Three allies and I are in a room and an enemy just went underground. Can I ready my action with my bow saying: "When he pops out from underground I attack"?
What happens if he pops up behind me? Do I still get the attack?
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1\$\begingroup\$ Not really fitting in my answer, just be aware, that you don't have to be that oddly specific with your triggers. Instead of specifically waiting for him to "pop out", you simply can wait for him to be in sight. \$\endgroup\$– ThyzerCommented Apr 22, 2017 at 15:16
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1 Answer
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The trigger of a readied action must be a perceivable circumstance
If your trigger is "the enemy pops out from underground" and your character can perceive it, the trigger occurs and you can take your readied action.
Facing is an optional rule in the DMG and as long as your table does not use it, there is no "behind you".
Seeing someone pop out from underground is not the only way to perceive it, as long as he isn't mechanically hidden and your character isn't mechanically deaf, you can also hear it. Additionally even if he is hidden, as soon as he comes into plain sight (neither heavily nor lightly obscured) he instantaneously gives away his position and is no longer hidden.
Yes, you can cover a whole room with your trigger, as long as it's perceivable, but keep in mind that moving is not part of a readied Attack and you have to make sure the requirements of your Action are also fulfilled. If they are not, the action is wasted.
That means for your attack he has to be in range and not behind full cover.
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2\$\begingroup\$ Might be worth noting in the answer that the ready might still be useless if the trigger happens when the enemy is out of range to make the attack. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 22, 2017 at 15:17