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

[GMMichael]

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

"Let's say someone wanted to hide in combat?" Isn't it a little late once combat ensues?

Maybe a scene would help you/us decide, in addition to the rules involved.

 

[Li Shenron]

To be fair, not much is definite when it comes to stealth and hiding. I think some people would play that if you know where a creature is, then by definition it is not hidden from you. I think most people agree that being hidden and being unseen are two different things. The halfling ability lets you hide but it doesn't explicitly make you unseen, so this could be ruled differently at different tables.

I rather think that what is really not definite is "hidden".

It is NOT one of the listed conditions in PHB, Appendix A.

We can be pretty sure that being "hidden" is the result of a successful attempt at the "hide" action. And there are special abilities, feats etc. which explicitly refer to someone being "hidden", so it does have consequences.

There is one sentence in the PHB which seem to define "hidden" as "both unseen and unheard", and actually doesn't mention knowing where it is. It's also dangerous to consider this an ultimate definition, as there are other senses that are supposed to foil hiding, for example... what if you're hidden in a dark room and someone luckily guess your location at random and actually grabs you? According to this "definition" you're still unseen and unheard so he's grabbing you but still doesn't know where you are

For me the only sensible way to play, is to be open to specific situations being handled differently. Do not expect to rely on a one-size-fits-all rule.

 

[Fenris-77]

"Let's say someone wanted to hide in combat?" Isn't it a little late once combat ensues?

Maybe a scene would help you/us decide, in addition to the rules involved.

Those pesky halflings are always hiding behind bigger people in combat and popping out to stick a fork in you. It's a thing. Or those sneaky wood elves hiding in a puff of smoke or a gossamer bit of mist that you wouldn't think would conceal even a bad facial tattoo. Also a thing. I once saw a halfling hide behind a wood elf who was hiding behind a bansai tree. It's like a bloody clown car.

 

[SuperTD]

I think you may have forgotten that, by RaW, the DM determines when circumstances are appropriate for hiding. Hiding somewhere that an enemy knows where you are might not be considered appropriate.

Sure, I suppose that comes down to each individual GM. I think stealth and hiding in combat must be one of, if not the most debated rules sections because it is left very vague and what rules exist are scattered across three different sections of the book.

 

[Oofta]

Sure, I suppose that comes down to each individual GM. I think stealth and hiding in combat must be one of, if not the most debated rules sections because it is left very vague and what rules exist are scattered across three different sections of the book.

They're vague on purpose because you could never write concrete rules that satisfied everyone or every situation. That may not be your preference, but it was a conscious decision.

Like I said earlier, hiding is just an opposed check. Does someone know where you are? In the case of someone hiding behind a pillar I rule that you may be unseen and potentially unheard but that doesn't mean the NPC that saw you move behind the lone pillar in the room doesn't have a pretty good idea where you are. Being unheard and unseen doesn't cause short term memory loss.

But it's also not "clearly" seen, so there's wiggle room with that as well. In my game if I have an environment with plenty of things to hide behind a rogue may be able to switch position from one round to the next. But pop out from exactly the same position round after round? Doesn't really make much of a difference.

But that's just how I run it.

 

[Asisreo]

I have a love-hate relationship with how vague these rules are. On one hand, I enjoy being able to run a game without beimg "wrong" or more aptly, without unintentionally breaking a balance by design. I have more freedom over the rules than in most TTRPG's ime. On the other hand, I would like rules so I can keep things consistent. It also helps me plan a strategy. If someone's going to snitch on my location and I lose "hidden" immediately, why bother hiding in large groups? I'd be better off just attacking.

 

[GMMichael]

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

For reference. Italics added.

Those pesky halflings are always hiding behind bigger people in combat and popping out to stick a fork in you. It's a thing.

So, someone in a melee is considered a hiding spot? And you're implying that a halfling can get a sneak attack from such a hiding spot? Is this a D&D 5 thing, or just your table? I have to ask, because it sounds like a bad joke...but it also sounds like something WotCstaff would condone.

 

[jaelis]

Lightfoot halflings have the special ability

Naturally Stealthy

You can attempt to hide even when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you.

 

[Oofta]

For reference. Italics added.


So, someone in a melee is considered a hiding spot? And you're implying that a halfling can get a sneak attack from such a hiding spot? Is this a D&D 5 thing, or just your table? I have to ask, because it sounds like a bad joke...but it also sounds like something WotCstaff would condone.

Lightfoot halflings can hide behind another creature at least one size larger than they are. Whether they can "pop out" or fire through the other creature to get advantage is completely up to the DM.

I rule that it might work once. After that, the target (or anyone who observed it) is on the lookout for the attack. That, and there's generally nothing stopping the opponent from just moving around whoever the halfling is hiding behind.

 

[SuperTD]

They're vague on purpose because you could never write concrete rules that satisfied everyone or every situation. That may not be your preference, but it was a conscious decision.

Like I said earlier, hiding is just an opposed check. Does someone know where you are? In the case of someone hiding behind a pillar I rule that you may be unseen and potentially unheard but that doesn't mean the NPC that saw you move behind the lone pillar in the room doesn't have a pretty good idea where you are. Being unheard and unseen doesn't cause short term memory loss.

But it's also not "clearly" seen, so there's wiggle room with that as well. In my game if I have an environment with plenty of things to hide behind a rogue may be able to switch position from one round to the next. But pop out from exactly the same position round after round? Doesn't really make much of a difference.

But that's just how I run it.

I think we actually view in the same or similar ways. If someone in my game successfully hides they gain the benefits of being an unseen attacker, but if the enemy saw where they went before they hid then their obvious move is to reposition to a place where they can see the spot they know the enemy to be hiding. Alternatively, they can try and take a shot at disadvantage if they believe they know the square the hidden player is in and there's a clear line of effect.