Stealth and Perception
Overview
A player or critter's Perception is simply the maximum distance, measured in feet, at which it can detect hostile targets. For players, it also affects the maximum distance at which targeted powers can be used against that enemy. Critters aren't limited this way. Once a critter becomes aggressive toward something, its AI remains aware of that target's exact location and can chase and attack it regardless of perception until it reverts to peaceful.
The Stealth of a target reduces the radius at which an enemy can see the target, making it possible for up-close sneak attacks. The Stalker archetype often relies on attacking from Hide, which is an alternate form of stealth unique to the Stalker archetype.
- Example: Normally, if Character stood 20 feet from a Troll, he would need a perception radius of 20 feet to notice she was there. If Character had a stealth radius of 35 feet, he would need a perception radius of 55 feet to detect her.
If Character has as much stealth as, or more stealth than, the perception of the enemy, Character will be invisible no matter how close she gets.
Everything has some amount of perception to begin with. The exact amount varies greatly:
- Minion, pet, Mastermind henchmen (all tiers): 45
- Lieutenant: 50
- Boss, Elite Boss, Archvillain/Hero: 54
- Turret, Giant Monster: 100
- Sniper: 149
- Player: 500
Nothing has any stealth radius inherently. It must be granted by powers.
Notice that players have much higher perception than critters do. Because of this, all stealth powers have two values, one that applies to critters and one that applies to other players.
Ignoring Stealth
Snipers, like all enemies, will attack a character as soon as they can see the character (also called their "aggro radius") - if the character has no stealth, this means from 149 feet away instead of the standard 45 feet. This is due to their extra perception radius. They do not ignore stealth, they simply can see farther, canceling out some of the stealth radius a character may have.
Many players believe Rikti Drones and Rularuu Sentries have extra perception, like Snipers do. However, unlike other enemies with increased perception (such as Snipers, Vanguard Sword, and enemies under the effect of a power like Tactics), Drones and Sentries do not have an enlarged aggro radius. Drones and Sentries will wait until a character is at normal aggro radius (45 feet), meaning they do not have higher than normal perception.
Many Stalkers have found difficulty running to the end of a Rikti mission without being shot by Drones. Drones and Sentries don't care how much stealth a character may have; they still attack from normal range. Players testing aggro and stealth mechanics have loaded themselves up with as much stealth as is allowed in the game, approached a Sentry, and are still attacked at 45 feet. Rikti Drones and Rularuu Sentries ignore stealth. This does make some sense for alien machines built with sophisticated scanners, and for otherworldly eyeball monsters, but it may seem confusing for players unfamiliar with this fact.
Attacking Stealthy Opponents
Stealthy opponents can be affected by powers even when they can't be detected. They simply can't be targeted. PBAoE powers can hit enemies if they're in the area, as can AoEs that are aimed at a spot on the ground. Targeted and cone AoEs can also hit hidden targets if aimed at visible ones close to them. A character can not assist a teammate that can see stealthy foes.
Powers that Utilize Stealth
Perception Powers
Here is an example listing of the perception bonuses or penalties granted by various powers. Note that Tactics applies its bonus to everyone on the team within line of sight and range. At least some powers that give perception bonuses vary their bonuses depending on character level. This listing is not necessarily complete.
| Power Name | Percentage Modifier | Absolute Modifier |
|---|---|---|
| Tactics (bonus increases at higher levels, and varies with different ATs) | +28.28% – +86.5% | +141.4 – +432.5 |
| Primary, secondary, and ancillary power pool perception toggles, such as: Focused Senses, Cloak of Darkness, Danger Sense, Glacial Armor, Targeting Drone, Focused Accuracy | +60% | +300 |
| Rectified Reticle: Increased Perception, a unique To Hit Buff set crafted enhancement | +20% | +100 |
| Smoke available to Controllers and Dominators; Flash Arrow for Defenders, Masterminds, Corruptors, and Controllers; Smoke Grenade available to Blasters and Arachnos Widows; Blinding Powder available to Stalkers | -90% | -450 |
The perception bonus from Tactics varies depending on the level and archetype of the character using it. See the Leadership Power Pool page for more details.
Stealth Powers
Here is an example listing of the stealth granted by various powers. This listing is not necessarily complete.
| Power Grouping | Example Powers | PvP Stealth | PvE Stealth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase Shift | 250 | 25 | |
| Minor Stealth |
|
250 | 25 |
| Weak Stealth | 300 | 30 | |
| PvE-Only Stealth | 0 | 35 | |
| Normal Stealth | 389 | 35 | |
| Better Stealth | 400 | 40 | |
| Excellent Stealth * | 500 | 50 | |
| Invisibility † | 611 | 55 | |
| Group Invisibility † | 667 | 60 | |
| Shadowy Presence † | 5,000 | 100 | |
| Hide ‡ |
|
500 | 150 |
| Superior Invisibility ‡ | 1,000 | 200 |
NOTE: Although Superior Invisibility provides 1000 feet of PvP stealth, the power is only available to Controllers, and the Controller PvP stealth cap is 571.5. While the extra 428.5 feet can act as a buffer to -Stealth powers such as Arctic Air, it would require 13 stacks of Arctic Air to go below a Controller's stealth cap.
Stacking Stealth
All stealth powers stack with one exception: Toggle powers whose primary purpose is stealth.
So, for example, if a character has Stealth from the Concealment Power Pool toggled on, and then toggle on Shadow Fall, then Concealment's Stealth will automatically toggle off. This is because both powers have a main focus of granting stealth radius.
This does not include powers which have a bonus stealth component, such as Super Speed or a a Stealth IO. So, for example, if a character has Concealment's Stealth toggled on (35 feet of Stealth in PvE) and then turns on Super Speed (35 feet) and turns on Sprint with a Stealth IO slotted into it (30 feet), then all three will remain on, for 100 feet of total stealth radius.
Maximums and Minimums
See the article on Limits to for more information about maximum and minimum values for stealth and perception.