D&D (2024) Creating good stealth rules for 2024 5e

[Charlaquin]

Sure, and in my house-rules fo 2014 I grant advantage on Stealth if you are only trying to be unseen or unheard and not both, such as in this case (due to the darkness you are unseen automatically). It is pretty rare for ceatures to fail that, but it can happen.

However, this leads to other issues. Does Hide assume you aren't moving? What about while you are trying to move while Hidden or whatever?

If you’re asking me, I still don’t think we need a Hide action.

 

[ezo]

Could just make it a contested check. Or make it vs passive stealth.

I thought 2024 didn't have "contested checks" anymore? I am not saying you can't, just wondering if that is a thing anymore?

And passive stealth is better IMO. Of course, I mean passive as in "routine", not as in "not trying"... which is a whole other can of worms!

 

[Sorinth]

Could just make it a contested check. Or make it vs passive stealth.

Do you also have to roll a check every time a character goes up or down stairs because there's the possibility of tripping? Or do you just say it's too unlikely to bother with a check.

 

[Charlaquin]

I thought 2024 didn't have "contested checks" anymore? I am not saying you can't, just wondering if that is a thing anymore?

I’m not 100% sure, but I think you’re correct.

And passive stealth is better IMO. Of course, I mean passive as in "routine", not as in "not trying"... which is a whole other can of worms!

Yeah, I agree!

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I still think the action should only be required if you try to move from cover to cover or to set an ambush.

 

[ezo]

I still think the action should only be required if you try to move from cover to cover or to set an ambush.

Agree.

But what about if you are stationary and a guard moves past your position on patrol?

 

[jasper]

..The DC = 15 or the creature's passive perception score, whichever is higher....
Change higher to lower.

 

[Stormonu]

Sure, and in my house-rules fo 2014 I grant advantage on Stealth if you are only trying to be unseen or unheard and not both, such as in this case (due to the darkness you are unseen automatically). It is pretty rare for ceatures to fail that, but it can happen.

However, this leads to other issues. Does Hide assume you aren't moving? What about while you are trying to move while Hidden or whatever?

Stealth combines the old Thief abilities Hide in Shadows and Move Silently, so you don't have to make separate rolls. Though, it should be noted in 1E/2E that using Hide in Shadows required you to be still. That got dropped in 3E when those abilities were turned into skills (separate skills initially).

 

[Reynard]

Why don't we try and figure out how to make real world game situations work, to see if the rules make sense.

A sneaky PC needs to infiltrate a keep in order to ferret put some information. It is a moonlit night and one sleepy guard stands in front of the only unlocked access, while 2 more alert guards walk separate, opposite loops around the keep roof with any eye toward the ground. There are spots of cover, from a hay pile to lean-to stable.

The PC starts at a light woodbine 60 feet from the keep.

What are some action declarations the player can make in an attempt to gain entry,and what rules for stealth and perception would come to bear to adjudicate them?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Agree.

But what about if you are stationary and a guard moves past your position on patrol?

Note the last check you made as per the rules. If you need to change position to not be found, (which happens all the time in movies), make a check to move to a new cover when the guard is distracted (maybe a distraction you create).