D&D 5E So.... hide?

[fjw70]

There is also no rule that says if you are hiding and at some point an enemy gains LOS to you he automatically spots you.

I never said it was automatic. It's the DM call whether they are distracted or not. The whole point is that it is not automatic either way.

All it says is you cannot begin hiding from an enemy that can see you.

it does not say "begin hiding" it is "hide." That includes on going hiding.

 

[Uller]

Sounds reasonable.


My point is a meta- one: the rules are ambiguous, and I think obviously so, and so posts which assert that other posters are obviously doing it wrong, or have obviously misread the rules, are pretty pointless.

I don't think I'm saying anyone has obviously misread the rules. We all misread rules. I'm saying that if a rule is ambiguous (as this one clearly is) then it's fair to refer to real world experience to see if a particular interpretation stands up. If it doesn't, it's a good idea to re-examine it. IMXP, hiding from someone long enough to gain an advantage on attacking them is pretty easy and I'm not a larger than life character with (near) supernatural abilities.

 

[pemerton]

I don't think I'm saying anyone has obviously misread the rules.

I didn't have you in mind!

 

[cthulhu42]

I am officially more confused than when I started this thread

 

[Warmaster Horus]

One thing we can all agree on is that the Hiding sidebar in the PHB needs a re-work.

Based on my interpretation of the rule, and the way I run it at my table, a character needs to be out of sight (or invisible or have a special case apply) to attempt to Hide (Stealth check). Once that's done they need to stay obscured in some way - lurking in reasonable cover at a reasonable rate of speed - to retain their Hiding status. This means they are not spotted by opponents who's Perception checks don't meet the character's Stealth check's DC. Stepping out of reasonable cover automatically breaks their Hiding status unless there's a special reason for it not to.

This is obviously an interpretation of the Hiding sidebar, but it seems RAI. I'll now stand back and let the RA(poorly)W crowd come in and pick my process apart.

 

[iatesand]

There is no rule that allows you to automatically stay hidden if the enemy can see you if they look in your direction. If I am wrong please cite the rule.

No once you are hidden you are hidden until you unhide or somebody spots you with a passive or active perception roll. I was sneaking up to scare a girl at work, I spent 20 minuets creeping up on her in her office when I got close somebody came in to ask her a question and I just stood very very still and neither of them noticed me even though I was in in clear site of both of them learning up against a bookshelf. After he left I scared the out of her.

 

[fjw70]

L

No once you are hidden you are hidden until you unhide or somebody spots you with a passive or active perception roll. I was sneaking up to scare a girl at work, I spent 20 minuets creeping up on her in her office when I got close somebody came in to ask her a question and I just stood very very still and neither of them noticed me even though I was in in clear site of both of them learning up against a bookshelf. After he left I scared the out of her.

You also stop hiding when the enemy can see you since you can't hide from someone that can see you.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

L

You also stop hiding when the enemy can see you since you can't hide from someone that can see you.

So the sniper in this picture is obviously unable to hide because his enemies can, theoretically, see him?

 

[lall]

I think that's where Skulker or the wood elf ability come in. "...if you come out of hiding and approach a creature, it usually sees you." If you are a wood elf or a Skulker in that picture, you haven't "come out of hiding" yet.

 

[iatesand]

Yes you stop hiding when the enemy can see you... you stop hiding when you A) unhide B) have your stealth check roll beaten by a passive or active perception roll. Thats it. there is no wiggle room. You can give the perception roll advantage if you feel it warrants it. But if you are hidden and somebody walks right in front of you, steps over you, sits on your back to tie their shoe... you are still hid if they fail the perception roll to spot you. Hidden is not the same as not seeing you, its them not being sure of your exact location.

In order for the enemy to "see" you , They have to beat your skill check.