Stealth in Combat

[bardolph]

Forked from: What the heck does Hidden mean!!

This is my attempt to clarify the rules as written with regards to using Stealth in combat. I believe this is consistent with the original intent of the rules, but the addition of a "Hidden" status makes it easier to determine who can see whom.


FOR ENEMIES THAT CAN COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER

These rules assume that enemies will always warn each other of Hidden opponents.

1. Any action that doesn't include attacking or shouting can be done "stealthily" if the entire action is completed without a clear line of sight from ANY enemy. If any single enemy can see the character without obstruction (cover or concealment), a "stealthy" action cannot be performed.
2. A "stealthy" action requires a Stealth roll, with a DC equal to the HIGHEST Passive Perception score out of ALL enemies with line of sight to the character. If the character is successful, he is considered Hidden. The exact condition is noted as "Hidden X," where X is the check result. If the check fails, the character is not considered Hidden, and is visible to all observers.
3. Any action performed by a Hidden character requires a new Stealth roll to remain hidden, again with a DC = to the highest Passive Perception of all observers. If the Stealth check fails, the character loses Hidden status at the end of the action.
4. All attack actions performed by a Hidden character gain combat advantage, and the character loses Hidden status at the end of the action. Likewise, shouting (a free action) causes the character to lose Hidden status at the end of the action.
5. If a new observer enters the scene with a higher Passive Perception score than the Stealth check result, then the Hidden creature immediately loses Hidden status.
6. OPTIONAL HOUSE RULE: I would rule that it is impossible to perform any "stealthy" action while adjacent to an aware opponent, unless the character is already Hidden.

FOR ENEMIES THAT CANNOT (OR WILL NOT) COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER

• If enemies are not able to warn each other about Hidden opponents (perhaps because they are Hidden themselves, are unable to speak, or are unable to understand the communications of their allies), you can have a situation where you are Hidden from some opponents, but visible to others.
• The rules work exactly the same, except that the DC is instead the highest Passive Perception score of communicating observers, or a flat 10 if there are no communicating observers.
• A success is indicated as "Hidden X," where X is the check result. HOWEVER: any character with a Passive Perception score that is higher than X notices the character, can target the character, and does not grant Combat Advantage to the Hidden character.

SEARCHING

An observer can actively search for Hidden opponents as a standard action. This is an active Perception check against the stealth check of the Hidden opponent. If the observer succeeds, the opponent is no longer Hidden to the observer, and if the observer is able to communicate to his allies, the opponent loses the Hidden status altogether.


One more house rule...

I think I would rule that an absolute minimum score of 15 is required to qualify for Hidden status. This might discourage plate-toting Paladins from rolling Stealth just because they can.