Hide in Plain Sight

[Nail]

I think the acrimony is more around the "Does darkvision negate the shadowdancer's HiPS ability?" question.

No, darkvision (or low light vision, or...) does not negate the HiPS ability. The ability is not dependent on anyone's ability to see/not see thru shadow.

 

[Rackhir]

Hide in an opposed situation is usually a check vs spot, so the ability to "see" isn't relevant. It's like using hide (if possible) while invisible, even if they can "see invisible" they still have to beat your hide check with their spot check.

PS Do we need to be afraid?

 

[Hairfoot]

And yet, other than this dire proclimation, there is no actual deluge. Only been half a day or so, I suppose.

Just getting in my end-of-the-world-is-nigh prediction on the off chance it comes to pass and I get to look prescient.

What I've seen happen usually is: someone will state, quite reasonably, that since hiding is part of movement a PC can attack, then HiPS with as much as a five foot step. Others will respond to say this use is broken because it allows a shadowdancer to be effectively invisible at all times.

Posters will put their various interpretations and house rules, then someone will mention sneak attacks, prompting another poster to point out that the rules don't specifically allow SA from hiding. This generates a flood of replies saying that of course it does: it's the single greatest use of the hide skill for rogues. Thus it becomes a debate over spirit of the game versus RAW.

Then, after three pages of bitter "we play our game properly, but you're all just powergamers/rogue-nerfers" the thread gets shut by the mods.

It will surprise no-one at all that I saw most of this in the Wizards boards, not here.

In our game we use the sniping rules, and give the HiPSter a -20 to hide after attacking.

 

[Rackhir]

Then, after three pages of bitter "we play our game properly, but you're all just powergamers/rogue-nerfers" the thread gets shut by the mods.

Relax, people are generally pretty polite around here and threads getting locked for something other than violating the no-politics/religion rules are extremely rare.

 

[shilsen]

PS Do we need to be afraid?

[campaign in-joke]Does a druid named Luna flame strike in the forest?[/campaign in-joke]

 

[frankthedm]

HIPS is a supernatural ability. That means using it is a standard action. It is a useful ability, but nowhere as game breaking as some picture it.

Hiding lets a rogue have the initative cycle break so the rogue can again catch foes flat footed. Otherewise flanking, blinking, invisability and such, not hiding, is how rogues deal thier sneak attack.

 

[Hairfoot]

HIPS is a supernatural ability. That means using it is a standard action.

I can't see that in the SRD. Is it elsewhere?

EDIT: oop. There it is.

 

[gnfnrf]

HIPS is a supernatural ability. That means using it is a standard action. It is a useful ability, but nowhere as game breaking as some picture it.

I disagree. Supernatural abilities are standard actions unless otherwise noted. The wording "can use the Hide skill" notes that the ability works as Hide, including the action required.

If you insist, then how does Ranger HiPS work?

--
gnfnrf

 

[frankthedm]

If you insist, then how does Ranger HiPS work?

Just like when Jason Voorhees uses it. He HIPS in the middle of combat, the victim, still claiming their dex and other active AC bonuses, looks around for a bit, unable to find him. Since things seem safe initiative ends.

Now Jason stops using HIPS, catches his victim flat footed in the new surprise round and WHACK!

Extraordinary Abilities (Ex)
Extraordinary abilities are nonmagical, though they may break the laws of physics. They are not something that just anyone can do or even learn to do without extensive training.

These abilities cannot be disrupted in combat, as spells can, and they generally do not provoke attacks of opportunity. Effects or areas that negate or disrupt magic have no effect on extraordinary abilities. They are not subject to dispelling, and they function normally in an antimagic field.

Using an extraordinary ability is usually not an action because most extraordinary abilities automatically happen in a reactive fashion. Those extraordinary abilities that are actions are standard actions unless otherwise noted.

 

[Hairfoot]

HiPS is a supernatural ability, but the almighty SRD says it's still a standard action to use.

Top marks for using a teen slasher film to illustrate a teen slasher game concept.