Thief Abilities

   A master of stalking and tracking, the ranger shares the thief's talents for hiding in shadows and moving silently when he is in a natural outdoor setting. As a ranger's level increases, so do his abilities, as shown in Table 8.

Table 8: Base Thief Abilities

Level
Hide in Shadows
Move Silently
1
10%
15%
2
15%
21%
3
20%
27%
4
25%
33%
5
31%
40%
6
37%
47%
7
43%
55%
8
49%
62%
9
56%
70%
10
63%
78%
11
70%
86%
12
77%
94%
13
85%
99%
14
93%
99%
15+
99%
99%

  

The base percentages in Table 8 are modified by the ranger's race, Dexterity score, and armor. Tables 9-11 list these adjustments. Table 12 shows adjustments for the character kits described in Chapter 4. These adjustments reflect the predispositions of various character types for hiding in shadows and moving silently.

   When attempting to hide in shadows, the ranger armor is assumed to cover his armor. Except for leather armor and elven chain mail, which can be concealed by normal clothing, a cloak or equivalent is needed to cover armor.

   If a ranger attempts to move silently or hide in shadows in an indoor or underground setting, his cumulative chance of success is halved. Further considerations and restrictions of a ranger's thief abilities are discussed in Chapter 2.

  Regardless of modifiers, the ranger's chance to hide in shadows or move silently can never be more than 99% or less than zero.

Table 9: Racial Adjustments


Hide in
Move
Race
Shadows
Silently
Human
--
--
Elf
+10%
+5%
Half-elf
+5%
--

Table 10: Dexterity Adjustments


Hide in
Move
Dexterity
Shadows
Silently
13-16
-
-
17
+5%
+5%
18
+10%
+10%
19
+15%
+15%

Table 11: Armor Adjustments


Hide in
Move
Armor
Shadows
Silently
None*
+5%
+10%
Leather
---
---
Padded
-20%
-20%
Studded


Leather
-20%
-20%
Ring Mail
-30%
-40%

  *This includes magical apparel such as cloaks and bracers, but not large or bulky garments.

Table 12: Kit Adjustments


Hide
Move
Kit
in Shadows
Silently
Beastmaster
+5%
---
Explorer
---
---
Falconer
---
---
Feralan
+10%
+10%
Forest Runner
+5%
+5%
Giant Killer
---
---
Greenwood


Ranger
---
-5%
Guardian
---
---
Justifier
+5%
+5%
Mountain Man
-5%
-5%
Pathfinder
---
---
Sea Ranger
N/A
N/A
Seeker
---
---
Stalker
+10%
+10%
Warden
---
---

Optional Rule: Normally, thief abilities are denied to rangers wearing armor heavier than studded leather. However, the DM may decide to override this rule in his campaign, allowing rangers to wear any armor they like and still be able to hide in shadows and move silently. (Also, certain character kits described in Chapter 4 allow rangers to hide in shadows and move silently when wearing armor of AC 6 or less). Table 13 lists adjustments for optional armor.

Table 13: Optional Armor Adjustments


Hide
Move
Armor
in Shadows
Silently
Hide
-20%
-30%
Brigandine
-30%
-40%
Scale Mail
-50%
-60%
Chain Mail
-30%
-40%
Elven Chain
-10%
-10%
Splint Mail
-30%
-40%
Banded
-50%
-60%
Bronze Plate
-75%
-80%
Plate Mail
-75%
-80%
Field Plate
-95%
-95%
Full Plate
-95%
-95%

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