Eh, I stick to "video game rules" for the most part in my campaigns. This lets the party focus on the more game-y aspects of DnD instead of the simulation-like elements. Otherwise, it devolves into a game of "simon says".
You didn't mention anything about putting your armor back on before breakfast. You've been ambushed, you're in your pajamas, and you're not getting to those eggs before they get cold. Roll initiative.
This. Role-playing shouldn't include the boring necessary activities unless they're no longer boring.
If I wanted to run an ambush like that I'd have the players roll a generous save DC to see if they put their armor on already. Basically a DC 5, just to make it possible and maybe catch one party member for laughs. But not enough to be a serious barrier.
Exactly. I was asked by my players at campaign start what the rules were for food, encumbrance, etc. I basically said that as long as nothing was going on that was out of whack with reality, we're not bothering with any of that. The only exception would be to avoid being game-breaking. Like traversing a desert on foot, I'd shift gears to track food and water. Or if they find a dragon's treasure horde, we're absolutely tracking encumbrance.
Eh, fighters are capable of dropping 6d12+96 damage at level 10. Assuming a 60 percent hit rate they're dropping an average of 90 damage, and a max of 168. They aren't underpowered, they're just forced into GWM/Sharpshooter and they don't get magical defenses without help. Which are big mechanical problems but not really power issues.
Iam right back from a larp. But players from a mercenaries company wearing full plates are looking for squire officially so people can discover that playstyle without buying a full plate armour. Unofficially, because with help, they can put their armour in less than 5 minutes instead of 30. So having squires would mean they can remove their armour without needing a lot of time to put it back
Which is technically the whole point of an ambush.
However, for the players it means that when not expecting a combat, (tavern, camp) they don't have to carry 15kg of metal, without blocking the other players every time someone needs armoured fighters
Not a problem. You wake up having recovered barely any HP, are still exhausted from the day before and now you're in an ambush! Hope the armor is worth it!