Why does Dexterity help you hide?

[MerakSpielman]

Besides, what would you use otherwise?

Intelligence or wisdom.

But Dex really seems best.

 

[tarchon]

You side-step photons.

 

[Aaron L]

Dexterity includes reaction time. When hiding you are moving out of the sight of whoever is looking for you, possibly ducking out of view just in the nick of time, possibly continuing to creep just out of sight of the searcher. Dexterity is perfectly logical and fitting, it's all reaction and timing.

 

[Li Shenron]

Just an idle question. But if Dexterity helps you move, wouldn't you not want to use it if you plan to hide?

In 3ed, you normally use the Hide skill to get out of sight rather than to remain hidden, and that's why using Hide is normally part of movement. If you instead hid before someone was there to see you, and the Hide check is rolled against the Spot check of a later observer, you can still imagine that the more agile you are the more likely you assumed a well-hidden position behind your cover or inside your concealement.
At the end, it's much easier that every skill only has one single key ability and Dex is probably the one which fits best. Every skill in general could work better if the character is smart and perceptive, but that would add some party subjective complication...

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Perhaps the designers didn't like the idea of wizards being good at hiding. No armour + high int and all?

 

[Wormwood]

So Rogues would be best at it.

 

[Bran Blackbyrd]

So Rogues would be best at it.

LOL
Wise answers and simple answers are often one and the same.

 

[hong]

You side-step photons.

No, no, you avoid collapsing the wave function.

 

[diaglo]

No, no, you avoid collapsing the wave function.

so if you get seasick does that mean you have a low Dex?

 

[rbingham2000]

so if you get seasick does that mean you have a low Dex?

No, that would be more the product of a low Constitution than a low Dexterity.