Stealth Action Visual FX

[ScruffyMcSmirkalot]

Right...
 
So I've been mulling this over for a while, but...
 
Recently came up in an OOC conversation with another character about if they were stealthing or not.
 
The problem with Stealth as it is in NWN is you can't tell easily if someone is actively stealthing or not. Sure, if you only "Hear" them, they're partially see-through. But if you Spot them, they look just like any other PC. This is a bit confusing in certain situations.
 
In a recent encounter, where I was reminded that the ruling on Stealth isn't that it's an in-game representation of the player actively doing "Stealthy Stuff" to hide behind bushes, cover, blend in with a crowd, etc... but is actually a magical ability similar to "Predator" (Sidnote: Despite attempts, I cannot find this epic topic where this ruling was made, if you can, please link. Alternatively, a seperate, concise, easilly accessible ruling on this would also be appreciated. thank you). I think that brings an even more need for some minor, rarely used Visual FX to denote that the player is using this ability.
 
The fact is, many stealthy PCs just walk stealth throughout the Ziggurat, especially at night. When you go and try to speak or interact with them, people look at you funny because they didn't drop any ranks in spot or listen, and as such, only see you conversing with yourself. This would of course lead to situations where you point that the person is right there, and they don't see them. And then, you realize that you're looking at a person with high stealth ranks that's just standing in broad, open area.
 
Hence, if we had a visual FX that isn't really all that used, we can have it applied to PCs when they're using their "Stealth Magical Predator-like Ability", just to signify for the spotting/listening player that this person is using that ability, rather than simply roaming about normally.
 
Thoughts?

[putrid_plum]

If you see them, you see them.  If you hear them, you only hear them.  I don't see what the point of adding something when it's clear as it is now.

[lovethesuit]

I know this is unrelated, but I've found this a funny detail about stealth: If you attack a stealthed creature, say, a Jungle Panther, that you hear but don't spot (that is, see-through), when it attacks you back it will still get its Sneak Attack.

[Caster13]

That makes sense because you're basically taking a wild swing at a noise you hear in some general direction but not an actual object you can clearly identify.

[Egon the Monkey]

If someone's stealthing, he's making an effort to remain unseen. A stealthed person walking past you would be ICly sticking close to walls, trying to hide in cover and generally acting in an unusual manner that a spotting PC would notice. An unstealthed PC would just be taking a stroll.

Many times, I've sent OOC tells to players asking "is your PC stealthing" when I've seen known stealth PCs lurking about. For example, if a PC is stealthing about in a private area, you might assume they're up to no good. If they are standing there undisguised and visible, you might not. You can discern the difference by hearing them, but not seeing them.

[ScottyB]

To the contrary, I seem to recall us saying that stealth is quasi-magical due to the way the engine handles it.

There's no nice way to apply and remove VFX when stealth mode is toggled, either, so this suggestion is not practically feasible.

[Luke Danger]

Shame, it would of been nice.

[ScruffyMcSmirkalot]

ScottyB: Yes, what is "quasi-magical" anyway? The Predator quote was from Howland, if I recall... however I'm having trouble finding this ruling. Perhaps a new ruling should be issued?
 
And if such is truely not feasible, then that's a pity. Thank you though for your input. Unless any other devs have thoughts of houw it would be feasible.

[Kotenku]

As I recall, Howland said it in IRC, some several months ago. Unfortunately my logs only reach back to July 26th, 2009, so I haven't got the quote at hand.

[putrid_plum]

The ruling is clear, it is obvious, it's been this way ever since efu was out and also coa, both which have run for years.  I am really not sure what is so hard to grasp here?!

[Capricious]

What Scruffy is asking, people, is if some way can be created to indicate that the character is stealthing, since they appear to be either standing or walking normally by the NWN engine. I don't see this as complaining, or moaning about the way stealth works.

Personally, if this could be done without putting a blaring sign over said stealthing PC (because a clever character can stand in a place where, even if technically detected, they won't be so much noticed) then I see the suggestion as a reasonable one. However, from what I know of NWN, I don't think it's exactly possible.

[Elytherin Dragonius]

alright i guess this mostly affects elves so hows this then, in many cases skub will miss an elf that is simply "walking" elves having no detect mode have to use their stealth version just to walk when they arnt trying to be all stealthy, perhaps a simple token to toggle a speed reduction for elves to be able to walk around normally, i understand elves are naturally stealthy but being naturally stealthy doesnt meen they cant walk around normally    

Every other race can walk in detect mode, so if you this item comes to play then you are considered as trying to be stealthy intentionally if your walking in stealth mode and  charactors can respond with alarm surprise caution or suspect something is not right with a stealthed char what ever the rp demands

That way the standard ip establishedand there ip no need to be concerned about some one thinking that some one ip sneaking when they are just out for a stroll

[Elytherin Dragonius]

(typing on my phone here hence the new post in stead of editing)

I miss understood the query,

Is it possible to assign a green name to some one that is stealthed (like party members were back before the partyless system) im not sure if its enable or not

A char that ip actively trying to hide would indeed try to stick to walls and shadowor and actually hide but if they were spotted it is obvious that they were actively trying to hide and can be reacted to accordingly

[BigBadThief]

I'd rather it were just left as it is. Someone sneaking around should make emotes casually perhaps when they enter and leave the 'mode' but outside of that I think it works just fine and as well as possible in a computer game.

[Winston Martin]