Editing Ogre:CharacterCodex:Combat:Sequence (section)

===Starting Combat===
When a combat start everybody have a flat-footed status meaning they are not yet ready for combat. 

'''Determining starting distance and surprise''' 

If the opponents are not already aware of each other, roll spot checks to see at which distance an opponents group see the other one. The distance between opponents group is the maximum distance you can see with your Spot check. If a group see the other group before the other one and they have range attack, the group not aware of the attack is surprised. If they need to get in melee to attack, no group is surprise since both group will eventually see each other.

You can also use Stalk checks to approach enemies. If the enemies do not beat your Stalk check with it's spot check, the group is surprise even if you attack in melee.

Example : The best Spot check in the characters party is 15 and in the enemy party is 12. Both are in gentle hill meaning that for each 3 ranks of success, you see at a 10 feet distance. The character party see the enemy at 50 feet distance while the enemy sees the character party at a 40 feet distance. 

If the character party have range weapon, they can attack the Orc that will be surprised, resulting in a surprised reaction time for the Orcs.

If the party have only melee weapon, it charge the Orc that will notice them at 40 feet. The combat will then start at 40 feet.

Since the party have seen the Orc before them, they do not need to engage combat immediately. Party members might flee to avoid combat, prepare themselves for the fight by drawing their weapon or try to sneak on the orcs by hiding in the hills to surprise the Orcs in a melee combat.