D&D (2024) New stealth rules.

[Remathilis]

So if wizard casts invisibility on the Paladin, the Paladin can actually sneak with the rest of the party!! That’s one small win for this rule change. Probably not worth it overall but at least there’s something…

Piggy backing off that, this might actually be a bit of a stealth nerf to the invisibility spell. In the history of D&D, the invisibility spell has been superior to hiding/stealth in every possible way. Now, the invisibility spell:

• Auto succeeds the DC 15 stealth roll
• Negates the need for cover/concealment and not being in LoS.
• Sets the Search DC = Spell DC rather than stealth roll.

In that regard, maybe we should view invisibility less like Bilbo with the ring and maybe more like Batman or Ninja hiding?

 

[mamba]

Outside of initiative (the definition of what starts combat rules), you describe what your character does and the DM asks for an ability check if the result is uncertain. So if you hear goblins coming your way and say "I want to hide to ambush them when they pass by" the DC15 base doesn't come into play, the DM may just ask for a Dexterity (Stealth) check, and sets a DC

and once I was successful, what have I accomplished, how is that expressed? Do I now have the Invisible condition just like after the Hide action or something else? And what else is it?

 

[FrogReaver]

You don't take the 'Hide' action outside of combat. Nor do you take the "Influence" or "Search" actions outside of combat. Outside of initiative (the definition of what starts combat rules), you describe what your character does and the DM asks for an ability check if the result is uncertain. So if you hear goblins coming your way and say "I want to hide to ambush them when they pass by" the DC15 base doesn't come into play, the DM may just ask for a Dexterity (Stealth) check, and sets a DC (probably based on Passive or Activer perception depending on if the goblins are actively looking for intruders) and may grant them advantage or disadvantage based on where and how you hid.

Wait, I cannot attack or cast a spell outside combat? Those are combat actions!

 

[borringman]

Err. The playtest was done. The stealth = invisibility was there too, and it is not something they ever asked anyone's opinion on.

If so then my reaction is "yikes". Not so much the invisibility part than the sheer jankiness of it all.

I take it "yikes" is the appropriate reaction here?

 

[OB1]

If your intent was to ambush, you would have 'Surprise' and get advantage on your initative roll (and possibly start combat with the Invisible condition, though that might require a higher DC). If your intent was to let them pass by (or to sneak by them), if you beat the DC you would acomplish that goal.

 

[FrogReaver]

If your intent was to ambush, you would have 'Surprise' and get advantage on your initative roll (and possibly start combat with the Invisible condition, though that might require a higher DC). If your intent was to let them pass by (or to sneak by them), if you beat the DC you would acomplish that goal.

What if my intent was to stay out of their sight and observe them so I could later decide whether to ambush them or just let them pass by?

 

[Charlaquin]

and once I was successful, what have I accomplished, how is that expressed? Do I now have the Invisible condition just like after the Hide action or something else? And what else is it?

Depends on the action you described. Generally, you succeed at what ever you were trying to accomplish, which in the case of an action the DM opted to resolve with a stealth roll, would usually involve going undetected by some other creature or creatures.

 

[Charlaquin]

What if my intent was to stay out of their sight and observe them so I could later decide whether to ambush them or just let them pass by?

Then you do that.

 

[FrogReaver]

Then you do that.

does that give me the invisible condition?

 

[mellored]

That would fix it, but I don’t think it’s RAI.

Walking out into the open ended stealth before, so why do you think it's not RAI to do it now?