Ring of Chameleon Power = Hide in Plain Sight?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Had an interesting debate over this recently. A couple players argued that the blending ability of the ring is enough to grant you a Hide check when otherwise you could not (e.g. no concealment or cover). I argued that the ring allows you to blend and grants you a +10 bonus to Hide checks, BUT the fact remains that you need to qualify for a Hide check in the first place (concealment/cover). Granting a Hide check when not otherwise entitled to one mean the ring also grants the power of Hide in Plain Sight, and that isn't reflected in the text of the item description OR in the cost.

What do you think?


Chameleon Power: As a free action, the wearer of this ring can gain the ability to magically blend in with the surroundings. This provides a +10 competence bonus on her Hide checks. As a standard action, she can also command the ring to utilize the spell disguise self as often as she wants.

Faint illusion; CL 3rd; Forge Ring, disguise self, invisibility; Price 12,700 gp.

 

[Thanee]

Of course not.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Crothian]

Only if you increase the parice a bunch.

 

[Len]

I don't see anything in the description that removes the requirement for cover or concealment when you make a Hide check. The phrase "magically blend in with the surroundings" doesn't mean that it acts like HiPS or Invisibility - it doesn't say that you become completely impossible to see. It's just the reason why you're more difficult to see and thus get a bonus to Hide.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Oh I totally agree with you. But the players took the stance that the blending was enough to allow them to make a Hide check so I was just wondering if I was being heavy-handed in deep-sixing the idea. Their view is reasonable I suppose, but I don't think the item's description or price reflects that added benefit.

 

[Thanee]

You are 100% right.

Bye
Thanee