What can and can't a level 4 rogue do? (Hide Skill) [Archive] - Wizards Community

What can and can't a level 4 rogue do? (Hide Skill) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Celas Evriamytholin
11-08-07, 09:48 PM Fellow gamers, I turn to you once again for advice.

I am currently DMing a level 4 campaign, with the exception of the level 4 rogue/1 swashbuckler.

With skill points, items and racial bonuses, I think his pluses to hide and move silently range around the +15 region.

The other day, the combat map gave the rogue the option of running around a corner OUT of a room full of monsters where a battle was raging, and go out of sight.

http://myminiaturesite.altervista.org/immagini/Tiles%20and%20Maps/Map-Drow-Enclave.gif

This is the link to the map we were using. We were indeed playing Fane of the Drow :).

His question to me was: Can I move out of sight (into another room) of the monsters, hide, and come back out during the next round? If I do that, are they considered Flat-Footed, which would allow me to sneak attack them? Do I get minuses? Since we're in battle, am I considered under observation?

I just told him he couldn't do it for then, unless he took -2 on his roll, and I'd look it up later.

Please shine some light on this.

Here's the definition from the SRD:
Hide (Dex; Armor Check Penalty)
Check
Your Hide check is opposed by the Spot check of anyone who might see you. You can move up to one-half your normal speed and hide at no penalty. When moving at a speed greater than one-half but less than your normal speed, you take a -5 penalty. It’s practically impossible (-20 penalty) to hide while attacking, running or charging.

A creature larger or smaller than Medium takes a size bonus or penalty on Hide checks depending on its size category: Fine +16, Diminutive +12, Tiny +8, Small +4, Large -4, Huge -8, Gargantuan -12, Colossal -16.

You need cover or concealment in order to attempt a Hide check. Total cover or total concealment usually (but not always; see Special, below) obviates the need for a Hide check, since nothing can see you anyway.

If people are observing you, even casually, you can’t hide. You can run around a corner or behind cover so that you’re out of sight and then hide, but the others then know at least where you went.

If your observers are momentarily distracted (such as by a Bluff check; see below), though, you can attempt to hide. While the others turn their attention from you, you can attempt a Hide check if you can get to a hiding place of some kind. (As a general guideline, the hiding place has to be within 1 foot per rank you have in Hide.) This check, however, is made at a -10 penalty because you have to move fast.

Sniping
If you’ve already successfully hidden at least 10 feet from your target, you can make one ranged attack, then immediately hide again. You take a -20 penalty on your Hide check to conceal yourself after the shot.

Creating a Diversion to Hide
You can use Bluff to help you hide. A successful Bluff check can give you the momentary diversion you need to attempt a Hide check while people are aware of you.

See also: epic usages of Hide.

Action
Usually none. Normally, you make a Hide check as part of movement, so it doesn’t take a separate action. However, hiding immediately after a ranged attack (see Sniping, above) is a move action.

Special
If you are invisible, you gain a +40 bonus on Hide checks if you are immobile, or a +20 bonus on Hide checks if you’re moving.

If you have the Stealthy feat, you get a +2 bonus on Hide checks.

A 13th-level ranger can attempt a Hide check in any sort of natural terrain, even if it doesn’t grant cover or concealment. A 17th-level ranger can do this even while being observed.
LSMFT
11-09-07, 10:42 AM Can I move out of sight (into another room) of the monsters, hide, Yes. You can move out of the room. As no one is able to observe you at that time, you can hide.
and come back out during the next round?Sure you can.

If I do that, are they considered Flat-Footed, which would allow me to sneak attack them?Is this the middle of a combat? No. They are acting and the fact that a "new" opponent has arrived doesn't change that.

Now, if you were able to keep hiding as you reentered the room, provided there was some cover or concealment option and you beat the Spot checks, you would make an attack as unseen, and get the benefits of such an attack including Sneak Attack. It would be a single attack, though the rules for sniping could be used.

Since we're in battle, am I considered under observation?When you went out of the room, you were no longer observed, and can hide. You can move back into the room and remain hidden, as long as there is something to hide in or behind.

