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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Li Shenron" data-source="post: 8494282" data-attributes="member: 1465">I think that the RAI of HiPS is pretty much to be usable only once per encounter, when you can prepare and know the location i.e. to ambush. It might be possible to use it for non-combat purposes such as eavesdropping, but that is likely to be a much rarer occurrence. The +10 bonus is huge and stacks with others, so it makes sense that you can use it only once per battle, and only when you know the battle is coming. If I understand your tweak, you still use it only once per battle, but you can also use it when not ambushing, so potentially in all encounters. I do not consider the terrain type limitation particularly useful, as in most cases the characters won't experience more than one environment change on a given day.The HiPS must be one of the worst example on how the RAW can ruin the RAI. Even the name of the feature in plain sight reveals that this is already meant to work when you don't have cover or concealment, in fact it says you only need to press yourself against e.g. a tree or a wall. The narrative of HiPS is that of a Ranger with the ability to make herself look nearly indistinguishable from the surface she's leaning on, and doing so with only 1 minute of preparation is impressive. That's why it also says you lose it as you move (or act), because the camouflage is specific for that spot. Your version of HiPS sounds more like you have in mind a more generic aid like stuffing of leaves and branches around you to blend with the terrain. That's ok, but much less fantastic than a Ranger who could try to appear part of a door, statue or even the king's throne (none of which are "terrain").But as I said, the feature's RAW is pretty bad. Despite the explicit narrative, it fails to mention you don't need to be obscured, and even then "once you move or act" can be interpreted as losing the bonus before you attack a target. And once the RAW is set, you can pretty much count the Sage Advice to defend the RAW at the expense of the RAI.</blockquote>

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