PF2e Perception & Stealth

Flow of Control Reference — Player Core

Stealth Actions Flow

From the stealther’s perspective — how detection states change based on actions you take

Observed
Hidden
Undetected
Unnoticed
Action / Roll
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Key Rules

  • HIDE only rolls against creatures that are currently observing you. If a creature already considers you hidden or undetected, you simply retain that condition — HIDE does not improve your state from undetected.
  • SNEAK requires cover or concealment at both the start and end of your movement. You move up to half your Speed.
  • Taking any non-unobtrusive action while hidden immediately makes you Observed.
  • A Strike from a hidden or undetected position makes you Observed after the attack (target now knows your location).
  • An Invisible creature that critically fails a Sneak roll becomes Hidden rather than Observed, since it cannot be seen.
  • AVOID NOTICE (Exploration): Roll Stealth to start an encounter Hidden or Undetected rather than Observed.

Detection & Targeting Flow

From the detector’s perspective — how to determine a creature’s condition and what you can do about it

Observed
Hidden
Undetected
Unnoticed
Action / Roll
Decision
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Targeting Summary

  • Observed: Attack normally. If also concealed, attempt a DC 5 flat check before rolling — fail means no effect.
  • Hidden: Attempt a DC 11 flat check before rolling. On a fail, your actions (and spell slots, resources) are wasted. You remain off-guard to the creature regardless.
  • Undetected: Declare a square to attack. The GM secretly rolls both the flat check and your attack roll. The GM will not say whether you missed due to the flat check, the attack roll, or choosing the wrong square.
  • Unnoticed: You cannot target the creature directly. Area effects still work normally against undetected creatures.
  • Invisible creature starts as Hidden if you were already observing it when it turned invisible (you last know where it was). It can then Sneak to become Undetected.
  • Off-guard: When a creature is hidden or undetected from you, you are off-guard to it — you take a −2 circumstance penalty to your AC against its attacks. The hidden/undetected creature is not automatically off-guard to you.