Can a Rogue Hide After Attacking? A Deep Dive into Stealth Mechanics
The short answer is: yes, a rogue can hide after attacking, but not automatically. It’s not a simple “I attack, therefore I’m hidden” scenario. It requires a good understanding of the rules governing stealth and how they interact with combat. The rogue’s ability to weave in and out of the shadows is a hallmark of the class, but successful use of this tactic depends on specific conditions being met. Let’s explore the details and nuances of hiding after an attack.
The Core Mechanics of Hiding
The Stealth Check
Before we delve into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand the basics of the Hide action in D&D 5e. When a character attempts to hide, they must make a Dexterity (Stealth) check. This check is then contested by the Wisdom (Perception) checks of any creature that might notice them. If the rogue’s stealth check beats a creature’s perception, the rogue is considered hidden from that creature.
When Hiding is Possible
The critical rule to remember is that you can’t hide if a creature can clearly see you. You need some form of cover or concealment to make hiding possible. This could be anything from being behind a tree or a wall to being in a darkened room. The Dungeon Master (DM) makes the final call on whether the environment provides enough opportunity to hide.
The Impact of Attacking
Here’s where things get interesting: making an attack breaks stealth. As soon as you attack, your location is revealed. Your attack draws attention, whether it hits or misses. Any creature with a line of sight to you will know where you are immediately after the attack. This means that the next steps after an attack is crucial for the rogue.
How Rogues Can Hide After an Attack
Rogues have a unique advantage: their Cunning Action feature, which allows them to use a bonus action to take specific actions including Hide. This ability is vital for rogues looking to dart in, strike, and then disappear again. However, even with Cunning Action, the rogue still needs to meet the requirements for hiding. Here’s the process:
- Attack: The rogue makes an attack. This reveals their location.
- Disengage (if necessary): If the rogue is in melee range with the enemy, they might need to use a bonus action to Disengage to avoid attacks of opportunity as they retreat. Cunning Action also allows for a bonus action Disengage.
- Find Cover: The rogue needs to move into a position where they have cover or concealment. This must happen after the attack but before the hide attempt.
- Use a Bonus Action to Hide: The rogue must use the Hide action as a bonus action from Cunning Action. They make a Stealth check contested by the Perception of enemies in the vicinity.
The Importance of the Environment
The environment plays a massive role in the rogue’s success. A rogue standing in the middle of an open field with no obstructions is going to struggle to hide, even if they use Cunning Action. A shadowy alleyway, a patch of thick bushes, or even a low wall all provide the concealment required for a rogue to attempt to hide effectively. It is vital that the rogue can move to an area of concealment before attempting to hide.
Breaking and Maintaining Stealth
It’s important to remember that while hidden, certain actions can reveal your position. Making another attack will once again reveal you. Coming out of hiding and moving in plain view will also break stealth. Loud noises, such as yelling, or making a lot of noise when attempting to move will break stealth. If the rogue takes damage, stealth is broken.
The Sneak Attack Connection
A huge reason why rogues want to hide is for their Sneak Attack ability. To gain the benefit of Sneak Attack, a rogue’s attack must be made with advantage, which the rogue is given if the enemy cannot see them. Successfully hiding and then attacking gives the rogue that much sought after edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs to help solidify your understanding of how rogues and hiding interact in 5e:
Can a rogue hide as a bonus action?
Yes, rogues can use their Cunning Action feature to take the Hide action as a bonus action at level 2.
Does a rogue have to disengage before hiding?
Not necessarily, but often disengaging is helpful if the rogue is in melee range of an enemy as they move to find cover, otherwise they are subject to attacks of opportunity. If a rogue is already in cover, a disengage might not be needed.
If I use the hide action, am I automatically hidden?
No. Using the Hide action requires a successful Dexterity (Stealth) check contested by the Perception of nearby creatures. Even if you use your bonus action to attempt the hide action, you may still be spotted by other creatures.
Do rogues get advantage on attacks when hidden?
Yes, if an attack is made from a hidden position, the attack has advantage on the attack roll. This is key for activating the rogue’s Sneak Attack.
Does attacking break stealth?
Yes. As soon as you make an attack, your position is revealed, and any creature with line of sight will know where you are.
Can I move while hidden?
Yes, you can move while hidden, but as soon as you move out of your area of concealment, or make yourself visible, your stealth is broken. If a creature is actively searching for you (actively using their Perception skill) while you are moving, your stealth is more likely to break.
Can a rogue hide behind a light object?
The DM decides if an object provides enough cover or concealment. A thin sheet or a small crate might not be enough; however, a large barrel might be ample.
Can a rogue hide in plain sight?
No. If there’s nowhere to hide, and you are in plain sight, you can’t use the Hide action, regardless of your Stealth skill. You need a place to hide to make this action possible.
Can a rogue hide from a creature with blindsight?
No, unless magic is involved. Blindsight allows a creature to sense its surroundings without sight, making it impossible to hide from them normally if you are in its radius.
Does darkness automatically make a rogue hidden?
No. While darkness can be advantageous, you still need to make a successful Stealth check. Creatures can still see or hear you even in the dark, and a Stealth roll will still be contested by enemy perception.
Does the rogue’s skill in stealth alone dictate success?
While the rogue’s Stealth skill is vital, the environment and surrounding conditions, and perception checks made by other creatures, ultimately dictate success. A high stealth skill increases your chances of hiding effectively.
Does being prone provide cover and thus allow a rogue to hide?
Potentially. Being prone alone might not provide cover unless the environment provides it. For example, being prone behind a low wall would provide cover. Again, the DM makes the call.
Can you hide as a reaction?
No, you cannot hide as a reaction. Hiding can be used as an action, or as a bonus action for those with the Cunning Action ability, but never as a reaction.
If my hide action is successful, am I hidden from every creature?
No. Your Stealth check is contested against the Perception score of each creature. You may be hidden from some and not from others.
Can a rogue hide and attack on the same turn?
Yes! By using Cunning Action, a rogue can use a bonus action to hide and then can attack using their action. If they have movement available they can, in the same turn, move to a concealed location, use cunning action to hide, and then attack a nearby target.
Conclusion
Hiding after attacking is a core strategy for the rogue, but it’s a complex interaction of rules and environmental factors. Rogues must be strategic in their movement and usage of their Cunning Action if they wish to successfully attack then disappear into the shadows once more. A solid understanding of stealth rules, cover, and the abilities of both the rogue and their enemies is vital for mastering the art of the sneak attack. While it’s not always straightforward, the rogue’s ability to do so makes it a compelling and fun class to play.