Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

The debuff radius idea is not doable (if you apply a debuff to someone distance doesn't matter), it would be done as a listen bonus to creatures in that area rather.

I think a lot of people dont realise that HIPS isnt the same as invisible. Its mechanical abuse to walk right up to someones face and wave at them while in HIPs and not be seen. Unfortunately nothing can be done about that.

you cant "Hide" in broad daylight... just as shadow dancers cant "Hips" without a shadow to do so (its a magical ability....)

Wolfrayne wrote:I think a lot of people dont realise that HIPS isnt the same as invisible. Its mechanical abuse to walk right up to someones face and wave at them while in HIPs and not be seen. Unfortunately nothing can be done about that.

you cant "Hide" in broad daylight... just as shadow dancers cant "Hips" without a shadow to do so (its a magical ability....)

The nature of the shadow has never been defined, beyond "not your own."

It's impossible for there to be no shadow in a room, even if the only nearby shadow is cast upon the body of your opponent by their clothing hanging loose.

The point is HIPs allows you to hide.

It doesn't give you a bonus to hide. Standing in front of someones face and Hipsing would have a huge circumstance bonus.

And you should get positive circumstance bonuses if you're behind some cover. But that isn't happening either.

I think if we're going to add the penalties, we should also add the bonuses. Otherwise, we're just being unfair and inconsistent.

... But speaking out loud should flat out break stealth. Nothing more to say about that, to be honest.

I don't think it's really an issue. If someone is doing it and it really bothers you, work it out with the other person. More mechanics seems overkill.

What if one looks at it another way, and that when in HiPS/Hiding, the PC would be forced to only make Whispers, as if WhisperLock was permanently on, until they leave Stealth.

It would not change the mechanics, but at least, tone down the silliness that can be had with talking aloud while trying to remain undetected.

Not to mention the embarrassing situation where someone perhaps *FORGETS* to toggle whisper lock or type "/w" in the chat box, unintentionally outing themselves.

Not that this has ever happened to me or anything....

Actually whisper lock on stealth seems like a good idea. It really is stupid that people can flat out talk while stealthed. Invisible sure.. but hiding is not invisibility. You couldnt stand in front of someone and speak to them while being unseen. it is litterally impossible no matter how skilled you are.

Dagesh wrote:I don't think it's really an issue. If someone is doing it and it really bothers you, work it out with the other person. More mechanics seems overkill.

Agreed. Seems like the issue is overblown here. Why complicate things?

I don't know that its really overblown. Its a decent discussion to have, if you ask me. I do think that there is too much "hey I can HiPS, watch me boast" that goes on, and that's kinda lame RP wise. That, however, can't really be effectively scripted out. Some people will always be stupid. I like how well everyone has interacted, too. Adult debate is good to see!

My opinion: I don't really want whisper lock for stealthers. It isn't necessary in my opinion. I want people to be aware and not abuse the hide ability. That, to me at least, would be the best case scenario

Whisper lock is unnecessary. There are times when a stealthed PC may wish to emote or communicate in DM events, ect. Most people will come out of stealth to talk openly. If someone is abusing it then report it to a DM.

I really feel this is mechanical overcompensation for a minor issue that really should be reported to the DMs so they can deal with problem players.

As for what HIPS does, it is called Hide in Plain Sight for a reason.

I've had highly regarded Players with Big Name characters who are friends with DMs, openly talk and emote towards my character in the full blazing sun in the open air beer garden of Baldur's Gate, while Stealthed in HiPS.

Sometimes, Report to the DMs is not going to change squat (though I wish it would/could).

The "best" of us will abuse the game mechanics—and sometimes RP— when it suits. It has never been different on BGTSCC.

So I personally don't mind seeing a small mechanical limitation imposed in order to prevent arsehattery. That said, I'd also wish people wound not do such blatantly stupid shit.

PMing the DM team as a whole is going to ensure more than bias DMs are seeing it and if there are bias DMs, HDM should know about that as well. I get people make mistakes or are ignorant of what is proper vs improper but failing to take action is only letting the true issue fester, fixing it with mechanical band-aids.

Steve wrote:I've had highly regarded Players with Big Name characters who are friends with DMs, openly talk and emote towards my character in the full blazing sun in the open air beer garden of Baldur's Gate, while Stealthed in HiPS.

Sometimes, Report to the DMs is not going to change squat (though I wish it would/could).

Conspiracy theories like these are best addressed to the Admins and HDMs.