Originally Posted by Crimsomrider
The forced non-stealth sections in which you are not allowed to sneak despite not being in any cone of vision really ruin the logic, freedom and joy of interaction with the world.

It started happening since Patch 8 and I'm not sure whether this is a bug due to how illogically inconsistent it is or an intended nerf to stealth in order to actively restrict the player from sneaking, but no matter the reasoning it feels absolutely terrible.

For example a few notable locations;

  • In front of the grove gates sneaking is forbidden so the player cannot avoid the battle.
  • In the camp sneaking is forbidden.
  • In Waukeen's Rest sneaking is forbidden behind the Flaming Fist woman praying for her fallen comrade.
  • In Hag's Lair sneaking is forbidden after passing the living door so now the player cannot sneak by the possessed masked people in order to save them later during the fight with the Hag.
  • Plenty of combat situations as well where I try to stealth to gain an advantage only to automatically un-stealth and lose a bonus action because of some inconsistently illogical stealth blocker


I am nowhere near cones of vision and yet I am forbidden from sneaking.

As for questionable detections, I keep coming across plenty of situations where interacting or stealing items belonging to other NPCs automatically triggers them to investigate and approach you, despite the item interacted or stolen not being in their cone of vision.

Prior to Patch 8 NPCs would only investigate theft if they physically look and notice an item gone from its location. But now they have a magical sixth sense that instantly alerts them of a theft and points them straight at you, even if their backs are turned.

A few notable examples:

  • Abdirak the follower of Loviatar in Ruined Temple Of Selune automatically investigates a theft if you touch his book (which has to be read in order to open up dialogue about more advanced techniques)
  • Nettie in Druid's Grove not only immediately senses a theft behind her back, but also instantly accuses you about theft.
  • Rugan instantly knows if you interact with the Zhentarim chest even if you are not physically seen doing it.


There's so many other instances where I came across this issue, which makes me wonder what is going on with stealth since Patch 8? It's so inconsistently terrible.

Originally Posted by chriseggroll
Kagha comes to investigate when lockpicking her chest even though it's not only inside a secondary room but behind a stone wall. Doesn't ever catch me but she walks right up to my character usually after reading her letters.

I noticed the issue with sneaking in the hag’s lair and reported it to Larian support who confirmed it was a known bug, so certainly not all the changes are intended (if any are). I’ve not noticed other locations where there’s no vision cone but a hiding roll, but possibly I’ve just not tried hiding in those other exact places.

It’s interesting that people had problems stealing from Abdirak, Nettie and Kagha. I’ve definitely done all these things in patch 8 and they haven’t called me on it. But I have noticed getting challenged more so something has clearly changed. I wondered if committing a crime when other party members are within visible range of an NPC might be the trigger, as it’s often someone in my party other than the person I’ve had sneaking who is accosted. I’ve not tested this thoroughly though.

"You may call it 'nonsense' if you like, but I've heard nonsense, compared with which that would be as sensible as a dictionary!"