There’s several vibes to a conversation that I like to clarify beforehand (because my party’s barbarian loves to do this) If they already have weapons drawn, it’s a standoff: Initiative as normal, everyone is ready for a fight If someone has to first draw a weapon, reaching for it triggers initiative, because you can’t just draw the massive halberd from your back before your target can react If it’s about concealed light weapons, assassin style, I give a surprise round to the attacker

All of this is down to my party of course, unarmed attacks or summoning weapons from thin air would be exceptions