D&D 3E/3.5 Hide Skill (3.5), It's at least a move action!

[CalrinAlshaw]

I don't get it, why do people always say "WotC should clarify or write it this way blah blah blah." When most of the time, the INTENTION is obvious, and the DM's should be controlling their players. I think people have this overdone obsession to follow the "letter" of the rules which completely breaks the intentions, even me, who is a partial rules lawyer don't say crap like "Well, it doesn't say you CAN'T, so that means I can." It's just rediculous, especially for obvious things like the hide skill.

Calrin Alshaw

 

[Deset Gled]

Er... so, according to your line of reasoning, it takes a Shadowdancer a standard action to use Darkvision?

I believe in cases like this it actually does take a standard action to activate the ability. However, since the ability is permanent, it need only be activated once in the characters lifetime, presumably right after they level up. Of course, the only time that this will have any effect on gameplay at all is if a character happens to gain the XP needed to level up in the middle of a battle with multiple opponents.

There was a thread about this subject awhile back (during 3.0 days, and I believe it was specifically about the monk's spell resistance).

 

[Zaruthustran]

I believe in cases like this it actually does take a standard action to activate the ability. However, since the ability is permanent, it need only be activated once in the characters lifetime, presumably right after they level up. Of course, the only time that this will have any effect on gameplay at all is if a character happens to gain the XP needed to level up in the middle of a battle with multiple opponents.

There was a thread about this subject awhile back (during 3.0 days, and I believe it was specifically about the monk's spell resistance).

Uh, okay. Do not agree but I can see the reasoning.

And the Arcane Archer's +1 arrows? There'll be riots if the reasoning is upheld, and Arcane Archers can no longer full attack with free +1 arrows.

Or is it like the activate once thing? As in, you activate the ability once, when you first get the ability, and then--just like it says in the rules--"A shadowdancer can use the Hide skill even while being observed"?

I can't think of any other move action (or standard action, as the case with Arcane Arhcer) that first requires a standard action to "unlock" every single round.

-z

 

[frankthedm]

is wotc FAQing up the rules again?

 

[Thanee]

is wotc FAQing up the rules again?

Just clarifying this time (as above).

@Zaruthustran: Yeah, as said at the end of my post, that really doesn't look right with the standard action.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Li Shenron]

Why not?

"The subject’s outline appears blurred, shifting and wavering. This distortion grants the subject concealment (20% miss chance)."

"You need cover or concealment in order to attempt a Hide check."

If (cover or) concealment is necessary to hide, is (cover or) concealment enough to hide? Strange that someone so careful with words like you is saying that Blur lets you hide.

I think that there are many common misconception about what the Hide skill represent, and I have myself been in error so many times, and so many times again I will be .

 

[Li Shenron]

is wotc FAQing up the rules again?

As a matter of fact, being a devout of Chaos I am very happy of these controversials between RAW, errata, FAQs, RoTG or SA and Dragon articles, because they only increase the importance and responsibility of the DM.

 

[Hypersmurf]

If (cover or) concealment is necessary to hide, is (cover or) concealment enough to hide?

As long as you're not being observed? Sure. Those are the only conditions in the skill description...

-Hyp.

 

[Li Shenron]

As long as you're not being observed? Sure. Those are the only conditions in the skill description...

-Hyp.

 

[Thanee]

So, there I am, a 3rd level wizard hiding in the middle of a completely empty room, using my blur spell as concealment.

Now, someone enters the room and does not see me, if he fails his spot check!?

Suuuuure!

Bye
Thanee