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Is Hiding an Action in D&D? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, in most cases, hiding is an action in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e). When you take the Hide action, you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check, contested by the passive Wisdom (Perception) of any creatures that might notice you. Successfully hiding can provide a significant advantage in combat or during exploration, allowing you to set up ambushes, avoid encounters, or simply reposition yourself unseen. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, most notably for Rogues at level 2 and certain races like Goblins, who can hide as a bonus action. Understanding the intricacies of the Hide action is crucial for any D&D player looking to master stealth and tactical gameplay.

Understanding the Hide Action

Mechanics of Hiding

The Hide action isn’t simply about disappearing into thin air. Several factors come into play:

Cover and Concealment: You generally need some form of cover or obscurement to even attempt to hide. This could be a dense forest, a dark alleyway, a large piece of furniture, or even heavy rain. The DM ultimately determines whether the environment provides sufficient cover for you to hide.
Stealth Check: When you take the Hide action, you roll a Dexterity (Stealth) check. The result of this check is compared against the passive Perception scores of any creatures that could potentially see you. If your Stealth check is higher than a creature’s passive Perception, they don’t automatically spot you.
Staying Hidden: Maintaining your hidden status requires more than just a successful Stealth check. You need to avoid making noise, casting spells with obvious visual or auditory components, or moving into direct line of sight of a creature with a higher Perception score than your Stealth check.

Unseen Attackers and Targets

The primary benefit of successfully hiding is the advantage it provides in combat. According to the “Unseen Attackers and Targets” section in the Player’s Handbook:

Any attack roll against you has disadvantage if the attacker can’t see you.
You have advantage on attack rolls against any creature that can’t see you.

This means that hiding can significantly increase your chances of hitting enemies while simultaneously making it harder for them to hit you.

When Hiding Fails

Even with a high Stealth skill, your attempt to hide can fail. Common reasons include:

Low Stealth Roll: A low roll on your Dexterity (Stealth) check might not be enough to beat the Perception of nearby creatures.
Insufficient Cover: The DM might rule that the cover you’re using is inadequate for hiding.
Making Noise: Loud noises, such as heavy footsteps or clanging armor, can alert enemies to your presence.
Direct Line of Sight: Moving into a creature’s direct line of sight will immediately break your hidden status.

Exceptions to the Rule

Rogues: Master of Stealth

At 2nd level, Rogues gain the Cunning Action feature, which allows them to take a bonus action on each of their turns in combat. One of the options available through Cunning Action is the Hide action. This is a game-changer for Rogues, enabling them to hide more frequently and capitalize on the advantages of being unseen.

Goblins: Nimble Escape

Goblins also possess a racial trait called Nimble Escape, which allows them to take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of their turns. This makes them incredibly slippery and difficult to pin down in combat.

Advanced Hiding Tactics

Using Illusions

Illusions can be a powerful tool for creating opportunities to hide. A well-placed illusionary wall or fog cloud can provide the necessary cover or concealment for you to attempt a Hide action.

Combining Hiding with Other Actions

While hiding generally takes your action (or bonus action, if you’re a Rogue or Goblin), you can often combine it with other actions or movement. For example, you might move behind cover and then use your action to Hide. Or, if you have the Skulker feat, you can try to hide even when lightly obscured.

The Skulker Feat

The Skulker feat enhances your ability to hide by granting you the following benefits:

You can try to hide even when you are only lightly obscured from the creature from which you are hiding.
When you are hidden from a creature and miss it with a ranged weapon attack, making the attack doesn’t reveal your position.
Dim light doesn’t impose disadvantage on your Wisdom (Perception) checks relying on sight.

This feat makes you a much more effective hider, especially in environments with limited cover.

DM Discretion

Ultimately, the specifics of how the Hide action works in your game are up to the DM’s interpretation. DMs have the final say on whether a particular environment provides sufficient cover, how difficult it is to hide, and what the consequences are for failing to hide.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hiding in D&D

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Hide action in D&D, providing further clarification and guidance:

Does total cover automatically mean I’m hidden? No. Total cover means you can’t be directly targeted by attacks or effects, but it doesn’t automatically make you hidden. You still need to take the Hide action and succeed on a Stealth check.
Can I hide in plain sight? Generally, no. You need some form of cover or concealment to attempt to hide. The DM might make exceptions for specific character abilities or spells.
What happens if I attack after hiding? Attacking typically reveals your position, negating any advantage you had from being hidden. However, some abilities or feats may allow you to remain hidden even after attacking.
How does hiding interact with darkvision? Darkvision allows creatures to see in dim light and darkness, but it doesn’t negate the need for a Stealth check. A creature with darkvision might have disadvantage on Perception checks in darkness, making it easier to hide.
Can I use the Hide action while invisible? Yes. Invisibility provides a significant advantage on Stealth checks, but it doesn’t automatically make you hidden. Taking the Hide action allows you to avoid detection even if your invisibility fails.
If I’m hidden, do enemies know my general location? Typically, no. If you are successfully hidden, enemies don’t know your exact location, but they might have a general idea based on sounds or other clues.
How does the Alert feat affect hiding? The Alert feat gives you a +5 bonus to initiative and prevents you from being surprised while you are conscious. It does not directly affect the Hide action, but it can help you act quickly if you’re discovered.
Can I hide underwater? Yes, but the DM may impose disadvantage on your Stealth check due to the difficulties of moving and remaining silent underwater.
Does heavy armor affect my ability to hide? Yes. Wearing heavy armor typically imposes disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks unless you have a specific ability or feat that negates this penalty.
How do spells like Fog Cloud interact with hiding? Fog Cloud creates a heavily obscured area, providing excellent cover for hiding. Creatures within the fog have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Can I hide from creatures that are blind? Yes, but the DM may require you to make a different type of check, such as a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to move silently, rather than a Stealth check.
What happens if multiple creatures are trying to find me? You compare your Stealth check against the passive Perception of each creature separately. Some creatures might spot you, while others remain unaware of your presence.
Can I re-hide during combat? Yes, as long as you have an action (or bonus action, if you’re a Rogue or Goblin) and sufficient cover or concealment.
Does the DM roll my Stealth check in secret? Some DMs prefer to roll Stealth checks in secret to avoid metagaming. This is a matter of DM preference.
How does the Pass Without Trace spell affect the Hide action? The Pass Without Trace spell grants a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks, making it significantly easier to hide. This spell is invaluable for parties that rely on stealth.

Understanding the Hide action and its nuances is essential for any D&D player who wants to excel at stealth and tactical combat. By mastering the mechanics of hiding, you can gain a significant advantage in your adventures.

Is hiding an action in D&D?