Shadow Dragon Hiding

[thedanster7000]

Can a Shadow Dragon hide in dim light?

In the MM description it says that it can hide as a bonus action in dim light or darkness, so you'd assume that it could hide in dim light.

In the PHB hiding rules it says that you can't hide from a creature that can see you clearly, but since you can technically see in dim light, does dim light count as being able to "see it clearly"?

So if it can't hide in dim light if something's looking at it, what's the point of it getting it as a bonus action?

[SharkForce]

as a general rule, you cannot hide in dim light.

shadow dragons have a special rule that allows them to do so, much like the skulker feat (unlike the skulker feat, the shadow dragon ability also allows it as a bonus action).

[thedanster7000]

as a general rule, you cannot hide in dim light.

shadow dragons have a special rule that allows them to do so, much like the skulker feat (unlike the skulker feat, the shadow dragon ability also allows it as a bonus action).

Thanks! :smallbiggrin:

[rollingForInit]

Can a Shadow Dragon hide in dim light?

In the MM description it says that it can hide as a bonus action in dim light or darkness, so you'd assume that it could hide in dim light.

In the PHB hiding rules it says that you can't hide from a creature that can see you clearly, but since you can technically see in dim light, does dim light count as being able to "see it clearly"?

So if it can't hide in dim light if something's looking at it, what's the point of it getting it as a bonus action?

This is a case of "specific rules override general rules".

General rule: you cannot hide if you are seen clearly, which you are in dim light.
More specific rule: Shadow Dragons can hid in dim light.

The more specific rule is the one to go with. That's virtually always the case. If two rules are in conflict, the more specific rule is the one you should follow.

[E’Tallitnics]

Can a Shadow Dragon hide in dim light?

In the MM description it says that it can hide as a bonus action in dim light or darkness, so you'd assume that it could hide in dim light.

In the PHB hiding rules it says that you can't hide from a creature that can see you clearly, but since you can technically see in dim light, does dim light count as being able to "see it clearly"?

So if it can't hide in dim light if something's looking at it, what's the point of it getting it as a bonus action?

This plays to the various types of Vision & Light 5e has, so let’s start at the bottom and work our way up:


Darkness: You’re effectively under the ‘blind’ condition and cannot see anything around you.

See page 290 of the Player’s Handbook.


Darkvision (Magic): Turns Darkness into Dim Light within a specified radius.

In Dim Light you have Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks (-5 to Passive Perception).
You can only see in shades of gray.
This doesn’t alter naturally occurring Dim Light past the specified radius.
This doesn’t alter naturally occurring Darkness past the specified radius.
This doesn’t alter magically occurring Darkness within the specified radius.


Darkvision (Racial): Turns Darkness into Dim Light within a specified radius, and turns Dim Light into Bright Light within that same radius.

The same five sub-bullets above still apply.



Hello Mr. Dragon! The dragon can still hide, but because my Darkvision (Racial) turns that Dim Light into Bright Light I can see him because for me he’s now trying to “hide in plain sight”.


Devil’s Sight (Warlock Invocation): Turns Darkness into Bright Light within a specified radius.

You can see in full color within the specified radius.
You can see in both naturally occurring and magical Darkness.
This doesn’t alter naturally occurring Dim Light within the specified radius.
In Dim Light you have Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks (-5 to Passive Perception).



That’s it as far as Vision & Light go for 5e.