If a character with HiPS is viewed as a non-hostile, could they use a Stealth check to snipe without being noticed as having attacked?
If a character with HiPS is viewed as a non-hostile, could they use a Stealth check to snipe without being noticed as having attacked?
Action
Usually 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.
Being Observed If people are observing you using any of their senses (but typically sight), you can’t use Stealth. Against most creatures, finding cover or concealment allows you to use Stealth. If your observers are momentarily distracted (such as by a Bluff check), you can attempt to use Stealth. While the others turn their attention from you, you can attempt a Stealth check if you can get to an unobserved place of some kind. This check, however, is made at a –10 penalty because you have to move fast.
Barring some other type of ability, I would say that in order to "snipe" you would first have to be considered to be "stealthing." Make the attack and (if you are qualified as HiPS based on your ability) you can make your plain-sight sniping stealth check at -20.
Is there any rule that prevents you from making the attack as a normal ranged (or even melee attack) and then using HiPS to make a normal stealth check?
HiPS lets you stealth while being observed, so yeah, you can snipe using it.
The question is whether you can be observed but have your attack be stealthed through the combination of HiPS and snipe.
The question is whether you can be observed but have your attack be stealthed through the combination of HiPS and snipe.
HiPS allows you to make stealth checks while being observed.
If you use stealth and beat their Perception, they treat you as having Total Concealment. You can then make your attack and then make another stealth check.
If you are not using stealth, then you don't have total concealment. So, you would make your attack and everyone who could see you would see you do it. You aren't "stealthed." RAW, you would not be able to make a "snipe" stealth check, because you weren't previously "stealthing." However, using HiPS, you can just make a normal stealth check after at no penalty.
If a character with HiPS is viewed as a non-hostile, could they use a Stealth check to snipe without being noticed as having attacked?
I am assuming that you and your target are both in plain sight and you are not using stealth mode yet. In that case, no. You attack, turn hostile, and then you can use stealth to go hide behind cover/concealment while being observed.
Hide in plain sight removes the "If people are observing you using any of their senses (but typically sight), you can't use Stealth" sentence. It doesn't remove the need of finding cover/concealment.
You can check the rogue talents or ask in the Advice forums if there are options that lets you do the trick.
If a character with HiPS is viewed as a non-hostile, could they use a Stealth check to snipe without being noticed as having attacked?I am assuming that you and your target are both in plain sight and you are not using stealth mode yet. In that case, no. You attack, turn hostile, and then you can use stealth to go hide behind cover/concealment while being observed.
Hide in plain sight removes the "If people are observing you using any of their senses (but typically sight), you can't use Stealth" sentence. It doesn't remove the need of finding cover/concealment.
You can check the rogue talents or ask in the Advice forums if there are options that lets you do the trick.
The rules requiring cover/concealment are part of the "being observed" section of stealth. Why would HiPS, which allows you to stealth while being observed, not remove that requirement? The whole purpose of the cover / concealment is so that you are no longer considered "observed." (with sight.)
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Perhaps the OP is looking for something like the spell Illusion of Calm - that with a good bluff skill check might be able to pull this off.
Shoot the target - then duck you head and look behind you, like the missile came past you to hit them. Even say something like "where the heck...?" After all, they saw you NOT throwing anything at them, so they know it must not have been you right?
