When can rogues hide?

When Can Rogues Hide?

Rogues are known for their stealth and ability to blend into the shadows, but when can they actually hide? In this article, we’ll explore the rules and mechanics surrounding rogue hiding in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition.

When Can Rogues Hide?

Rogues can hide in combat if they are not in a situation where they are being actively attacked or targeted. According to the Player’s Handbook (PHB 96), a rogue can make a bonus action to Dash, Disengage, or Hide. Only if they are in combat can they use the Hide action. This means that if a rogue is not in combat, they cannot hide.

Hiding in Combat

When a rogue is in combat, they can use their bonus action to Hide. However, there are some conditions that must be met for this to be successful. The rogue must be heavy obscured from the enemy, meaning that the enemy cannot see them. This can be achieved by being behind a wall, in a crowd, or in a position where the enemy is unable to see them.

Stealth Check

If the rogue is not heavy obscured, they will need to make a Stealth Check to see if they can hide. The Stealth Check is a Dexterity (Stealth) check made against the enemy’s Perception score. The rogue’s Stealth Check result must be equal to or greater than the enemy’s Perception score for them to successfully hide.

Hiding and Attacking

If a rogue is hiding, they can still attack their enemies. However, if they attack, they will break their stealth and become visible to the enemy. This means that the rogue will no longer be able to hide and will need to use other abilities or tactics to avoid being detected.

Rogue-Specific Abilities

Some rogue-specific abilities can affect their ability to hide. For example, the Sneak Attack ability allows a rogue to deal extra damage when attacking a surprised or distracted enemy. However, if the rogue is not hidden, they will not be able to use Sneak Attack.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rogues can hide in combat if they are heavy obscured or make a successful Stealth Check. However, if they attack, they will break their stealth and become visible to the enemy. It’s important for rogues to use their abilities strategically and take advantage of opportunities to hide and surprise their enemies.

Additional Tips

• Use your environment: Rogues can use their surroundings to their advantage when hiding. Look for places where you can hide, such as behind walls or in crowds.
• Keep quiet: Noise can give away a rogue’s position, so try to keep quiet when hiding.
• Use your senses: Rogues have keen senses, so use them to your advantage when hiding. Listen for sounds and look for visual cues that might give away an enemy’s position.
• Stay mobile: Rogues are agile and can move quickly, so use this to your advantage when hiding. Move quickly and quietly to get into position and stay there.

Table: Stealth Check

Note: This table is a general guideline and can be adjusted based on the specific situation and the DM’s discretion.