How to sneak effectively?

[Tilenas]

To all the sneaky characters out there (or simply anyone who has the tactics down): Using the errata'd PHB stealth rules, how do become hidden in the midst of battle as often as possible?

[I ask because the original wording required (regular) cover or concealment to make a check, implying that any warlock could try a stealth check using his shadow walk ability. Now, with total cover/concealment required, that tactic doesn't work anymore.]

 

[Kalthanis]

For stealthy characters it's easier. The rogue in my group likes to position himself behind a wall, one square away from an opening that he can throw from. He moves there, he is completely hidden, he makes a Stealth check. On his turn, he Deft Strikes. He moves one square to the doorway, throws with Stealthed Combat Advantage, then shifts one square back, and re-Stealths. Get up to level 16, and Hide in Plain Sight does a good job at it. A ranger can do the same thing with Nimble Strike.

But you asked about a Warlock. The Feypact Warlock in my game doesn't really utilize Stealth that often. But I imagine he could utilize almost the same tactic. Get behind a wall. Stealth. Shift to the doorway, blast from Stealthed Concealment. Now he's open to attacks, but on his next turn he can blast someone and then shift back behind the wall and Stealth. You're right though, you cannot rely solely on your Shadow Walk ability. What that would allow you to do is Stealth from behind cover, and then float the battlefield stealthed. Two problems though, as soon as you attack you blow your Stealth, and in order to maintain that you have to move 3 squares which drops that hefty -5 to your Stealth rolls (overcome possibly by multiclassing into Rogue and taking Secret Stride at paragon).

Don't be afraid to use the environment, knocked over tables or beds make for good Total Cover. Throw rugs or cut tapestries to land on their heads (make sure to tell the GM what you're attempting first. Just saying you throw a rug might not work. Saying you're throwing a rug to try and get it over him like a net so he can't see... your DM knows your intention). Stepping back and hunkering down from a ledge will do the trick. Or have your friendly friends blind your opponents and make Stealth checks afterwards.

 

[Nifft]

It's tough to hide in every combat now.

Easier ways to get combat advantage:
- Find an ally who can knock foes prone
- Find an ally whose attacks impart Dazed (or just plain combat advantage)
- Take the feat Distant Advantage if your melee-heavies tend to flank foes
- Find ways to be the flanker yourself

Cheers, -- N

 

[ilmoin]

But you asked about a Warlock. The Feypact Warlock in my game doesn't really utilize Stealth that often. But I imagine he could utilize almost the same tactic. Get behind a wall. Stealth. Shift to the doorway, blast from Stealthed Concealment. Now he's open to attacks, but on his next turn he can blast someone and then shift back behind the wall and Stealth. You're right though, you cannot rely solely on your Shadow Walk ability. What that would allow you to do is Stealth from behind cover, and then float the battlefield stealthed. Two problems though, as soon as you attack you blow your Stealth, and in order to maintain that you have to move 3 squares which drops that hefty -5 to your Stealth rolls (overcome possibly by multiclassing into Rogue and taking Secret Stride at paragon).

If you want to play a stealthy Warlock, a Gnome Feypact is probably your best bet. You won't be able to maintain stealth all the time, but with Reactive Stealth (make an automatic hide check if you have cover or concealment at the beginning of combat) and Fade Away you should have two opportunities to go hidden in any combat that other characters don't have. Add in the Shadow Skulk feat (don't lose hidden if you miss with an attack) and careful use of Eyebite (going invisible to a creature when you have total cover to all other enemies) and you should be able to stealth quite a bit.

 

[Ryujin]

Making friends with a Warlock who has Mire the Mind, or the discrete use of Flash Powder doesn't hurt either.

 

[Kalthanis]

Haha. You know I totally forgot about Eyebite. Move 3 steps, hit your opponent with Eyebite. Now you're invisible, so throw down that Stealth check (-5 but whatevs). Your invisibility ends at the start of your next turn, but your Concealment lasts through to the end. So technically unless the enemy has spotted you, you're still Hidden, even out in the open. Blast with Eyebite, move, rinse, repeat.

 

[Starfox]

For the Feypackt: Notice that hide is not a universal condition; it applies to each target separately. Use Eyebite, thus rendering yourself invisible to one target. Then move 3 squares with a move action and hide from this target. Because you have concealment, you will stay hidden even after the start of your next turn, and can thus make a hidden attack against your Eyebite target.

Of course, all the other critters will wonder why you're trying to hide in plain sight, but they you are feytouched; a little crazy makes perfect sense.