I've been searching for some insight both on these forums and more broadly on the interweb with no luck. I am curious to know what the mechanic might be for hiding behind a moving object. The obvious example is ducking behind a cart and moving with it to keep it between you and who you are hiding from. Or behind a rolling barrel (assuming you are small enough). This feels like Stealth (assuming one Hides successfully), but I'd like some validation (or refutation) of that thinking.
The actual case I'm thinking of is a lightfoot halfling rogue hiding behind (and moving with) his Dragonborn fighter partner while he's walking. This would provide some amount of cover for the halfling in combat, as well as allowing said halfling to use nimbleness to move through the Dragonborn's space to get sneak attack. Would the same mechanic as above apply? Or something else? Or would this even work?
In combat I think RAW this is a no go since turns happen sequentially. Narratively, it makes perfect sense, so ask your DM. Outside of combat, I think it works just fine RAW. Either way it definitely falls under the stealth umbrella.
A rogue wouldn't have a problem with this RAW, just bonus action hide and ready a move to move with the barrel on the initiative when field hazards happen (usually 20, 10, or 0).
When you take your action on your turn, you can take one of the actions presented here, an action you gained from your class or a special feature, or an action that you improvise.
Some people get caught up in only using actions that are printed in black and white. But you can improvise actions if what you're trying to do doesn't neatly or cleanly fall into one of the normal combat actions listed but otherwise makes perfect sense. This is one such example of that. Most/Many/Some DMs (I would for sure) can adjudicate something ad hoc for a situation like that, even in combat.
I'd have you do a half Hide/Ready Improvised action, essentially, where you roll stealth check to hide now and then use your reaction when the cart moves to keep up with it up to your speed.
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I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
The actual case I'm thinking of is a lightfoot halfling rogue hiding behind (and moving with) his Dragonborn fighter partner while he's walking. This would provide some amount of cover for the halfling in combat, as well as allowing said halfling to use nimbleness to move through the Dragonborn's space to get sneak attack. Would the same mechanic as above apply? Or something else? Or would this even work?
I mean, the hiding part is kind of a lightfoot's shtick
Naturally Stealthy
You can attempt to hide even when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you.
In terms of moving while hidden, as pwhimp suggested that doesn't really work in a game where turns are taken sequentially, but putting on my DM hat I'd probably allow the halfling to "hitch a ride" and move with the dragonborn for a turn by hanging onto their backpack or something, although I might also make it trickier to stay hidden the whole time.
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Knowing your player's intent is important and it's kind of our job to see that if the request is reasonable, it happens.
Out of combat, it's no problem. In combat because of turn sequencing, it can be bothersome but I think the way I would do it is have the two-some coordinate. But in order to do so they have to both go on the lower of the two initiatives. i.e. If the dragonborn rolled a 12 and the halfling rolled an 18, they both decide to go on 12 together for the rest of that encounter.
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"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
For me, Hiding involves being stationary. It takes a single check vs. the Passive Perception of the monsters to determine if you've successfully hidden yourself. If you begin to move, then I'd say that requires a Stealth check.
In terms of Hiding behind a moving creature, I'd simply rule that as a No. While I can imagine the Lightfoot Halfling standing stock still behind someone else, I cannot imagine them moving in any way that would obscure them to a reasonable degree. However, if you want to allow it, then I'd say make an additional Stealth vs. Passive Perception check when they move as you have to account for the sound of them moving, which is different to having hidden behind someone out of sight. I would make the stealth check sound oriented only.
I've been searching for some insight both on these forums and more broadly on the interweb with no luck. I am curious to know what the mechanic might be for hiding behind a moving object. The obvious example is ducking behind a cart and moving with it to keep it between you and who you are hiding from. Or behind a rolling barrel (assuming you are small enough). This feels like Stealth (assuming one Hides successfully), but I'd like some validation (or refutation) of that thinking.
The actual case I'm thinking of is a lightfoot halfling rogue hiding behind (and moving with) his Dragonborn fighter partner while he's walking. This would provide some amount of cover for the halfling in combat, as well as allowing said halfling to use nimbleness to move through the Dragonborn's space to get sneak attack. Would the same mechanic as above apply? Or something else? Or would this even work?
In combat I think RAW this is a no go since turns happen sequentially. Narratively, it makes perfect sense, so ask your DM. Outside of combat, I think it works just fine RAW. Either way it definitely falls under the stealth umbrella.
A rogue wouldn't have a problem with this RAW, just bonus action hide and ready a move to move with the barrel on the initiative when field hazards happen (usually 20, 10, or 0).
Some people get caught up in only using actions that are printed in black and white. But you can improvise actions if what you're trying to do doesn't neatly or cleanly fall into one of the normal combat actions listed but otherwise makes perfect sense. This is one such example of that. Most/Many/Some DMs (I would for sure) can adjudicate something ad hoc for a situation like that, even in combat.
I'd have you do a half Hide/Ready Improvised action, essentially, where you roll stealth check to hide now and then use your reaction when the cart moves to keep up with it up to your speed.
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
I mean, the hiding part is kind of a lightfoot's shtick
In terms of moving while hidden, as pwhimp suggested that doesn't really work in a game where turns are taken sequentially, but putting on my DM hat I'd probably allow the halfling to "hitch a ride" and move with the dragonborn for a turn by hanging onto their backpack or something, although I might also make it trickier to stay hidden the whole time.
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I appreciate the quick and helpful responses. All confirmed my thinking, so thanks for being such a validating bunch!
Knowing your player's intent is important and it's kind of our job to see that if the request is reasonable, it happens.
Out of combat, it's no problem. In combat because of turn sequencing, it can be bothersome but I think the way I would do it is have the two-some coordinate. But in order to do so they have to both go on the lower of the two initiatives. i.e. If the dragonborn rolled a 12 and the halfling rolled an 18, they both decide to go on 12 together for the rest of that encounter.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
For me, Hiding involves being stationary. It takes a single check vs. the Passive Perception of the monsters to determine if you've successfully hidden yourself. If you begin to move, then I'd say that requires a Stealth check.
In terms of Hiding behind a moving creature, I'd simply rule that as a No. While I can imagine the Lightfoot Halfling standing stock still behind someone else, I cannot imagine them moving in any way that would obscure them to a reasonable degree. However, if you want to allow it, then I'd say make an additional Stealth vs. Passive Perception check when they move as you have to account for the sound of them moving, which is different to having hidden behind someone out of sight. I would make the stealth check sound oriented only.
or have the halfling wearing boots of elvenkind
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.