It seems that if you attack neutral NPCs (most of them anyway) from outside of the combat state, they go into recovery time when the combat state begins.

This does not happen for the House Harond Guard on the bridge in the Dyrford, but everyone else in the Dyrford that I've tested it on has this issue so far.

 

Seems like it could be an AI glitch or something, like double switching weapon sets behind the scenes or something.

Edited March 5, 201510 yr by Sensuki

My bet is it's POE's version of the surprise round / flat-footedness.

Why? It doesn't happen to the House Harond Guard and it's not a documented rule. I assume it's just a "change to best weapon" AI thing or something.

Why? It doesn't happen to the House Harond Guard and it's not a documented rule. I assume it's just a "change to best weapon" AI thing or something.

 

While I think that it's pretty reasonable to have such a rule, I agree with you in thinking it's not intended.

 

There could still be a difference between being prepared or not. Combat-ready neutral NPC:s could not be affected, whilst those that are taken by surprise would be. Or something.

It's not a turn-based game, FFS.