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Is "Pass without Trace" overpowered? (europe.pub)
submitted 4 months ago by to c/dndnext@ttrpg.network
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Is it just me, or is the "Pass without Trace" spell widely overpowered?

I mean, D&D 5E is generally constructed in a way that even small bonuses to rolls make a huge difference. Proficiency bonuses start with +2 and rise to a maximum of +6, while magical weapons give a maximum of +3.

So what in Avernus possessed the designers to allow a second-level spell to give a whooping +10 to Dexterity (Stealth) checks? For a group, no less (as long as they stick close to each other)? This is going to be extremely hard for guards and lookouts to match.

A Khajiit (cat person) in the Skyrim video game sneaking through a corridor.
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[–] 21 points 4 months ago (6 children)

Note https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/sae/players-handbook-2014#Hiding

Hiding (p. 177)

The following sentence has been added to the beginning of this section: “The DM decides when circumstances are appropriate for hiding.”

The first sentence of the second paragraph now begins, “You can’t hide from a creature that can see you clearly …”

So, for overland travel when you don't want to be tracked, yes, super OP.

For sneaking past a guard on a watch tower a couple dozen feet away and you can break line of sight or it's night? Maybe, possibly, probably.

For sneaking past a guard sitting in a chair in an empty hallway looking straight at the route you want to take? Nope, you're not even allowed to roll for it, so the bonus doesn't matter.

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  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    for overland travel when you don't want to be tracked, yes, super OP.

    I mean it's a second level spell that only lasts for an hour. A dedicated tracker NPC, could still find some way to sus out where the party has gone, albeit with a disadvantage.

    Now the staff of the druids or whatever that magic item is that allows for unlimited pass without trace that's almost OP for overland travel, but hey that's why the BBEG has scrying.

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  • [–] 4 points 4 months ago

    Yeah there's plenty of other ways to follow them, but you can't track them by prints they left.

    OP is indeed a little overstated, it's a strong spell but with a very niche application, so all by all perfectly fine.

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  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    For sneaking past a guard sitting in a chair in an empty hallway looking straight at the route you want to take? Nope, you’re not even allowed to roll for it, so the bonus doesn’t matter.

    What if I'm wearing camouflage pants and, like, trying really hard to be sneaky, tho? Tiptoes and everything. Should at least give me a chance to hit that natural 20.

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