Stealth: Out in the open

[MrFix]

Does Stealth explicitly require cover, or does it cover movement techniques that allow one to not be seen out in the open?

For example:

A Recon Commando is trying to cross a field on watch by snipers. He's a trained stealth expert and thus elects to move across the field slowly, under cover of darkness, using his knowledge of human vision to minimize the chance of sniper's eyes catching onto him.

The snipers receive huge penalties for darkness (Let's say -3 for moonlit night), for his stance (let's say -2 for crouching) and for range (-15 for 700yd).

Is it a stealth vs perception QC or simple perception roll on the part of snipers?

[Icelander]

Stealth.

Quite possibly aided by Camouflage, especially if your Recon Marine has prepared a ghillie suit or an improvised alternative and has time to stop every time he has reason to believe someone is looking in his direction.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by MrFix

Does Stealth explicitly require cover, or does it cover movement techniques that allow one to not be seen out in the open?

For example:

A Recon Commando is trying to cross a field on watch by snipers. He's a trained stealth expert and thus elects to move across the field slowly, under cover of darkness, using his knowledge of human vision to minimize the chance of sniper's eyes catching onto him.

The snipers receive huge penalties for darkness (Let's say -3 for moonlit night), for his stance (let's say -2 for crouching) and for range (-15 for 700yd).

Is it a stealth vs perception QC or simple perception roll on the part of snipers?

If you're serious about stealth (though at that distance at night you probably don't need to be), you'll be prone. A crouching person still looks like a person, and people are fairly good at spotting person-shaped objects. A prone person trying to not be seen isn't very person-shaped.

[cdru]

It should be noted that a sniper could reduce the effective range for purpose of penalties, as they'll be looking through a scope or binoculars. As for the question - yes, I'd call it Stealth vs Perception/Observation

[thrash]

Originally Posted by MrFix

The snipers receive huge penalties for darkness (Let's say -3 for moonlit night), for his stance (let's say -2 for crouching) and for range (-15 for 700yd).

A human figure in a field, even crouching, should get the +10 modifier for being in plain sight before any penalties for range or lighting. You really can't miss seeing that. The figure would need to be prone or below the level of standing crops before that would go away.

[dcarson]

Taking extra time should also count. I've read of snipers and such taking hours to cross 100 yards of open ground by moving only one limb at a time with a pause after each and waiting for gusts of wind to cover movement.

[Anthony]

Stealth is not a supernatural ability that lets you stand in plain sight without being seen, but it does include techniques for minimizing the chances of being seen (how, when, and where you move), so it would help crossing, though the GM might limit how much it can do or give it modifiers.