| Steven Wright 31 |
My comments are not aimed at the above poster but as general point to the thread as a whole.
I think something that is not being considered here is the use of the perception skill as well. A shadow dancer uses their spring attack in conjunction with HiPS to continually sneak attack every round if possible. That's the whole strategy with that class, at least that's how I see it.
Now, if someone wants to determine if the shadow dancer is hidden well enough on their turn so that they may attack them, they just roll a perception check against the HiPS check. If it beats it, then the stealth is no good anyway.
Also, there are ways to take away the HiPS ability and hamper a shadow dancer. Remember, they need shadow to use their ability so if the room becomes lit up like the fourth of July then they can't use it at all.
As for arguing the point about becoming unstealthed or not when you move, that's pretty absurd from my point of view. Isn't that what rogues do? Hide then leap out at you and take you by surprise (you know, denying you your dex bonus to AC because you didn't see them)? Scout ahead in the dark while staying hidden? Stealth does not go away once you move. It has never been that way and won't be that way. What is the point of the darn skill then if that is the case?
As for needing cover or concealment, shadow is concealment. Its in the rules. There is a 20% miss chance when fighting in dimly lit areas due to concealment. Also, what if the rogue is dressed in camouflage to blend in with their surroundings? Ever see "Rambo" where he is caked in mud and just standing there with his back flat to the terrain? All he had to do was open his eyes and shank that soldier from behind. He was not hiding behind anything. He used stealth to kill that guy. I interpret stealth to incorporate the use of those skills in my games.
To each their own though. If your players accept your rulings and are happy playing your games then there is no need to debate who is right or wrong here.