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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 9481896" data-attributes="member: 42582">That is identical to the AD&D text (DMG p 141), which I quoted some of. And it is followed by the same table of percentage chances to not be seen.And I don't see how this AD&D version is any different from a 5e version of the cloak that reads like this?A cloak of elvenkind is of a plain neutral gray which is indistinguishable from any sort of ordinary cloak of the same color. However, when it is worn, with the hood drawn up around he head, it enables the wearer to be nearly invisible, for the cloak has chameleon-like powers. In the outdoors, the wearer of a cloak of elvenkind is almost totally invisible in natural surroundings, nearly so in other settings (+10 to Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in natural surroundings, or +5 otherwise). Note that the wearer is easily seen if violently or hastily moving, regardless of the surroundings.I mean, here is the published 5e version (<a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4606-cloak-of-elvenkind" target="_blank">https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4606-cloak-of-elvenkind</a>):While you wear this cloak with its hood up, Wisdom (Perception) checks made to see you have disadvantage, and you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide, as the cloak's color shifts to camouflage you. Pulling the hood up or down requires an action.This could easily be rewritten to incorporate the AD&D descriptive text (but dropping the distinction between natural and other surroundings):A cloak of elvenkind is of a plain neutral gray which is indistinguishable from any sort of ordinary cloak of the same color. However, when it is worn, with the hood drawn up around he head, it enables the wearer to be nearly invisible, for the cloak has chameleon-like powers: Wisdom (Perception) checks made to see the wearer have disadvantage, and the wearer has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide. Pulling the hood up or down requires an action.So I'm not really sure what your point is. You posted that  "they all have to have a firm rule with all the rough edges sanded down. We can’t just have a cloak that lets you meld into a shadow - it instead just gives you Advantage on Stealth rolls, or a +X modifier. To me that’s very, very boring." But the rules for the % chance to hide in AD&D were just as firm - the rules for the cloak didn't simply states "You meld into a shadow". I don't understand why a list of % chances to hide (which is not integrated with other rules, like a ranger's better chance not to be surprised) is less boring than a rule about a bonus to a stat or skill check.</blockquote>

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