D&D 5E Halfling Rogue Actions During a Turn - Hiding, Advantage, and Sneak Attacks

Melkor

Explorer

• Jul 19, 2014

• #1

Hi all,

So in a situation where a Lightfoot Halfling was next to one of his own medium-sized party members in a room, using a Shortbow, and fighting an enemy, would the following situation be possible:

Cunning Action: Using his Cunning Action to Hide behind his own medium sized party members (in conjunction with Naturally Stealthy which allows you to hide when obscured by a creature that is at least one size larger than you), and assuming he succeeds at a Stealth Check, then:

Normal Action: Pop out from behind your friendly party member to shoot the Shortbow at the enemy with Advantage from hiding (which would reveal him), and, assuming he hits the enemy, get sneak attack damage because the Shorbow attack had Advantage?

Then move up to 25' with his movement to anywhere else he wanted.

Would this be possible in one 6 second turn for the Lightfoot Halfling Rogue? What would keep this halfling rogue from pretty much trying to hide every turn behind an object or creature one size bigger than him as a Cunning Action in order to get Advantage and Sneak Attack on an enemy (in the rules 'as written')?

Thanks!

 

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DEFCON 1

Legend

Supporter

• Jul 19, 2014

• #2

I think this is exactly as how they intended for it to go.

 

sidonunspa

First Post

• Jul 19, 2014

• #3

Melkor said:

Would this be possible in one 6 second turn for the Lightfoot Halfling Rogue? What would keep this halfling rogue from pretty much trying to hide every turn behind an object or creature one size bigger than him as a Cunning Action in order to get Advantage and Sneak Attack on an enemy (in the rules 'as written')?

Click to expand...

that's the idea!

the little guy is getting lost in the combat and using it to his advantage, all those big'ens swinging their swords and shields, its easy to get "lost" in all that, just long enough to stab someone in the gut or lose an arrow from an unexpected direction

 

the Jester

Legend

• Jul 19, 2014

• #4

Yes, he can do that. There's nothing to prevent it. That's how the rogue keeps up with the fighters.

 

G

gyor

Legend

• Jul 19, 2014

• #5

Yeah its one of the reasons Lightfoot Halflings makes one of the best rogues.

It goes like this

Best Wild Elves (35 movement, Keen Senses, Longbow prof, being able to hide when lightly obscured by enviromental conditions, Darkvision).

Lightfoot Halflings second best (Lucky, Naturally Stealthy, halfling nimbleness). Still its close.

Next Tieflings, Thaumaturgy is useful out of combat for a Rogue who can have expertise in bluff. And darkvision.
But the Tiefling Rogue really reaches his potential when he or she has darkness spell and blindsight.

Next Eldarin, er High Elves. Pick Minor Illusion as your cantrip. Plus you have darkvision and a longbow prof.

The rest are about equal, each with its advantages, but that's my perpective.

 

GX.Sigma

Adventurer

• Jul 19, 2014

• #6

the Jester said:

Yes, he can do that. There's nothing to prevent it. That's how the rogue keeps up with the fighters.

Click to expand...

FWIW, I did a lot of playtest encounters, and the Rogue did more damage than the FIghter every single round. They were at level 3: the Fighter deals 2d6+Str in melee, and the Rogue deals 1d6+2d6 +Dex from range (with a better chance to hit and almost the same chance to crit).

The Rogue is definitely a "striker" in 5e.

 

Melkor

Explorer

• Jul 19, 2014

• #7

Thanks for the replies folks.

That is exactly why I was asking. We are just over 25 hours of gaming with the Starter Set, and so far, the Halfling Rogue has really out-shined both of the Human Fighters in damage output. With Advantage, he has getting a lot of natural 20 roles, and with 3D6 Sneak Attack and a Shortbow, those Critical Hits are quite nasty.

 

Mouseferatu

Hero

• Jul 19, 2014

• #8

Is the halfling succeeding on his Stealth every time? Even with a good modifier, I'd think there would be rounds where the enemy spots him.

Are the fighters using their action surges and extra attacks?

 

Mort

Legend

Supporter

• Jul 20, 2014

• #9

Mouseferatu said:

Is the halfling succeeding on his Stealth every time? Even with a good modifier, I'd think there would be rounds where the enemy spots him.

Are the fighters using their action surges and extra attacks?

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The rogue doesn't usually have to hide to get sneak dice, just pick targets next to allies.

We played yesterday and the rogue added sneak dice in the great majority of rounds.

The fighter definitely used action surge, but that's a once per combat (at best thing). That said the fighter waded into combat did a lot of damage and took the brunt of the attacks. The rogue and the fighter complimented each other really well (which was great because the players are a married couple playing an old dwarfish married couple.)

 

Samurai

Adventurer

• Jul 20, 2014

• #10

Mouseferatu said:

Is the halfling succeeding on his Stealth every time? Even with a good modifier, I'd think there would be rounds where the enemy spots him.

Are the fighters using their action surges and extra attacks?

Click to expand...

Yep, hew needs to succeed at a Stealth roll every round or else he's no longer hidden. The other major thing to watch out for is the person the Halfling is hiding behind can't move. If they move on their round, then the Halfling is left standing there without any cover and is thus obviously no longer hidden.