[RPG] What type of action is hiding in plain sight

dnd-3.5esneak-attackstealth

In the PHB it says that hiding takes no action and usually is performed as part of a move action. However if I'm playing a rogue/ranger or rogue/shadowdancer and I have the hide in plain sight ability what are the limitations as to what that can be combined with? For example if I'm mid-battle with shadows within 10 ft. can I hide and then full attack dealing sneak attack damage? Or would hiding be a move action and I would only be able to attack once? If I am able to full attack after hiding would I have to hide after each attack or would one in the beginning be sufficient?

Best Answer

No, you don't need to spend a move action to hide, and you can hide as part of a full attack.

First. The rules say movement is the usual method of activation:

Action

Usually none. Normally, you make a Hide check as part of movement

But that's not a necessity. That's because we also have the following rule:

Check

Your Hide check is opposed by the Spot check of anyone who might see you. You can move up to one-half your normal speed and hide at no penalty. When moving at a speed greater than one-half but less than your normal speed, you take a -5 penalty. It’s practically impossible (-20 penalty) to hide while attacking, running or charging.

So, hide while attacking all you want, you just take a teensy tiny -20 penalty on your check.

As for Hide in Plain Sight and actions, all HiPS does is change the conditions under which you can hide. While Supernatural abilities are activated as a standard action unless otherwise noted (and HiPS is a Supernatural ability), HiPS is generally understood to be a "passive" modification to the character's abilities, not requiring specific activation. I'd compare it to the Paladin's Divine Grace when it comes to this.

TL;DR version: HiPS inherits the actions from normal hiding, and hiding can be done as part of the action of attacking.

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