He had to have the element of surprise on his side.

The element of surprise would be with him if he moved quickly.

Either way, the element of surprise would win the day.

For now the element of surprise was on his side.

The element of surprise was the only thing they had going for them.

Still, he knew the element of surprise would not help him.

And after all these years one thing I actually had going for me was the element of surprise.

The element of surprise was her best and only hope.

The book says the element of surprise is the most important part.

With the surprise element gone, they've called off the attack.