Need some clarification about Hide in Plain Sight (3.5) - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Need some clarification about Hide in Plain Sight (3.5)

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
daleth
Jan 27, 2010 14:33:12 Wondering mainly if there's some link as to what HIPS can and can't do.
Basically, the way I read the ability, you can hide, as long as not in direct sunlight or daylight spell, anywhere, and you can hide in daylight when there is a shadow large enough to hide in. Now, I may be wrong in this, and feel free to correct me if I am, but I was trying to hide, in a dark poorly lit cavern, and the DM forced me to find concealment behind the Huge-size fighter, because he says HIPS doesn't work without concealment, when I pointed out it specifically says it does, he countered with the idea that because the creatures have darkvision, the HIPS doesn't work without concealment.

Aside from the "DM is always right" bit, is he bending the rules to his liking, or am I just reading the ability wrong?
#2
shadow_viper
Jan 27, 2010 17:42:47 I would tend to agree with your DM, in the case of a creature with darkvision(providing you're in their vision's range), you would still need concealment in order to hide from them.

To solve that problem, I would suggest a Ring of Darkhidden, which can be found in the MIC.
#3
daleth
Jan 28, 2010 12:12:30 That makes sense, and I'm glad to know there is a work around XD.

Thanks for your help, I do however have a follow-up question:

My DM also believes that when you Snipe (-20 to hide after sniping) that your target automatically knows the general area you're in. He says the -20 is because the target sees you, and if you fail your check, he can see you fully, but if you don't fail your second check, he only knows generally where you are.

The reason I don't like this idea is because as a sniper rogue, I don't want to get a single pew off at a wizard, only to have him DEFINITELY know generally where I am, and roast me with a fireball.
#4
shadow_viper
Jan 28, 2010 19:28:25 I would say that an oponent would have to pass a spot check to see/find you(as normal). While there's some situations where someone could know the general location of an enemy sniper, it's not always the case. In my opinion, it's all situational.
#5
deviknyte
May 08, 2010 11:24:23 I have to ask you Daleth, are you Thad?
#6
deviknyte
Jun 18, 2010 15:38:35 I asked if you were Thad because I have a player with this exact situation at my table. Aside from some differences in what I said. He even went for the Ring of Darkvision after someone posted it. Also your start time one the boards coincides.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 daleth Jan 27, 2010 14:33:12	Wondering mainly if there's some link as to what HIPS can and can't do. Basically, the way I read the ability, you can hide, as long as not in direct sunlight or daylight spell, anywhere, and you can hide in daylight when there is a shadow large enough to hide in. Now, I may be wrong in this, and feel free to correct me if I am, but I was trying to hide, in a dark poorly lit cavern, and the DM forced me to find concealment behind the Huge-size fighter, because he says HIPS doesn't work without concealment, when I pointed out it specifically says it does, he countered with the idea that because the creatures have darkvision, the HIPS doesn't work without concealment. Aside from the "DM is always right" bit, is he bending the rules to his liking, or am I just reading the ability wrong?
#2 shadow_viper Jan 27, 2010 17:42:47	I would tend to agree with your DM, in the case of a creature with darkvision(providing you're in their vision's range), you would still need concealment in order to hide from them. To solve that problem, I would suggest a Ring of Darkhidden, which can be found in the MIC.
#3 daleth Jan 28, 2010 12:12:30	That makes sense, and I'm glad to know there is a work around XD. Thanks for your help, I do however have a follow-up question: My DM also believes that when you Snipe (-20 to hide after sniping) that your target automatically knows the general area you're in. He says the -20 is because the target sees you, and if you fail your check, he can see you fully, but if you don't fail your second check, he only knows generally where you are. The reason I don't like this idea is because as a sniper rogue, I don't want to get a single pew off at a wizard, only to have him DEFINITELY know generally where I am, and roast me with a fireball.
#4 shadow_viper Jan 28, 2010 19:28:25	I would say that an oponent would have to pass a spot check to see/find you(as normal). While there's some situations where someone could know the general location of an enemy sniper, it's not always the case. In my opinion, it's all situational.
#5 deviknyte May 08, 2010 11:24:23	I have to ask you Daleth, are you Thad?
#6 deviknyte Jun 18, 2010 15:38:35	I asked if you were Thad because I have a player with this exact situation at my table. Aside from some differences in what I said. He even went for the Ring of Darkvision after someone posted it. Also your start time one the boards coincides.