[johndallman]

Camouflage is the IQ/Easy ability to conceal things and people from sight, using equipment. It defaults to Survival, presumably for the current environment. To see past Camouflage, the opponent must succeed in a Quick Contest of Vision or Observation against Camouflage - and range penalties apply. Sometimes Camouflage won't hide you completely, but only give an attacker -1 to skill to attack you. It does not improve Stealth, but if you use them together, an opponent who hears you still needs to overcome Camouflage to see you. Camouflaging something large is at a penalty equal to its SM; a bonus of the absolute value of SM could conceivably apply for small objects, but I reckon it depends on circumstances.

Equipment modifiers are very important with this skill, and High-Tech has lots of detail about them on p76-77: note that basic khaki, feldgrau or olive drab uniforms give +1 to Camouflage. A ghillie suit is inconvenient, but gives huge bonuses: a basic +3, and up to +8 for a highly skilled user. It also notes (p203) that you can use Camouflage to conceal traps outdoors, and that sensors can be Camouflaged (p205). Low-Tech adds to this (p126) with details for inappropriate clothing, use of paint, and garments less drastic than the ghillie suit. It also covers camouflage of doors, locks and traps. LTC3 has uses of Camouflage in hunting and trapping. Ultra-Tech has real-time active camouflage systems, bestowing the Chameleon advantage (B41) which does give a bonus to Stealth, plus programmable camouflage systems, which benefit Camouflage skill. Tactical Shooting adds lots of detailed advice on using Camouflage and SEALs in Vietnam has detailed period equipment. Fantasy-Tech 1 has a TL4^ ninja suit.

Camouflage is a basic military skill, but WWII doesn't actually have much to say about it, assuming that the basic idea is well-known. It wasn't universal in European-style armies before the start of the twentieth century, but it was always vital for less formal combat and hunting. Camouflage appears on templates in Action, Banestorm, Dragons, Dungeon Fantasy, Fantasy, Gun-Fu, Horror, Infinite Worlds, Lands Out of Time, Madness Dossier, Martial Arts, Fairbairn Close Combat Systems, Monster Hunters, Psis, Reign Of Steel: Will to Live, SEALs in Vietnam, Space, Supers and Zombies. It also appears on styles in Martial Arts, Yrth Fighting Styles and Tactical Shooting. PU2: Perks, PU3: Talents and PU7: Wildcard Skills have plenty of examples that include or assist Camouflage. There are no spells to boost the skill in Magic, but Conceal will substitute for it, andThaumatology has a Path/Book ritual that boosts this skill.

It seems clear that Camouflage gives static concealment: you don't have to make ongoing skill rolls to use it, provided you don't move. But if you move, Stealth is how you remain unnoticed. It's not clear if Chameleon gives automatic success at Camouflage, but I'd feel tempted to give it twice the bonus it gives to Stealth, which would mean that someone with Chameleon 3 and default Camouflage would be rolling at IQ+8, for close to automatic success.

Have you done something amazing with Camouflage in a game? Has it been more than a necessary skill for "we wait here and then ambush them?"