Hide and Sneak Attack in plain sight?

[Xakk]

I was wondering what the check would be to 'look inconspicuous' or 'blend into a crowd' for a PC attempting to trail or close in on another person. Is it a hide check, bluff, disguise, or perhaps Perform?

Say for instance, a rogue is about to attempt to hit a target with an Injury poison, in the middle of a busy thoroughfare, then slip away in the confusion. If the target glanced towards the rogue, whom we'll assume is not dressed like such or can be seen to brandish the weapon, what would the skill check be for the rogue to look as if he were just about his business like those around him?

It immediately strikes me as a Hide check, but the person being specifically hidden from is staring right at the person attempting to do so, perfectly aware of their location and appearance.

It could also easily be a Bluff check but the character is specifically trying not to address the target in the ways that make a typical Bluff work, such as by misleading words or gestures.

Additionally, to use the model above, if the rogue managed to get into melee range, would his intended attack catch the opponent flat-footed if they spotted him previously, and knew of his presence, but 'dismissed' him?

 

[shadyizok]

Creating a Diversion to Hide
You can use Bluff to help you hide. A successful Bluff check can give you the momentary diversion you need to attempt a Hide check while people are aware of you.

You could go with this. I also remember that hiding in a crowd whas specifically adressed somewhere. I thought it was in cityscape but all i could find was the hidden stalker ACF. Maybe I got confused or maybe someone else can jog my memory.

 

[Jimlock]

Rules Compendium p92 (and Complete Adventurer page 101)

Hide (Dex; Armor Check Penalty)
You need cover or concealment to attempt a Hide check. Total cover or total concealment usually obviates the need for a Hide check, since nobody can see you anyway. Your Hide check is opposed by the Spot check of anyone who might see you.
You can move up to half your normal speed and hide at no penalty. When moving at a speed greater than half but less than your normal speed, you take a –5 penalty. You can take a –20 penalty on your Hide check to hide while attacking, running, or charging.
If someone is observing you, even casually, you can’t hide. You can run around a corner or behind cover so that you’re out of sight and then hide, but the others then know at least where you went.
If your observers are momentarily distracted, you can attempt to hide. While the others turn their attention from you, you can attempt a Hide check if you can get to a hiding place of some kind. The hiding place has to be within 1 foot per rank you have in Hide. This check, however, is made at a –10 penalty because you have to move fast.
If you’re successfully hidden with respect to another creature, that creature is flat-footed with respect to you. That creature treats you as if you were invisible (see page 76).

Blend into a Crowd: You can use the Hide skill to blend into a crowd, but doing so conceals you only from someone scanning the area to find you. You remain visible to everyone around you, and if they happen to be hostile, they’re likely to point you out.

Move between Cover: If you’re already hiding thanks to cover or concealment, and you have at least 5 ranks in Hide, you can make a Hide check (with a penalty) to try to move across an area that doesn’t offer cover or concealment without revealing yourself. For every 5 ranks in Hide you possess, you can move up to 5 feet between one hiding place and another. For every 5 feet of open space you must cross between hiding places, you take a –5 penalty on your Hide check. Movement speed penalizes the check as normal.

Sneak up from Hiding: You can sneak up on someone after emerging from a hiding place. For every 5 feet of open space between you and the target, you take a –5 penalty on your Hide check. If your Hide check succeeds, your target doesn’t notice you until you attack or perform some other attention-grabbing action. Such a target is treated as being flat-footed with respect to you.

Sniping: If you’ve already successfully hidden at least 10 feet from your target, you can make one ranged attack, then take a move action to hide again. You take a –20 penalty on your Hide check to conceal yourself after the shot.

 

[Jimlock]

Complete Adventurer, on page 102 (under Hide) has additional info on how to tail someone.

Couldn't copy paste it cause my CoAdv is an image pdf

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Complete Scoundrel p.87 has the skill trick (so, not a feat, just investment of 2 skillpoints):
Mosquito Bite. Requires Slight of Hand 12 ranks.
Use a light weapon to attack a Flat Footed opponent, and the opponent doesn't know you hit him until start of his next turn, instead assumes you hit him and missed.
Complete Scoundrel p.89 has the skill trick:
Shrouded Dance. Requires Hide 8 ranks, Perform (dance) 5 ranks.
as a move action, do a DC 20 Hide check. success means you have concealment until next turn.

I'd imagine these skill tricks, plus the hide skill in general, would help accomplish what you're trying to do.

 

[Dandu]

It's a pity katanas aren't light, because then you could totally rush at your opponent, draw your katana, strike them, and have them slowly slide apart in the background after assuming that you missed.

That being said, I believe Dervishes get to treat their scimitars as light weapons, so...

 

[Greenfield]

As the note: Even if the target is aware of you, they're still flat footed for your first strike, if you're the one initiating combat. You can't move in and strike on that surprise action, at least you can't in a crowd since you don't have a straight, unobstructed path for a charge.

 

[Dandu]

You can't move in and strike on that surprise action, at least you can't in a crowd since you don't have a straight, unobstructed path for a charge.

Would a jump check help?

 

[Greenfield]

Leaping charge? I'm not sure if that can be done on a partial action. I'm also not sure if that's a feat, skill trick, or class feature.

And do you know what the Jump check numbers are to jump over people? Surprisingly high.

 

[kitcik]

And do you know what the Jump check numbers are to jump over people? Surprisingly high.

It's possible in real life though.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMrPjl-927Q"]‪Vince Carter Dunk over Weis (best copy)‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]