Stealth (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)
Definition
Stealth is not being noticed: quiet movement, useful cover, patience, and the judgment to know when standing perfectly still beats crossing the room. It also covers following someone without burning the tail, which is a different discipline from hiding and just as often what the scene needs. For Kindred it is a feeding skill before it is a combat one. Almost every predator type that does not rely on charm relies on approach, and a hunt that starts with a failed Stealth roll turns into a chase, a struggle, and a witness. It is also how a coterie survives being outmatched, which in this game is most of the time.
How it works
Tips
Frequently asked questions
Does Obfuscate make Stealth pointless?
No. Obfuscate can fail against Auspex or break when you act, and it costs Rouse Checks. Stealth is free, always available, and what you fall back on when the Discipline drops.
Can I hide in an empty room?
Only if the room offers something to hide behind or a reason for nobody to look. Storytellers should say no to a Stealth roll with no cover, rather than let dice fix geometry.
Is Stealth needed for feeding?
For most predator types, yes. Sandman and Alleycat both depend on getting close before the vessel reacts, and a blown approach turns a quiet feeding into an incident.