D&D 5E Any further clarification to Hiding in Player's Handbook?

[MerricB]

G'day, all!

Is there any further clarification to the rules on Hiding in the Player's Handbook? The Basic rules basically only say "You can’t hide from a creature that can see you", and it seems from how a couple of special abilities interact you need Total Cover or to be Heavily Obscured to hide.

Cheers!

 

[Paraxis]

This is the section on hiding I think it is the same as in the Basic rules.

When you try to hide, make a Dexterity (Stealth) check. Until you are discovered or you stop hiding, that check’s total is contested by the Wisdom (Perception) check of any creature that actively searches for signs of your presence.

You can’t hide from a creature that can see you, and if you make noise (such as shouting a warning or knocking over a vase), you give away your position. An invisible creature can’t be seen, so it can always try to hide. Signs of its passage might still be noticed, however, and it still has to stay quiet.

In combat, most creatures stay alert for signs o f danger all around, so if you come out of hiding and approach a creature, it usually sees you. However, under certain circumstances, the Dungeon Master might allow you to stay hidden as you approach a creature that is distracted, allowing you to gain advantage on an attack before you are seen.

Passive Perception. When you hide, there’s a chance someone will notice you even if they aren't searching. To determine whether such a creature notices you, the DM compares your Dexterity (Stealth) check with that creature’s passive Wisdom (Perception) score, which equals 10 + the creature’s Wisdom modifier, as well as any other bonuses or penalties. If the creature has advantage, add 5. For disadvantage, subtract 5.

For example, if a 1st-level character (with a proficiency bonus o f +2) has a Wisdom of 15 (a +2 modifier) and proficiency in Perception, he or she has a passive Wisdom (Perception) of 14.

What Can You See? One of the main factors in determining whether you can find a hidden creature or object is how well you can see in an area, which might be lightly or heavily obscured.

 

[Manbearcat]

Seems like a corner case so I doubt you'll find any clarifying information within. However, in the spirit of "rulings not rules", I would recommend the following:

1) You must be Tiny, Tinier, Tiniest, or Tiniestest.

2) You must roll a Con save DC 10 at the end of your turn or take 5 suffocation damage.

 

[Starfox]

The passive perception rule seems really harsh, depending on how its read. As the stealther, you have to roll d20, but as an observer, you roll d20, but is guaranteed a minimum result of 10.

Or is the intent that you use either active or passive perception?

In many cases, using passive perception is better, since it has no bell curve making stealth more chancy against a passive foe.

Aw well, DnD has a tradition of very unclear stealth rules.

 

[Li Shenron]

[MENTION=3586]MerricB[/MENTION] I also have problems with interpreting hiding. People tend to say that it's very clear, so perhaps it's my English languages skills causing a barrier to me...

Every now and then, I just can't help myself having the most basic doubt: what the hell "hiding" means, really?

Even in 3e era I remember actually sending an email to Monte Cook to ask for help, because in my mind "hiding" was primarily an off-combat action, it was a complex and sometimes time-consuming task of finding a suitable location (e.g. behind some curtains, inside a bush, under a pile of snow, or even amongst a crowd) and "blend" with it, so that someone arriving later will not notice you're there, and won't be able to attack you or target you with a spell. Something had to at least partially block the view from you. A special "Hiding in plain sight" ability further meant to blend with the surroundings (like many animals do) so that you are effectively unnoticed without something blocking the view.

Instead, Monte Cook told me that in a RPG design, "hiding" usually refers to the action of moving out of sight, which is slightly different, and which is why the action is often described together with movement (e.g. see his 3e Shadowdancer's abilities).

It's still not clear to me in 5e... we get the perentorial "You can’t hide from a creature that can see you" AND we get the "Hide" action in combat. How the hell are you supposed to hide (as "moving into a hidden position") during the middle of combat, where (with no facing rules) everybody can see you, unless you were hidden prior to combat itself?

All this is further complicated in a sniping scenario, where someone starts successfully hidden, attacks thus "reveals his position" but the text doesn't clarify if revealing your position means you're still hidden or not.

 

[Psikerlord#]

I agree the hiding rules are pretty vague and hope the DMG underscores the "go with what works for your table" vibe.

 

[MerricB]

Or is the intent that you use either active or passive perception?

You always use passive perception, unless you spend an action to Search for a hidden character.

Cheers!

 

[MerricB]

At present, I'm feeling the rules work as follows:

* To hide, you need Total Cover or be Heavily Obscured (including being Invisible). Certain abilities allow easier hiding.
* If you move at a slow pace (2/3 speed) you can stay hidden as long as you have cover or concealment from the foe. (Basic Rules chapter 8: Activities while Travelling)
* If you attack, you lose your hidden state after the attack.

Cheers!

 

[Scorpio616]

At present, I'm feeling the rules work as follows:

* If you attack, you lose your hidden state after the attack.

Cheers!

Sounded much more like you are no longer hidden when you emerge for an attack unless the DM rules otherwise.

 

[Juriel]

Sounded much more like you are no longer hidden when you emerge for an attack unless the DM rules otherwise.

Rules say 'whether the attack hits or misses, you are no longer hidden AFTER the attack'.