Personal Combat - Surprise

[Mickazoid]

Hi folks! A question - I'm reading the personal combat section of the BBB and it mentions surprise as part of the initiative section but doesn't specify how to assess whether a target is surprised.

If the target is surprised, he likely has lost the initiative, but if the target is highly perceptive, etc., he should have a greater chance at seizing the initiative, irrespective of tactics skill.

Anyone have any pointers or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Mickazoid]

A followup - if the target has a status of 'stealthy' or 'evasive' s/he applies a -2 or -1 mod to the fighting task, but without initiative he likely won't get that chance until the first turn by the attacker has already taken place. If one is surprised, one doesn't have the chance to be 'evasive' or 'stealthy,' but there should probably be a difference between a target who has lost the initiative and one who is truly surprised.

Anyone with any rule clarifications or homegrown recommendations?