How exactly does the combat work?

[oxidize]

When I want to attack someone, what exactly happens? I mean the player shouldn't be able to always attack first, right? Like I'm just gonna take my gun out and shoot someone, so I'm always first. Is that possible?

Lets look at this pic:


If I decide to attack one of those two guards now, what happens? Can I just take out my gun and shoot the guy? OR is there some kind of initiative check to determine who goes first?

I played the game before but I just can't remembered how it worked.
How is this system different from, for example, D&D combat pen&paper?

 

[sigma1932]

There's a "sequence" statistic that functions similarly to initiative from D&D.

Long story short, in Fallout, whoever initiates combat goes first during the first round, then everyone else goes in succession according to their sequence stats. On subsequent rounds, everyone's sequence stats determine order.

Info taken from here:
http://fallout.gamepedia.com/Fallout_combat#Sequence_and_actions

As far as similarities to D&D go, combat in Fallout is mostly the same general concepts, but with different formulas used for calculations.

 

[Gizmojunk]

In some circumstances, Fallout allows that if the PC kills the opponent in during their turn [and ends combat], none of the target's faction get's notified; stealth kill.

The PC can always attack without warning, but they can also be attacked without warning; and may be attacked first.

 

[oxidize]

Do the combatants have to roll for initiative every round, like in AD&D 2nd? Or, just once on the beginning of first round like 3.5 D&D?

 

[Brunzer]

Do the combatants have to roll for initiative every round, like in AD&D 2nd? Or, just once on the beginning of first round like 3.5 D&D?

Just once at the start of the battle. Allthough it's not a roll, just a static number where higher is better. This can lead to a situation where a character can get two rounds in succession.

If for example your character has 14 sequence and your enemy with sequence 12 initiates combat it would play out as follows:

Round 1:
Enemy
You

Round 2
You
Enemy

Afterwards the sequence from round 2 repeats until combat is concluded.

Now, if combat is initiated by your enemy, your character will always be the first one to act, regardless of the sequence of other participants. Conversely, if you initiate combat, your enemy will always be the first to act. For this example your character still has 14 sequence and the enemy has 16, in addition you also have Sulik on your team with 18 sequence.

Round 1:
You
Enemy
Sulik

Round 2:
Sulik
Enemy
You

The sequence of round 2 is repeated until combat is concluded.

 

[oxidize]

So in Fallout, you always have the "surpise turn" unlike in tabletop RPGs where usually there's awerness check for your oponnent and if he fails to pass it then you have surprise turn.

 

[alec]

Yes, if you initiate combat, you get a 'surprise turn'.

 

[valcik]

Indeed. I still do remember my first meeting with deathclaw in F1. The monster has initiated combat, approached my level 5 Vault Dweller armed with hunting rifle and ripped his head off. Nasty 'surprise turn'!