Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Abraxas" data-source="post: 6048448" data-attributes="member: 1266">Exactly, the mechanics define how the ability works in the game. If you want HiPS to not work agaisnt darkvision, write the rule for it so it doesn't work against darkvision. As it is written right now however, darkvision doesn't defeat the ability.When you make the movie you can simply show the shadowdancer fading from view - have all color fade from the shadow dancer as she becomes indistinct until you can no longer see her. What we disagree on is the requirement for "concealment" that you keep adding to the ability to satisfy your vision of verisimilitude. You can reskin the ability however you want - but that shouldn't change the way it works unless you want to actually change the way it works.But with your "pulling shadows from across the room" implementation, the opponent knows pretty much where the shadowdancer is because there's a great big visible shadow following her around.There is plenty of context - you just don't like it.By the RAW the requirement to use stealth normally is having cover or concealment - so unless the stealthy character creates a distraction to cross an open area he does need something to provide cover/concealment while sneaking up to or past someone. Now, if you are willing to drop that requirement for the common rogue, why do you insist on adding a restriction that doesn't exist for the supernatural shadowdancer?As a note: in 3.0 there were actual rules for maintaining stealth when the character didn't have cover/concealment for his entire path of travel.So someone who just fades from sight isn't evocative? It would sure freak the heck out of me.There are plenty of ways to evocatively describe the ability that don't change how it works.It doesn't let you BEGIN to use stealth - it lets you use the stealth skill, period, under circumstances that normally would not allow it. The other fellow doesn't have an ability that lets him use stealth AT ALL while being observed.Nope. But it doesn't say that the shadowdancer uses the area of dim illumintaion to provide concealment either.Here's a simple question - if the ability said, "while in areas of dim illumination the shadowdancer can use stealth even while being observed and with no cover" would you rule that darkvision foils the ability?If yes, why? The altered version clearly states that she can use stealth "while being observed" and (going to the actual rules text) nothing in the description of darkvision says that having it causes areas of dim illumination to cease to exist.If no, why doesn't the ability also work versus darkvision as it currently is written?If he gets behind his adversary, and is still within 10 ft of a non personal shadow, he can remain hidden until the Anti-magic field is cast. Once it is cast, he can no longer use HiPS or use stealth because HiPS is supernatural and he has no cover/concealment - he would automatically be spotted. There are no facing rules in the game - it's a simplification that has it's own problems - and I would happily house  rule exceptions. However, I would admit that they were indeed houserules and not what the RAW says.It is a lot more like invisibility - it's a supernatural ability - it's magic. The only reason he can use the stealth skill is because of the supernatural ability - once the conditions for the supernatural ability to be used are no longer present he can no longer benefit from it.Why not change the description of Magic missile to bolts of blue shoot out of your fingertips and unerringly strike your chosen target. No need to list the mechanics, the DM will tell me what constitutes a target, how much damage it does, and what range it has.I want the description to match the mechanics of the ability.I have no problem with a DM determining if there is indeed dim illumination in the room - they already have to do that all the time. I have no problem with houserules. What I don't want is arbitrarily changing how the actual rules work and then not admitting that those changes are houserules. It's also miles better than, well darkvision just foils it because I say so.</blockquote>

Verification