If you are specifically wanting to move, attack, and move again, you are correct that Spring Attack (or similar) would be necessary.
Essentially what you'd have to do is use Bluff to create a diversion, and assuming that it is successful you could move to cover and then re-attempt to stealth (at a penalty); this is mentioned in the description of the Stealth skill.
It's also not terribly fleshed-out, so the type of action required to create a diversion isn't mentioned.
From a house-rules perspective: There's a Bard archetype that gets the ability to create a diversion as a swift action, so my thought is that normally it would probably be a move-equivalent at minimum - which means that normally you could not move, attack, move, and create a diversion all in the same round.
What I would probably do is add a Rogue Trick to allow for Fast Diversion, letting you do it as a swift action. Then from a rules perspective, it would be a Bluff check versus their WIS mod or Sense Motive, with the amount by which you beat the target reducing the penalty to the Stealth check to become unobserved again.
Or... you could get a regular method of Greater Invisibility.
It is impossible to use Stealth while attacking, running or charging, with the exception of sniping. This is a requirement of Stealth separate from requiring cover/concealment. That means if you make an attack in a round, you cannot attempt a Stealth check until your next turn. You would need a feat or ability that specifically overruled that Stealth limitation in order to use the skill after attacking, running or charging in a round.
If you're a GM trying to design a creature that can do this, I'd just add a custom Ex ability to it that simulates what you want.
It is impossible to use Stealth while attacking, running or charging, with the exception of sniping. This is a requirement of Stealth separate from requiring cover/concealment. That means if you make an attack in a round, you cannot attempt a Stealth check until your next turn. You would need a feat or ability that specifically overruled that Stealth limitation in order to use the skill after attacking, running or charging in a round.
If you're a GM trying to design a creature that can do this, I'd just add a custom Ex ability to it that simulates what you want.
While you cannot use Stealth while attacking, running, or charging, where are you getting that you cannot use Stealth until your next turn?
While you cannot use Stealth while attacking, running, or charging, where are you getting that you cannot use Stealth until your next turn?
Extrapolated meaning from sniping. If you can make a Stealth check as part of a move action after attacking in a round, why would there be a specific exception allowing Stealth with a -20 penalty as a move action that requires you to make a single ranged attack at least 10 feet away from your opponent?
EDIT: Although I've honestly not seen anyone use stealth in combat in about three years, so am a bit rusty other than skimming the discussions that led to the more recent Stealth update.
While you cannot use Stealth while attacking, running, or charging, where are you getting that you cannot use Stealth until your next turn?Extrapolated meaning from sniping. If you can make a Stealth check as part of a move action after attacking in a round, why would there be a specific exception allowing Stealth with a -20 penalty as a move action that requires you to make a single ranged attack at least 10 feet away from your opponent?
EDIT: Although I've honestly not seen anyone use stealth in combat in about three years, so am a bit rusty other than skimming the discussions that led to the more recent Stealth update.
Hmm. I was under the impression that the sniping Stealth roll did not require a move action, as the Stealth roll was effectively a conclusion of the attack. Note that Stealth itself is not a move action, but a check that is made as part of some other action (usually, but not always, movement).
Stealth in combat comes up a lot for me as a GM, since several published modules have creatures that use it during combat (Feast of Ravenmoor comes to mind).
ActionUsually none. Normally, you make a Stealth check as part of movement, so it doesn't take a separate action. However, using Stealth immediately after a ranged attack (see Sniping, above) is a move action.
Like I said, I'm rusty on it and could be wrong about that. Sniping allows you to remain obscured, as opposed to becoming visible and re-hiding.
Ah, you're right.
How would you simulate in the rules, a combat in which a creature can attack from hiding, hit, and move to hiding again?
I assume some kind of spring attack would be required obviously. But how to keep the creature hidden AFTER the first attack?
There are several classes that offer Hide in Plain Sight or a related ability. Some of them are conditional, such as a favored terrain, in shadows, etc; they would all work to use Stealth again after you have moved away from your target.
Hide in plain sight or some kind of swift action invisibly would probably be what you want. Or as someone else suggested, customize it.
i think you can melee and then restealth.you start your round in melee range (supposedly benefiting from some sort of concealment),attack (standard),move action to get total cover/concealment (e.g turn a corner,enter a fog cloud) and then stealth,with a -5 if you moved more than half your speed.
if you snipe,the enemy does not know where the arrow came from.if you use the tactic exposed above,he will see you turn the corner,will follow you,your cover will blow and he will find you.
also,assume there is mid light and you turn the corner,he follows,you no longer have total cover but you have concelament,which is enough to maintain stealth (not to start it,unless you provide distraction).
this last situation does not bring to you perma hidden,since he can just ready an action to strike you.thing he cannot do if you are sniping.