As a new DM, these kinds of videos are so helpful, and your illustrations, slides, and clear explanations are wonderful. Thanks for the diligence and work you put into these! And congrats on your new book!

Im trying to implement this rule: At the start of the session, we roll initiative and note down their roll. If there's a combat incoming, I secretly roll the initiative of the monsters while "just testing my dice". With this rule, "roll initiative" doesn't break the flow and if there's a surprise, they wouldn't know it is coming. At the end of the combat, we will roll the initiative again.

Edit: I implemented this rule because i tried surprising them once and what RAW suggests broke the flow.  However, since implementing this rule, I have not surprised them... YET!

11:55 I would personally rule it like the arrowslit principal, where you can shoot past your allies no problem if they are right next to you, but not when they are right next to the enemy.

This is by far the most useful and succinct video on stealth in 5e

Hey algorithm, promote this stuff.

That was incredibly insightful, turns out I've been doing Surprise Rounds from 4e the entire time, it just felt more intuitive.

I think they should have just made Surprised a Condition with their current system.  It would be a nice and short info block, stored with other effects that could potentially happen to a creature.

Surprised should also skip your interaction with the round, not just your own turn.  Can be really annoying for the Assassin who can't Assassinate a Guard, because of a poor Initiative roll, despite the Guard becoming Surprised.

The same could be said for Bleeding (Sword of Wounding) and Ignited (Magmim*) effects.

Drenched (water), Doused (oil), and Dazed (can't concentrate) would've been nice inclusions as well.

The surprise is less about not being able to act because you are shocked, but is meant to be for attacking enemies who are not aware that there is going to be combat.
So if an enemy is hunting a dwarf while the rogue is stealthed, the enemy would not be surprised by the rogue because they are ready for combat

Yet another epic level Esper encounter! We were blessed again.
Great presentation! The visuals you created really help with the delivery. As always and as it has been for many years, you put out the greatest d&d content on youtube. The most knowledgeable, experienced and of highest quality in all aspects.
Great point about surprise attacks and initiative.

ALGORITHM LETS GOOOOO

This is a very clear, concise, and yet in-depth look at a set of topics that intersect in a complicated way. Thanks Esper!

high ground makes some of these a lot more fun

I like the branching into new video types.

Thanks for adding different scenarios and making it very visual.
Kudos!

Great work Sir esper! Thank you!!

This is exactly what I want to see! Please do more like this. Surprise round rules, condition drools.

It was really nice to finally be able to put a face to the voice!   Stealth is difficult to understand and every DM I play with does it differently.

Dig your new vids, Esper!

I really like that optional rule about Hiding.

I think surprise rounds are helpful, but I also find joy and suspense in players and at the table when I tell my players out of the blue to roll initiative and spring the attacks from others, then go into the next rounds.

Honestly, it's whatever works and feels good for your table though. Good video.