In the book, it says to call for a steel test when someone is ambushed and take the actions they hesitate off the beginning of the fight. Should the assailant get a free surprise attack before the steel is ever even rolled?
No. Nailing someone while they’re hesitating should be enough of an advantage.
That’s how I’ve played it so far. I figured giving a free attack is just cruel to the victim of the ambush.
How are you running you ambushes?
I’ve been having the enemies role stealth or tactics to set up for an ambush. Then whenever they get the jump on the players the players test steel and take the hesitation actions off at the beginning of combat.
The ambushed are getting an Observation test out of it, right?
Yep.
Sounds good to me!