D&D 5E Ranged attacks from behind a corner/an object

[Nailen]

But I'd like to add another szenario as a question to those, who agreed to the second position:

Let's say, I am playing a rogue that hides behind a corner. He gets Sneak Attack, because of the fact that he has the hidden condition that grants him Advantage (Advantage is one of the requirements for a Sneak Attack). The Rogue is a master of hiding, so he attacks and then uses his Bonus Action to hide again with his Cunning Action. He repeats that for several rounds.

So, I know there are a lot of people that say "NO! You can't hide twice behind the same place!". But I assume three things:

• a) If there is a place to hide only the dice decides whether or not a creature detects the rogue (no matter how often).
• b) The creature might know from where the attack/arrow/bolt came from, but it does not see the attacker. It doesn't see the Rogue reloading or aiming and in case of an object (e.g. a big barrel) it doesn't even know, if the Rogue is going to pop out from the left or right side. So it's obviously harder to defend against the rogue's further attacks than it would normally be.
• c) The rogue (and only the rogue) can "shoot and hide" within one round. He is a master of hiding like other classes can cast or do other cool stuff. That said, there should be some "general openness" for rogue tactics, as it is one of his main features.

What do you think about that?

When trying to hide again, the rogue must make another Stealth check - if hiding in the same spot, you could choose to rule that the check is made with disadvantage as the monster has an inkling that someone is hiding there. (I think that's what I would do). Pick a different spot to hide and no disadv.
Of course, the monster may also take their action to attempt to get into cover. So, when your rogue pops back out to take a second shot, there is no target!!

 

[Oofta]

How I run it is that taking the hide action doesn't mean enemies forgets you exist, or where they last saw you. If there's only one place you could logically be, they probably know your approximate location and may be watching for you to come out from behind cover again. If they can clearly see you, you are no longer hidden. Of course there are situations where they could be mistaken, if you Misty Step to a different location for example.

Attacking an enemy that does not see you does give you advantage and if you have advantage you can apply sneak attack. However, note that you also get sneak attack if your target has an enemy adjacent (typically one of your allies).

 

[Hriston]

Surely this depends on the nature of your hiding place. And how much cover it is giving you.

Not really. If I'm completely concealed by an obstacle I have total cover. But if there's a clear path from the edge of the obstacle to your location, then you don't have total cover and can be targeted.

Also, sorry for the last minute edit of my post. You ninja'd my edit!

 

[Hriston]

Thanks for your responses! I figured out that there were two positions so far:

1.) While hiding behind a corner/object you have full cover and therefore need to step out to shoot.
2.) You can shoot "around" a corner/object without the need to jump out and back again. But if you do so, you only have 3/4 cover until the start of your next turn (if you don't move at all).

You missed my position:

3.) While hiding behind an obstacle you have total cover, but your target does not and can be targeted without you having to step out from behind the obstacle.

 

[Nailen]

How can you see the target if you are in total cover?
"A target with *total cover* can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely concealed by the object"

If you are 'completely concealed' from the monster, then you surely cannot see it...?

 

[jaelis]

You missed my position:

3.) While hiding behind an obstacle you have total cover, but your target does not and can be targeted without you having to step out from behind the obstacle.

Yes, how do you explain this? If something completely blocks his access to you, then how do you have access to him?

 

[Nailen]

Not trying to be an a-hole about it, just don't see how your approach could work.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using EN World mobile app

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

YES! Another stealth thread! It's been way too long since the last one. I'm looking forward to seeing all my favorite arguments presented again

 

[DEFCON 1]

I imagine what he means is that he's not charging any movement to the PC to lean out from behind the cover, shoot, and then lean back. The "lean, shoot, return to total cover" is all a part of the Attack action the PC is taking (please correct me if I'm wrong.)

That's why it's a 3). It's not "step out to shoot but now you have no cover" nor "lean out to shoot but now you only have 3/4 cover".

Personally, I rule the same way. PCs can hide behind stuff, pop up and shoot, then duck back down behind the cover again.

 

[Oofta]

I imagine what he means is that he's not charging any movement to the PC to lean out from behind the cover, shoot, and then lean back. The "lean, shoot, return to total cover" is all a part of the Attack action the PC is taking (please correct me if I'm wrong.)

That's why it's a 3). It's not "step out to shoot but now you have no cover" nor "lean out to shoot but now you only have 3/4 cover".

Personally, I rule the same way. PCs can hide behind stuff, pop up and shoot, then duck back down behind the cover again.

It's all down to DM rulings of course. You can't hide from a creature that can clearly see you. In my campaign, if an enemy knows they were attacked from behind that corner, they're going to know the rogue may try it again even if they can't currently tell exactly where the rogue is. So the moment the rogue pops up/leans out/moves so that they can see their target they are also seen.

There are exceptions of course like a rogue in the darkness targeting humans carrying torches.

Gaining advantage from being unseen is not the only way to get sneak attack, if the rogue only gets advantage once or twice in combat it doesn't exactly break the class.