Hiding and encounter distance

[CCamfield]

Do I have this right?

To use an example that came up in my campaign, suppose a hungry hellhound is on the trail of some annoying adventurers that walked through its forest. It thinks it's getting close, so let's assume that it's hiding as it moves along.

The spotting distance in light forest is 3d6x10'. Let's say it comes out to 100 feet.

Because the hellhound is hiding as it moves, the DC to spot the hellhound at 100 feet is 25 + 11 = 36. For a group of six 2nd level characters, the hellhound is essentially invisible at this distance.

Finally, at 50 feet they get to make Spot checks versus the hellhound's rather gross Hide ability.

I guess my question is really with the DC 25 + Hide skill. The spotters don't get to take 20, right? So it would generally be pretty damn difficult for anyone to spot someone coming in while hiding, barring a large penalty due to armour or something like that.

 

[shilsen]

Finally, at 50 feet they get to make Spot checks versus the hellhound's rather gross Hide ability.

No. At 50 feet they automatically see it, and it automatically sees them, presuming neither of them did so earlier. Check DMG pg.59 and the example on pg.60.

Also remember that something moving while hiding does so at half normal overland speed and has a -2 on its own chance to spot someone.

 

[CCamfield]

Shilsen, "the other creatures do not automatically spot hiding creatures at one-half the creature distance..." (p60, top of the second paragraph)

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Do I have this right?

Yes, it looks right.

I guess my question is really with the DC 25 + Hide skill. The spotters don't get to take 20, right? So it would generally be pretty damn difficult for anyone to spot someone coming in while hiding, barring a large penalty due to armour or something like that.

Yes, it is generally difficult, especially when the approaching hider is good at it. The party has a much better chance at spotting it at 50 feet with opposing Spot/Hide checks. If they don't spot it there, the creature has the advantage. You might expect this when the creature in question is stealthy, like the hell hound. The party should not be able to spot everything, after all.

 

[shilsen]

Shilsen, "the other creatures do not automatically spot hiding creatures at one-half the creature distance..." (p60, top of the second paragraph)

Yikes! I forgot it's different for hiding creatures. Thanks.