Hide in plain sight

[dr_nukem]

*NOT* a standard action

Take a look at some of the previous discussions on HiPS.

http://test.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10146

Specifically this thread...

http://test.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7456

The Sage has recommended (ok, ruled...but it's your game) that HiPS is *NOT* a standard action...but PART OF a movement action.

Have a read...

 

[dr_nukem]

Ok, if you've read the posts, you've probably gathered that I play a Rogue/Shadowdancer.

My opinion is that the ability fits the level. You have to be at least 8th level to gain this ability. By that point, any class that has some nifty Ex or SU abilities...even if they don't PrC.

Straight up fighters will be weapon spec'd, impr Crit, with whirlwind and such...

Monks are running around with 3 or 4 attacks at 1d10, running 60'+ per movement, and distroying opponents by grappling with them...

Wizards and Sorcerors...sheesh, do I even need to mention the different types of spells they are pulling off?

HiPS by itself it not overpowering. It has its uses...and its shortcomings, just like any other ability of any other class or PrC. If the player is abusing the power, the DM should have a little chat with him...and if that fails, send it some wraiths or other Shadow type creatures to have a chat with his PC. Maybe they don't like him drawing so much attention to their realm! :->

Cheers,

Nukem

 

[mikebr99]

Thanks Nukem...
I was searching (manually) for some previous threads on this item, but to no avail...

To sum up:

Hide in plain sight is a move equiv. action, the same as the hide skill.

Low-light and Darkvision do not have any affect on this ability.

The hide skill doesn't allow someone to hide while being observed (unless the bluff skill is also used), but 'Hide in plain sight' does... at a -20 penalty?

The shadows within 10ft. simply power the ability.

 

[mikebr99]

Ouch!!!
I *BUMP*ed my knee...

 

[Abraxas]

originally posted by mikebr99
The hide skill doesn't allow someone to hide while being observed (unless the bluff skill is also used), but 'Hide in plain sight' does... at a -20 penalty?

HiPS allows the character to hide while being observed. There is no penalty.

 

[Thebalrog]

Cool thread, actually it reminds me of before I left the gaming world for a couple months.

On the old site, another poster (I think his name was Greathouse) helped me min/max a pc whose special ability was to Hide in Plain site every round and perform continuous sneak attacks on enemies.

The info's long lost I suppose, and I can't remember if we ever got everything completely right. But if I remember correctly you started with a lvl of Fghter for the feats then a lvl or two of Monk. and a bunch of Rogue lvls. Later on you took 10 lvls of the old NotCM prestige class to get "Always Sneaky" and also one of the Shadowdancer class for "Hide in Plain site."

It was an interesting PC the oher guy did most of the min/maxing work, he was a master at it, I just came up with the idea of continuous sneak attacks each round using lvls from NotCM and Shadowdancer. Oh yea, he was duel wielding too, so I think he had a Ranger lvl.

I'll have to post it again and see if I can get it min/maxed.

 

[Roland Delacroix]

HiPS allows the character to hide while being observed. There is no penalty.

In the Epic Level playtest document epic characters can Hide in Plain Sight just like hiding, but at a -20 to the check. Thats probably what he was reffering to.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

I've had two players become shadowdancers. One actuaslly followed through with the pretige class, the other basically took it for HiPS. The 1st was fine in my oppinion, the second was a powerhouse. Shot on the run+HiPS just got sick, not tons of damage every round since it was only one attack though a really nice sneak attack, but it was absurdly hard for people to counter attack him especially when you consider there were plenty of visible threats from the rest of the party to contend with.

And by the way while you can't use you own shadow, that doesn't stop you from using you parties shadow, or even the shadow of the person who decides to attack you.

 

[Jack Haggerty]

Hmmm...

I wonder if a Shadowdancer can use his Shadow Companion to Hide in Plain Sight...

 

[dr_nukem]

Thanks Nukem...
I was searching (manually) for some previous threads on this item, but to no avail...

To sum up:

Hide in plain sight is a move equiv. action, the same as the hide skill.

That would really depend on how you rule on the Hide skill. There are stacks of threads on this...whether it is a MEA or part of a movement action... I personally think that Hiding (and thus the HiPS ability) should be considered free actions when combined with movement. That's just my opinion though...

Low-light and Darkvision do not have any affect on this ability.

The hide skill doesn't allow someone to hide while being observed (unless the bluff skill is also used), but 'Hide in plain sight' does... at a -20 penalty?

Negative there batman...this has been clarified by the Sage as well as commented on by Monte Cook. HiPS has no modifier to it. It is a supernatural ability. The only time you have a modifier to your check (and it is a Hide check) is if you A) move more than 1/2 your base speed in one round or B) Attack someone and then hide (-20).

The shadows within 10ft. simply power the ability.

Correct. Also note that you don't actually hide *IN* the shadow...there just has to be one within 10' of you. Also, as noted already, you can't hide in your own shadow.