I might, maybe, impose some penalties depending on the circumstances, but I'm more likely to impose penalties on the spotters for being distracted.
Celas Evriamytholin
11-09-07, 12:31 PM Thank you. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Celas Evriamytholin 11-08-07, 09:48 PM	Fellow gamers, I turn to you once again for advice. I am currently DMing a level 4 campaign, with the exception of the level 4 rogue/1 swashbuckler. With skill points, items and racial bonuses, I think his pluses to hide and move silently range around the +15 region. The other day, the combat map gave the rogue the option of running around a corner OUT of a room full of monsters where a battle was raging, and go out of sight. http://myminiaturesite.altervista.org/immagini/Tiles%20and%20Maps/Map-Drow-Enclave.gif This is the link to the map we were using. We were indeed playing Fane of the Drow :). His question to me was: Can I move out of sight (into another room) of the monsters, hide, and come back out during the next round? If I do that, are they considered Flat-Footed, which would allow me to sneak attack them? Do I get minuses? Since we're in battle, am I considered under observation? I just told him he couldn't do it for then, unless he took -2 on his roll, and I'd look it up later. Please shine some light on this. Here's the definition from the SRD: Hide (Dex; Armor Check Penalty) Check Your Hide check is opposed by the Spot check of anyone who might see you. You can move up to one-half your normal speed and hide at no penalty. When moving at a speed greater than one-half but less than your normal speed, you take a -5 penalty. It’s practically impossible (-20 penalty) to hide while attacking, running or charging. A creature larger or smaller than Medium takes a size bonus or penalty on Hide checks depending on its size category: Fine +16, Diminutive +12, Tiny +8, Small +4, Large -4, Huge -8, Gargantuan -12, Colossal -16. You need cover or concealment in order to attempt a Hide check. Total cover or total concealment usually (but not always; see Special, below) obviates the need for a Hide check, since nothing can see you anyway. If people are observing you, even casually, you can’t hide. You can run around a corner or behind cover so that you’re out of sight and then hide, but the others then know at least where you went. If your observers are momentarily distracted (such as by a Bluff check; see below), though, you can attempt to hide. While the others turn their attention from you, you can attempt a Hide check if you can get to a hiding place of some kind. (As a general guideline, the hiding place has to be within 1 foot per rank you have in Hide.) This check, however, is made at a -10 penalty because you have to move fast. Sniping If you’ve already successfully hidden at least 10 feet from your target, you can make one ranged attack, then immediately hide again. You take a -20 penalty on your Hide check to conceal yourself after the shot. Creating a Diversion to Hide You can use Bluff to help you hide. A successful Bluff check can give you the momentary diversion you need to attempt a Hide check while people are aware of you. See also: epic usages of Hide. Action Usually none. Normally, you make a Hide check as part of movement, so it doesn’t take a separate action. However, hiding immediately after a ranged attack (see Sniping, above) is a move action. Special If you are invisible, you gain a +40 bonus on Hide checks if you are immobile, or a +20 bonus on Hide checks if you’re moving. If you have the Stealthy feat, you get a +2 bonus on Hide checks. A 13th-level ranger can attempt a Hide check in any sort of natural terrain, even if it doesn’t grant cover or concealment. A 17th-level ranger can do this even while being observed.
LSMFT 11-09-07, 10:42 AM	Can I move out of sight (into another room) of the monsters, hide, Yes. You can move out of the room. As no one is able to observe you at that time, you can hide. and come back out during the next round?Sure you can. If I do that, are they considered Flat-Footed, which would allow me to sneak attack them?Is this the middle of a combat? No. They are acting and the fact that a "new" opponent has arrived doesn't change that. Now, if you were able to keep hiding as you reentered the room, provided there was some cover or concealment option and you beat the Spot checks, you would make an attack as unseen, and get the benefits of such an attack including Sneak Attack. It would be a single attack, though the rules for sniping could be used. Since we're in battle, am I considered under observation?When you went out of the room, you were no longer observed, and can hide. You can move back into the room and remain hidden, as long as there is something to hide in or behind. I might, maybe, impose some penalties depending on the circumstances, but I'm more likely to impose penalties on the spotters for being distracted.
Celas Evriamytholin 11-09-07, 12:31 PM	Thank you. :)