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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jester David" data-source="post: 6618947" data-attributes="member: 37579">The catch with rules is that it's really easy to be sucked down the "what if" hole. Creatures that have cover can make Stealth checks to hide.But... what if they're just using the same cover again and again. The Solid Snake box in the otherwise featureless room. Well, in that case they can't make Stealth checks.But... what if they dash from cover to cover and then make a Stealth check?Well, then they'd make that check with disadvantage.But... what if they distracted their opponent? Such as with a Bluff check? Well, then if they succeeded on the ability contest they could make a Stealth check with advantage, or cancel out the penalty for re-hiding.But... what if they readied to move an hide when the creature is being attacked by an ally and thus distracted? Well, they might still have advantage on their check to hide.But... what if the creature doesn't have eyes and senses movement through tremors in the ground? They still have cover but can still hide. I imagine the cover wouldn't work then.But... what if the creature used its hearing and not its sight? Perception is just a single skill but covers both listening and spotting. So the creature listens for the attack and motion, and thus negates the cover?I guess that would work. but...But what about shadows and light? If the source of light is to the side creatures could see the hidden creature's shadow and know they're there. I suppose, but...Oh, what if the rogue readies to distract with Bluff when the creature is attacked by an ally?Umm....A game will NEVER be able to cover all the situations and corner cases. Stealth hasn't worked well in 3.X or 4e or Pathfinder (and they revised it in Pathfinder). And if the rules try to determine things free of DM adjudication you ends up with weirdness. Like in Pathfinder where you're considered "unobserved" so long as you end your turn concealed or behind cover. So you can step out from behind a wall, walk right up passed the fighter in plain sight and stab a dude in their face. And be hidden while doing so.Stealth just has too many variables. It needs a thinking person behind the screen making reasonable calls.</blockquote>

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