D&D 5E hide action usability?

[PnPgamer]

So ive found that hide action seems really redundant. Why wouöd anyone try hiding in combat? Is there something im missing? Are there uses for it that you can do at least once on combat? Or better yet once per round for rogues (or warlocks with darkness invisbility invocation)?

 

[Paraxis]

Hide as a bonus action using the rogue cunning action ability to gain advantage on your next attack.

Move>Hide>Attack(w/advantage)>Move some more

Lets you target enemies that are not adjacent to allies for sneak attacks and gives you a better chance to hit, great for ranged builds.

Halflings(lightfoot) can do the same thing in melee pretty easy by using other enemies to hide behind. So you have two enemies near you, move behind one cunning action to hide from the other, then move out and attack.

Also hiding is great for you know hiding, when the dragon droppings hit the fan it might be best to hide it isn't a TPK if one person lives to get the others raised from the dead.

 

[Shiroiken]

Rogues can get a lot of mileage out of Hide in combat, depending on the DM.

Most DM's I've met allow someone to make the check, even if enemy knows generally where they are (they're behind that wall/rock/hill/whatever). Basically the enemy loses track of you during the excitement of battle. They know you're there somewhere, but not exactly where (kinda like invisibility). If there's nothing else going on (say with a lone Rogue or everyone's hiding), then I'd give Disadvantage on the check.

 

[Athinar]

I play a rouge and I to would give disadvantage but even in combat

 

[Paraxis]

Why would just being in combat be enough of a reason to impose disadvantage on hide checks?

 

[Warmaster Horus]

My rogue uses it all the time, especially outdoors where their Mask of the Wild ability lends many more opportunities. Firing from hiding = advantage = sneak attack damage with a ranged weapon and also = low likelihood of being attacked by the enemy. What's not to like?

 

[miniaturehoarder]

So ive found that hide action seems really redundant. Why wouöd anyone try hiding in combat? Is there something im missing?

Each person has to decide that for themselves. The rules are there so every can try, not to justify taking the action in the economy of actions.

 

[Paraxis]

Each person has to decide that for themselves. The rules are there so every can try, not to justify taking the action in the economy of actions.

What? if the action is not worth taking the action there is no reason for it to exist.

If there was a thumb up the caboose action you could take that didn't do a darn thing it would be a waste of space on the page and it would indeed need to justify it's existence in a list of actions that are productive.

 

[Sunseeker]

The reason is to allow people to gain advantage on enemies that aren't adjacent to your allies, or potentially to attempt to sneak out the back door with the "important item" while your allies distract/engage the foes.

 

[Coredump]

Why would just being in combat be enough of a reason to impose disadvantage on hide checks?

Because according to the rules, people are more alert to their surroundings during combat.