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<blockquote data-quote="Ovinomancer" data-source="post: 8097652" data-attributes="member: 16814"><p>Combat, like it or not, changes the stakes in D&amp;D.&nbsp; There's a reason there's a phenomenon called the &quot;combat swoosh,&quot; because you sudden transition to a rather different set of resolution mechanics and it's heralded by an initiative roll.&nbsp; Since the stakes change, there's a strong move towards mechanics that don't require a lot of on the spot adjudication of finicky bits and ones that are more uniformly applied across tables (ie, more concrete guidance instead of the looser guidance in the rest of the game).&nbsp; Also, combat in D&amp;D immediately elevates stakes to life and death (usually, unless you take steps to do otherwise).&nbsp; Because of this, the baseline presumption is that everyone knows where everyone else is so decisions can be made that reflect a good understanding of the risks and rewards.&nbsp; Removing information is powerful in the combat pillar, which is why location information removal is gated behind successful Hide actions, the environment, and the current tactical positioning.&nbsp; Invisibility, as a 2nd level spell, should not drastically alter how combat is balanced -- that's the role of higher level spells.&nbsp; If a 2nd level spell can, without effort, remove one of the main risk understanding sources in combat, then it starts to assume a disruptive position.&nbsp; Hence, the understanding is that Invisibility allows the Hide action at any time which means it does not normally make the target of the effect hidden.&nbsp; If you are not hidden, you can be detected, even if you are not seen.&nbsp; Thus, the baseline presumption of Invisibility is that you are detected unless you take steps in addition to being invisible.&nbsp; That may be the Hide action, or it may be taking advantage of the terrain, or something else, but without it, you are detected.&nbsp; How?&nbsp; Well, as you note, you aren't seen, but perhaps the dust you kick up is, or you make a sound, or there's a brief fluctuation in the Invisibility that creates a distortion around you, or..... sky's the limit, be creative.</p></blockquote><p></p>

[QUOTE="Ovinomancer, post: 8097652, member: 16814"] Combat, like it or not, changes the stakes in D&D. There's a reason there's a phenomenon called the "combat swoosh," because you sudden transition to a rather different set of resolution mechanics and it's heralded by an initiative roll. Since the stakes change, there's a strong move towards mechanics that don't require a lot of on the spot adjudication of finicky bits and ones that are more uniformly applied across tables (ie, more concrete guidance instead of the looser guidance in the rest of the game). Also, combat in D&D immediately elevates stakes to life and death (usually, unless you take steps to do otherwise). Because of this, the baseline presumption is that everyone knows where everyone else is so decisions can be made that reflect a good understanding of the risks and rewards. Removing information is powerful in the combat pillar, which is why location information removal is gated behind successful Hide actions, the environment, and the current tactical positioning. Invisibility, as a 2nd level spell, should not drastically alter how combat is balanced -- that's the role of higher level spells. If a 2nd level spell can, without effort, remove one of the main risk understanding sources in combat, then it starts to assume a disruptive position. Hence, the understanding is that Invisibility allows the Hide action at any time which means it does not normally make the target of the effect hidden. If you are not hidden, you can be detected, even if you are not seen. Thus, the baseline presumption of Invisibility is that you are detected unless you take steps in addition to being invisible. That may be the Hide action, or it may be taking advantage of the terrain, or something else, but without it, you are detected. How? Well, as you note, you aren't seen, but perhaps the dust you kick up is, or you make a sound, or there's a brief fluctuation in the Invisibility that creates a distortion around you, or..... sky's the limit, be creative. [/QUOTE]

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