all they get is their Fitness Ranks * 5.

A successful ambush means the target is caught by Surprise, and the attack that follows is defended against by the target on the first column of the Action Table (getting neither skills nor attributes applied to their defense). Presuming the attacker makes their combat skill roll (whichever weapon they are using) they WILL hit the target, it's the severity that becomes important.

No other character besides the attacker can act before a successful ambush is completed.

A failed ambush becomes a normal attack and places all involved into normal combat time, with their normal initiatives in play. This means a slow character that attacks an ambush may actually be struck by their target or another character that has a weapon ready before they get a chance to try to hit the target they were ambushing.