Hide in shadows versus hiding behind a solid object

[AxeMental]

HIS is self explainatory, my question relates to allowing PCs to hide behind things like trees or low walls to avoid having to role HIS (for a thief) or even hiding a fighter in full plate behind a tree trunk beside a road to attempt close range ambush. I've seen trees with trunks wide enough to conceal three or four people, so I don't see why this shouldn't be possible (if no oder or sound is detected). Of course the fighter wouldn't know precisely when to jump out of hiding and attack other then relying on sound (very risky) or a spotter. Or is this the sort of thing the game doesn't allow for (where hiding behind a wide tree trunk to surprise is reserved for the likes of thieves/monks/assassins (HIS), elves and halflings etc. with their natural ability to go unseen in woods)?

I know several modules allow for pretty severe close range ambushes by humanoids against a party, just trying to figure out if it can work the other way around, and if so how.
Presently I'll role to see if there's a large enough place to hide in range and if there is, and the party has time to set up, allow the attempt to surprise (I'll first check for wind, noise etc.). Usually a hidden thief or spotter is required to give the call to attack.

[Juju EyeBall]

Line of Sight is pretty straightforward. I might require a check if they are making noise, you could use Move Silently with a bonus for being still in the case of a thief.

Perhaps roll a Saving Throw to keep from itching or sneezing or cutting a fart at an inopportune moment.

[TRP]

If the players give you a reasonable plan, then give them a reasonable chance at success. A bump in their chance to surprise is reasonable.

[Philotomy Jurament]

In my game, if your PC is hidden behind something that blocks sight, then he is hidden. Doesn't matter if you're a Thief or a Fighter or whatever. And any hidden character will enjoy a bonus to surprise, as appropriate to the situation and circumstances.

In my opinion, hiding behind something is definitely NOT a reserved class ability. Anybody can hide. Anybody can sneak around quietly, with proper precautions/actions. It's just that a Thief can hide in shadows that wouldn't normally conceal a man, and can sometimes move not just stealthily, but without making any sound at all, and a Ranger is so used to moving unobtrusively through the wilderness that he always enjoys a bonus to surprise.

[Flambeaux]

In my game, if your PC is hidden behind something that blocks sight, then he is hidden. Doesn't matter if you're a Thief or a Fighter or whatever. And any hidden character will enjoy a bonus to surprise, as appropriate to the situation and circumstances.

In my opinion, hiding behind something is definitely NOT a reserved class ability. Anybody can hide. Anybody can sneak around quietly, with proper precautions/actions. It's just that a Thief can hide in shadows that wouldn't normally conceal a man, and can sometimes move not just stealthily, but without making any sound at all, and a Ranger is so used to moving unobtrusively through the wilderness that he always enjoys a bonus to surprise.

I try to run my games the same way but have trouble communicating this to players, especially those whose primary experience is through video games or more recent versions of D&D.

I'm going to grab this paragraph and throw it into my house rules document, Philotomy, if you don't mind.

[Philotomy Jurament]

I'm going to grab this paragraph and throw it into my house rules document, Philotomy, if you don't mind.

No, I don't mind. Feel free.

[francisca]

In my game, if your PC is hidden behind something that blocks sight, then he is hidden. Doesn't matter if you're a Thief or a Fighter or whatever. And any hidden character will enjoy a bonus to surprise, as appropriate to the situation and circumstances.

In my opinion, hiding behind something is definitely NOT a reserved class ability. Anybody can hide. Anybody can sneak around quietly, with proper precautions/actions. It's just that a Thief can hide in shadows that wouldn't normally conceal a man, and can sometimes move not just stealthily, but without making any sound at all, and a Ranger is so used to moving unobtrusively through the wilderness that he always enjoys a bonus to surprise.

What he said.

[T. Foster]

More agreement with PJ. "Hide behind something" isn't a class-specific skill - assuming there's something to hide behind (which to some extent is on the player to inquire about) anyone can do that, and will likely get a bonus to surprise. "Hide in shadows" is what applies when there isn't anything to hide behind but you're still trying to hide.