Mastering the Shadows: Understanding the Hiding Condition in D&D 5e
The hiding condition in D&D 5e is a crucial aspect of gameplay, allowing characters to move undetected and gain advantages in combat and exploration. Simply put, a character is considered hidden when their location is not readily apparent to others. This usually involves breaking line of sight and successfully making a Dexterity (Stealth) check against the Wisdom (Perception) of any creature that might notice them. Being hidden provides a tactical advantage, allowing for surprise attacks and the ability to bypass dangerous situations. However, it is not a permanent state; certain actions or circumstances can reveal a hidden character. This article aims to delve deep into the mechanics of hiding, its implications, and frequently asked questions to help you master the art of stealth in your D&D campaigns.
The Core Mechanics of Hiding
The act of hiding revolves around a few key elements. Firstly, you must have something to hide behind or some form of obscurement. This could be anything from a large rock or a dense thicket to a darkened room or a heavy fog. Secondly, you must take the Hide action, which expends your action during your turn. This is where the Dexterity (Stealth) check comes in. You roll a d20, add your Dexterity modifier and proficiency bonus (if you are proficient in Stealth), and then record the result.
The Stealth Check and Passive Perception
The result of your Stealth check becomes the target number that other creatures need to beat in order to detect you. Specifically, their Passive Wisdom (Perception) score is used unless they are actively searching for you using their action to make a Wisdom (Perception) check. This means that if your stealth roll was a 15, and a creature’s passive perception is 13, they would not detect you; however, if their passive perception were 16, they would be aware of you despite your efforts to hide. An active perception check would require them to use their action to try and find you and is rolled against your Stealth check number.
Consequences of Hiding
Being hidden is advantageous for several reasons. The primary advantage lies in combat. When you make an attack while hidden, you are considered an unseen attacker, which grants advantage on your attack roll. Advantage means you roll the d20 twice and use the higher result. Furthermore, some classes and subclasses benefit directly from being hidden. For instance, rogues get to use their Sneak Attack damage when attacking a creature they are hidden from. However, there are also limitations to hiding: attacking will reveal your location to a certain degree, though there are exceptions to this.
Breaking the Illusion: When Hiding Ends
While being hidden is beneficial, it is not an impenetrable shield. Several situations will break the hiding condition. Any obvious action such as making a loud noise, or moving into direct line of sight will break concealment. Also, if a creature’s active perception roll beats your stealth check you are no longer considered hidden from them. Additionally, even if a creature’s active search fails, you can lose your hidden status depending on if you make your own mistake. Remember that simply being out of sight does not mean you are automatically hidden; you must be actively hiding and successful in your attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the nuances of the hiding condition in D&D 5e:
1. Can I hide behind another creature?
You can attempt to hide even if you are only obscured by another creature, provided that it is at least one size larger than you. This implies that you will need to move behind the larger creature, breaking line of sight.
2. Does invisibility grant advantage on stealth?
Invisibility does not directly grant advantage on Stealth checks. Instead, it provides the opportunity to attempt to hide at any time, even when a creature is aware of your general location. This is because you are not seen and thus, not an obvious presence.
3. If I am hidden, can I move freely?
Yes, you can move while hidden, but usually not when approaching someone directly in combat or if your movement is extremely loud. Your movements must be covert and silent to maintain your hidden status.
4. Is hiding an action or a bonus action?
Hiding is typically an action. However, rogues can use their Cunning Action feature to hide as a bonus action from level 2. Also, some ranger subclasses at higher levels gain this ability.
5. Does attacking reveal my location when I’m hidden?
Yes. Unless you have features that state otherwise, making an attack while hidden will reveal your location as soon as the attack hits or misses.
6. What is the difference between cover and hiding?
Cover provides a physical barrier that grants benefits against attacks, like increased AC or dexterity saves, but does not hide you. The enemy can still see you are behind it. Hiding is about avoiding detection, making it harder for an opponent to even be aware of your location.
7. How does heavy obscuration affect hiding?
Heavily obscured areas, such as darkness or thick fog, block vision entirely, effectively granting creatures the blinded condition within those areas. It does not automatically mean you are hidden, you must still attempt the hide action, however the level of cover will grant advantage to your stealth roll and disadvantage to those trying to find you.
8. Can I hide in plain sight?
Generally, no. To hide, you need something to break line of sight and provide a degree of obscurement. The DM decides when circumstances are appropriate for hiding.
9. Can a creature make a perception check every turn to find me?
A creature must use its action to actively search for a hidden creature. If a character is not actively looking, the passive perception is used.
10. What is passive perception?
Passive perception is your ability to notice things when you’re not actively looking. It is a static number equal to 10 + your Wisdom modifier + your proficiency bonus (if you are proficient in perception).
11. Do creatures have to make a perception check against my stealth check when I am hidden?
Yes, the creatures’ passive perception, or active perception roll must equal or exceed your stealth check in order for them to detect you.
12. Can a rogue hide every turn?
Mechanically, yes, a rogue can hide every turn if they can break sight from other creatures. This is why rogues are balanced around being able to land their Sneak Attack in most rounds.
13. How do rogues benefit from hiding?
Rogues use the hide action to get the jump on an enemy with an attack, which allows them to trigger their Sneak Attack, and gain advantage on the attack roll.
14. What happens if a hidden creature is surprised?
If a creature is surprised, it cannot take an action or move until after its first turn. However, being surprised is not always caused by hiding, and surprise does not directly grant advantage, but rather unseen attacker status does.
15. If I fail to hide, how long does it take to attempt to hide again?
You can attempt to hide again after having broken line of sight and having found a place where you have some degree of obscurement. You also must take the hide action again.
Conclusion
The hiding condition in D&D 5e is a dynamic and strategic mechanic that, when used effectively, can significantly impact the game. By understanding its core rules, limitations, and the tactical advantages it provides, you can enhance your character’s capabilities both in combat and in exploration. Remember, mastering the art of stealth isn’t just about rolling high on your stealth checks; it’s about careful planning, creative use of the environment, and a keen awareness of the situation. Happy hiding!