D&D 5E Can someone hide from multiple enemies?

[Asisreo]

So, let's say someone wanted to hide in combat. Enemy A can see the PC but enemy B cannot. Is it possible for the PC to be hidden from enemy B but not from enemy A?

And let's say both A & B can't see the PC but the PC only passed Enemy B's passive Perception. How would that situation work? According to the PHB, you can communicate so the enemy would probably do that but it's only on their turn or maybe the enemy doesn't think to communicate

 

[commandercrud]

Yes of course that's possible.

Enemy B: Where are they?
Enemy A: Right there.
Enemy B: Ok, thanks. Attacks you.

 

[SuperTD]

Yes of course that's possible.

Enemy B: Where are they?
Enemy A: Right there.
Enemy B: Ok, thanks. Attacks you.

To be clear though, an Enemy A just pointing at where someone else is hiding doesn't mean they are no longer hidden to Enemy B. Enemy B would either need to move to a position where they have an unobstructed view of the hidden target or succeed on a perception check as an action against the hide DC set. Otherwise they are attacking at disadvantage, assuming they pick the right square.

 

[R_J_K75]

I'd say yes but depending on surprise and who has the higher initiative, who goes in what order its certainly possible for Enemy A to point out the hidden character to Enemy B before the hidden person can act. Further stealth vs. perception checks might be required. Depending on where a person is trying to hide I seem to recall that once a creature is engaged in combat its pretty difficult to hide again, though common sense should prevail and all depends on who acts when.

 

[darjr]

Yes, they can be hidden to one and not the other, is a reasonable answer in my opinion.

However, I think WotC has answered this question and if the enemies are allies then no, they are not hidden from any of them.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Yes, they can be hidden to one and not the other, is a reasonable answer in my opinion.

However, I think WotC has answered this question and if the enemies are allies then no, they are not hidden from any of them.

There's nothing in the Sage Advice Compendium to that effect.

https://media.wizards.com/2020/dnd/downloads/SA-Compendium.pdf

I do remember a possibly non-Sage Advice comment from WotC, which I thought was from Jeremy Crawford, but it appeared to indicate that you could be hidden from one creature and not another, which would make sense. Obviously a creature can point out where you are - but that doesn't mean another creature, with a different vantage point/sightlines can necessarily spot you (we've all experienced this IRL, I'd suggest, where someone tries to point something out and is like "It's right there!" and you're like "Uhhhh I don't see it...".

 

[noko]

I would agree that the PC may be hidden from A and seen by B and that pointing to the player might not inform A of the PC exact location but I would say that A is looking in the right direction to spot the PC now if any movement is made unless the PC is obstructed from view by a solid barrier.

 

[jaelis]

I play that even if you point out a hidden creature, your allies still have to make their check to actually spot it. You can use your action to help and grant them advantage if you want. If you do I let that apply to their passive perception as a +5 bonus.

 

[Oofta]

Shifty the rogue can be hidden from A but not B, but since A can tell B where Shifty is, many times B just needs to move a little bit to see Shifty.

Hidden isn't a condition - it's an opposed check made when the DM rules that it's possible to be hidden.

 

[Jester David]

This is a common sense/ logic ruling.
The question is really, if one creature knows the space an enemy occupies, does every allied creature?

If you allow your PCs to tell other PCs the exact square of an enemy between turns then it only seems fair enemies can do the same. If you only allow players to talk on their turn and share the result of their Perception checks at that time, it makes sense that monsters are equally restricted.

Assuming they have a shared language and are intelligent enough to coordinate or use tactics.