Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 8097842" data-attributes="member: 6801845">Being invisible is very simple.  You can't be seen without the aid of magic or special senses.  Period.[SPOILER="Invisible"]Invisible<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">An invisible creature is impossible to see without the aid of magic or a special sense. For the purpose of hiding, the creature is heavily obscured. The creature's location can be detected by any noise it makes or any tracks it leaves.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Attack rolls against the creature have disadvantage, and the creature's attack rolls have advantage.</li> </ul>[/SPOILER]The PHB does not state that at the start of combat PCs know where all enemy combatants are.  They "automatically notice each other", that's it.  [SPOILER="Surprise"]SurpriseA band of adventurers sneaks up on a bandit camp, springing from the trees to attack them. A <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/gelatinous-cube" target="_blank">gelatinous cube</a> glides down a dungeon passage, unnoticed by the adventurers until the cube engulfs one of them. In these situations, one side of the battle gains surprise over the other.The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (<a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/using-ability-scores#Stealth" target="_blank">Stealth</a>) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (<a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/using-ability-scores#Perception" target="_blank">Perception</a>) score of each creature on the opposing side. Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't.[/SPOILER]Next in the Hiding rules, it states that "An invisible creature can always try to hide."  In addition "Signs of its passage might still be noticed, and it does have to stay quiet."  It does not say that they must hide or in order for signs of passage to not be noticed. Signs might be noticed is similar to how a rectangle might be a square does not mean that all rectangles are squares.  Obviously whether the DM thinks the signs of passage might be noticed is up to DM preference and situation.[SPOILER="Hiding"]HIDINGThe DM decides when circumstances are appropriate for hiding. When you try to hide, make a Dexterity (Stealth) check. Until you are discovered or you stop hiding, that check's total is contested by the Wisdom (Perception) check of any creature that actively searches for signs of your presence.You can't hide from a creature that can see you clearly, and you give away your position if you make noise, such as shouting a warning or knocking over a vase. An invisible creature can always try to hide. Signs of its passage might still be noticed, and it does have to stay quiet.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 DM 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.Passive Perception. When you hide, there's a chance someone will notice you even if they aren't searching. To determine whether such a creature notices you, the DM compares your Dexterity (Stealth) check with that creature's passive Wisdom (Perception) score, which equals 10 + the creature's Wisdom modifier, as well as any other bonuses or penalties. If the creature has advantage, add 5. For disadvantage, subtract 5. For example, if a 1st-level character (with a proficiency bonus of +2) has a Wisdom of 15 (a +2 modifier) and proficiency in Perception, he or she has a passive Wisdom (Perception) of 14.What Can You See? One of the main factors in determining whether you can find a hidden creature or object is how well you can see in an area, which might be lightly or heavily obscured, as explained in <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/adventuring" target="_blank">chapter 8</a>.[/SPOILER]That's it.  That's all the rules tell us that I know of.  How you run invisibility, how easy it is to locate them based on senses other than sight is completely up to the DM.</blockquote>

Verification