Cover/Concealment Questions

[Negflar2099]

As you might have guessed from my subject title I have a few questions about cover and concealment. I couldn't find these answers in the PHB. Sorry.

1) Do they stack? if a kobold is behind a low wall and in fog do the PC's take a -4 to hit him or only a -2? What if it's two different kinds of concealment? Two different kinds of cover?

2) How does stealth interact with cover and concealment? If I wanted to make a stealth check I know I need cover and concealment but how does that work? Say I duck behind a tree which provides concealment does that let me then make a stealth check? If I'm successful am I then treated as if I'm invisible?

3) The gnome can make a stealth check in place of a initiative check as long as they have cover and concealment. What does that mean? Can't everybody make a stealth check if they have cover and concealment? Does that stealth check replace their initiative check?

I know that last one is only tangently related to cover and concealment but I've been curious about it.

Thanks.

 

[MarkB]

3) The gnome can make a stealth check in place of a initiative check as long as they have cover and concealment. What does that mean? Can't everybody make a stealth check if they have cover and concealment? Does that stealth check replace their initiative check?

Reactive Stealth says nothing about the Stealth check replacing your Initiative check. Instead, when you roll initiative, you can make a Stealth check at the same time to escape notice.

It's basically a case of "Hey, I see someone there - no wait, it was just a trick of the light", as the gnome (if his check beats the opposition's Perception) slips deeper into the shadows, hiding himself essentially as a reflex action.

If the gnome is solo, that might let him slip away from a dangerous situation. If he's with allies, the opposition will disregard him and concentrate their attentions upon his fellows.