Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cricket_God 05-20-07, 11:27 PM	Well, one of my players recently purchased a continuous collar of umbral metamorphosis, granting him the dark creature template, and in a recent game there was some rules confusion when he escaped a grapple, moved a few feet away, and attempted to hide. The issue wasn't wether or not he could attempt it, but rather what penalties he would be taking to his hide check for hiding in mid combat. In this situation, I rules that he received a -20 penalty because this action was similar to hiding after sniping (a roll that replaced an attack roll had been made and then he tried to hide). That incident was resolved, but I want to be prepared next time he begins to hide during combat. Obviously some of the penalties/bonuses I impose will have to be made up on the spot based on the situation. However, what kind of modifiers should I use for trying to hide in plain sight in the middle of combat? Any help is appreciated. (interesting side note: the dark creature's hide in plain sight rules in the Tome of Magic state that the creature can hide while being observed, but not that it can hide without cover)
Nom 05-20-07, 11:41 PM	There are several Hide in plain sight abilities. They all allow you to attempt to Hide while observed, assuming you have cover all concealment. The shadowdancer version additionally allows you to count as having cover or concealment if you're within 10 ft. of shadow. Normally, hiding is done as part of movement. So, if he is (1) moving (or could be) at half speed or less (2) has cover or concealment and (3) has HiPS then he can attempt a hide check with no penalty. Faster movement will apply a penalty. Lack of any movemenet, cover or concealement, or HiPS will prevent him from hiding if observed.