Hide & sneak attack situation needs help!

[mikebr99]

I think you should always allow the chance for someone to sneak all the way up to the party. Even if there are more then 1 person(s) on watch.

The rationale is that the stealth player will need to make both Hide+MoveSilent checks, and ALL characters in the "ToBeAmbushed" party get to make both Spot+Listen checks.

Since each additional check gives another "detect" roll, more people making the "detection" checks will statistically make it more likely the Assassin is detected.

Of course based on circumstance, the DM would have to add/subtract bonuses to the above rolls...

Well, Zipher, you need cover/concealment or HiPS to accomplish this... or invisibility.

Mike

 

[Rel]

Just have the Half-Orc bring a barrel with him. He can hide behind the barrel once he's within the torchlight.

Just have the party make spot checks after that. If they succeed, tell them, "That barrel up the hallway seems closer than you remember it being."

Make sure that when the Half-Orc jumps out from behind the barrel to sneak attack he says, "Ah HA!"

 

[The Amazing Dingo]

One option to be able ot SA without cover is the Shadowdancer's Hide in Plain Sight ability. You still need a shadow within 10 feet, but I think their Shadow companion could probably get close enough with a good role without getting too much attention.

Then can SA without a problem.

lol...Rel, I know the next time I see some scene with the stripper popping out of the birthday cake I'm gonna think about that.

 

[Jarrod]

From the SRD:

You need cover or concealment in order to attempt a Hide check. Total cover or total concealment usually (but not always; see Special, below) obviates the need for a Hide check, since nothing can see you anyway.

That indicates that you need cover or concealment to hide, so that you can't hide in a corridor filled with torchlight. However, also from the SRD:

Your Hide check is opposed by the Spot check of anyone who might see you.



I've often found that "common sense" screws over the rogues. "You can't hide, you're in the middle of a field". Well, let me tell you... it is entirely possible to hide in an open field. Wear camoflage clothing, blend in well, don't move... it is difficult, but doable. And that's what the Hide skill is for.


I'm going to disagree with everyone else here. My ruling would be that the orc is hidden (roll Hide), and that Hide roll is opposed by the Spot check of everyone in the party that could see him. If someone spots him, then they do. If not, then they _don't_. Corridor, torchlight, whatever. If he is that good at hiding, he can sneak right up to the cleric and tap him on the shoulder.

It's been done. To me. Yeah, the guy was good; this is fantasy, and the hiders can be _better_.

 

[Aaron2]

That indicates that you need cover or concealment to hide, so that you can't hide in a corridor filled with torchlight.

The "shadowy illumination" zone does provide concealment.

"You can't hide, you're in the middle of a field". Well, let me tell you... it is entirely possible to hide in an open field. Wear camoflage clothing, blend in well, don't move... it is difficult, but doable. And that's what the Hide skill is for.

Does the field have grass? Bushes? If so then it also provides concealment. A character can hide in an open field, as described, if he's a ranger.

If he is that good at hiding, he can sneak right up to the cleric and tap him on the shoulder.

If he's that good at hiding, he'd should have HiPS.


Aaron

 

[Pielorinho]

Just have the Half-Orc bring a barrel with him. He can hide behind the barrel once he's within the torchlight.

Behind? Nah: for this to work, he has to be hiding inside the barrel. Whenever the party isn't looking, he lifts the barrel up and tiptoes forward, making little "dinkdinkdinkdinkdinkdink" noises. Eyeholes drilled in the barrel are mandatory.

(Have fun at game day; I'll definitely not be making it )

Daniel

 

[Rel]

making little "dinkdinkdinkdinkdinkdink" noises.

Also, if a party member sees the approaching barrel, he is required to say, "Ruh ro, Raggy."

(Have fun at game day; I'll definitely not be making it )

Daniel

I sort figured. Wish you could be there. Maybe NCGDVI in January?

 

[Dracuwulf]

OK so most people seem to think the half-orc needs cover or concealment to get up close and stab the cleric without being noticed.

The half-orc reads the rulebook, then pulls out his Tower Shield (which grants him total cover), spray-paints it black, and makes his hide check while out in the darkness at 60 feet, then moves silently through the shadowy area, into the light, and right up to the party. Then he stabs the cleric. By the rules, he has cover, so he can do this right?

 

[Kershek]

I know that you stated the whole party is human, but it only takes one person with darkvision (or the spell darkvision) to make it very difficult for someone to sneak up on the party. Since shadows mean nothing, anyone within 60 feet, light or dark, will be plainly visible to a dwarf (for instance) and not hidable. There's always the HiPS argument with darkvision, but I won't get into that.

 

[Dracuwulf]

From the SRD:

You need cover or concealment in order to attempt a Hide check. Total cover or total concealment usually (but not always; see Special, below) obviates the need for a Hide check, since nothing can see you anyway.

That indicates that you need cover or concealment to hide, so that you can't hide in a corridor filled with torchlight.

Wait a minute. for a torch with a human viewer:

the bright light extends from 0 to 20 feet
the shadows extend from 20 to 40 feet
the darkness extends beyond 40 feet

The rules say that you need cover or concealment to *ATTEMPT* a hide check. So why can't the half-orc make his check while he is in the shadows at 20 feet at the start of his Move action, move 20 feet *AFTER* making a successful hide check (but in the same round), then use a Standard action to sneak attack the cleric?