Vonklaude, your analysis is thorough and well-written. However, I would suggest that the fluff is not entirely irrelevant.
You correctly point out that in this case, the DM must make the decision about whether to grant a skill check, but the fluff - or rather, the explanation for how Shadow Walk works - is an important part of that decision.
How can the DM know whether a player should, or should not, be able to make a stealth skill following a use of Shadow Walk, without taking into account exactly what happens when that power is used? Does the player blend into her surroundings? Does a large area of shadow spill out around her, making it difficult to know exactly where she is?
This is what I'd like to know; what does Shadow Walk look like? What visual effect accompanies use of the power? Because knowing that, it would be much easier to determine whether a stealth check should follow.
For the most part I agree with you, but I would not be too quick to discount the value of that fluff text for helping to make a rational and fair decision.
Just as a reminder, that stealth check is going to be at a -5 because the warlock is moving to get shadow walk, and moving more than 2 squares produces the -5.
Concealment (–2 Penalty to Attack Rolls): The
target is in a lightly obscured square or in a heavily
obscured square but adjacent to you.
Total Concealment (–5 Penalty to Attack Rolls):
You can’t see the target. The target is invisible, in
a totally obscured square, or in a heavily obscured
square and not adjacent to you.
INVISIBLE
✦ You can’t be seen by normal forms of vision.
✦ You have combat advantage against any enemy that
can’t see you.
✦ You don’t provoke opportunity attacks from enemies
that can’t see you.
Yes, as I understand the rules you have it right. Shadow Walk provides opponents with a -2 penalty to hit you because you have concealment, but simply shadow walking does not grant you CA.
You would need to use the Stealth skill to attempt to get CA.
'Over here' you're going to quickly get warned by a mod for this kind of language and tone. I'd advise you to keep it respectful.Anyway, good luck helping people learn to read!
Thanks. Could I hide in the infinite oregano to gain total concealment and thus CA 8) ?
As I read the rules, I don't agree with this, if the warlock is in combat. If, for his first action, he moves at least 3 squares, he Shadow Walks and is concealed.
Then, for his standard action, he rolls Stealth. That way he doesn't have the -5 penalty.
That's how I interpret the rules anyhow. If that interpretation is just flat out wrong, please let me know.