2025-09-17 16:41
🎯 Ready, Hide, and Search Actions (D&D 5e)
⚔️ The Ready Action
Definition:
The Ready action lets you prepare to take an action or move when a specific trigger happens. You declare:
1️⃣ What action you’ll take (or movement you’ll use).
2️⃣ What condition will trigger it.
Key Rules:
⏱️ Uses your reaction when the trigger occurs.
✨ If you ready a spell, you cast it and hold concentration until the trigger. If it doesn’t trigger before your next turn → spell fizzles (slot lost).
🗺️ Action happens from your current position. You don’t get to “pop out of cover” unless you specifically readied movement.
🏃 You can ready movement (e.g., “I’ll move when the ogre comes closer”).
Strategic Notes:
⚔️ Martial classes with Extra Attack usually gain more value attacking immediately rather than waiting.
🛡️ Readying Dodge or Disengage is rarely efficient.
🎭 Best for timed tactics (ambushes, interrupting spells, coordinating with allies).
🕵️ Stealth, Hide, and Search
👀 Concealment States
👤 Seen – Enemies know where you are.
🕶️ Unseen – They don’t know your exact location.
🕵️ Hidden – They don’t know you’re there or where you are.
🕶️ Hide Action
When you take the Hide action:
🎲 Roll Dex (Stealth) vs. enemy Passive Perception (or active Perception if searching).
✅ Success → you’re hidden (unseen + unheard).
🎯 Attacks from hidden give advantage.
Rules to Remember:
🚫 You can’t hide in plain sight. Cover, darkness, or distraction required.
💥 Attacking usually reveals you (unless you have features like Skulker).
👥 Groups can attempt group stealth. Pass without Trace boosts the whole party.
😲 Surprise
Hidden when combat starts + enemy unaware → you may surprise them.
😱 Surprised creatures can’t move, act, or react on their first turn.
🧭 Being hidden ≠ automatic surprise. DM decides based on awareness.
🔍 Search Action
Spend your action to Search.
DM calls for Wis (Perception) or Int (Investigation) check.
📡 Use to locate hidden enemies (your check vs. their Stealth).
Tactical Note:
- 🗣️ If you find a hidden enemy pre-combat, you can alert allies (verbally or with signals) → gives your party the upper hand.