Avoiding Tremorsense?

[DarkLord Of DForce]

Can it be done, other than using a Wizard utility like "Float"?

For example, lets say a monster has Tremorsense 5, and I move into that range. Lets say that I've met the prereqs for Stealthing on this move (or better yet, the move before so I was stealthed before moving into the Tremorsense 5 area). On the last square I stop in, as a free action, I reach out with both my Hammers, and tap the ground in the next square over, twice to simulate my last 2 steps.

Does the monster still know where I'm at, or does it think I'm in the next square now?

If the DM ruling is that I can't reach the next square, and I do the 2 tap in the same square I'm in, but as far as I can reach in my own square, does the monster then know what square I'm in, but gets the -5 from Stealth, since it doesn't know exactly where I'm at in that square?

Thanks, I was just really curious about this scenario, and since I know there are a lot of DMs here...

 

[Aulirophile]

He knows exactly where you are. Can't Stealth against Tremorsense without flying. There's also a magic consumable the specifically beats it IIRC.

 

[Aegeri]

For example, lets say a monster has Tremorsense 5, and I move into that range. Lets say that I've met the prereqs for Stealthing on this move (or better yet, the move before so I was stealthed before moving into the Tremorsense 5 area). On the last square I stop in, as a free action, I reach out with both my Hammers, and tap the ground in the next square over, twice to simulate my last 2 steps.

No, it's like vision - he knows where you are and that you haven't left the square within his tremorsense. Tremorsense is easy to visualize if you look at how insects or arachnids in real life use it. A beetle on the desert sand is like an elephant rampaging through a jungle to a scorpion - even if the beetle doesn't make any audible sound to us whatsoever. Once you've moved into the tremorsense range of the creature, he knows everything about you just like normal vision if you're on the same surface. Hitting the ground would do absolutely nothing - because it can still feel all the vibrations you are making from where you're currently standing. It's not going to be fooled by that at all.

Mechanically, the simplest way around tremorsense is the Dark Sun scorpion armor. IIRC, this prevents creatures with tremorsense from perceiving you with that sense. Otherwise tremorsense is pretty much a directly hard counter to stealth and you need flight to deal with it.

 

[DarkLord Of DForce]

Ah, okay - so the "tremor" in Tremorsense has absolutely nothing to do with the ability. I just assumed that it did - like the things in the movie "Tremors".

I assumed that they were picking up the vibrations as I moved. I'm having a little difficulty perceiving how they sense vibrations from *non*movement, but if thats the way it works then thats the way it works.

Thanks guys!

 

[Aegeri]

No, this is how tremorsense is defined:

A creature that has tremorsense can clearly see creatures or objects within a specified radius, even if they are invisible, obscured, or outside line of effect, but both they and the creature must be in contact with the ground or the same substance, such as water or a web. The creature otherwise relies on its other senses.

Basically they always know you're there. It's important to realize that just because you aren't moving doesn't mean you aren't sending out constant vibrations. If you go to a spiders web and put pressure on it, the spider knows where you are putting pressure on it (even if you aren't actively jiggling the web). It's smart enough to know what is going on and react appropriately. There is the world of difference between a creature moving and just hitting the ground as well - one of these would make a considerable bang compared to the other for a tremorsensing monster.

 

[frankthedm]

I assumed that they were picking up the vibrations as I moved. I'm having a little difficulty perceiving how they sense vibrations from *non*movement,

Most living beings have built in moving parts that don't stop until the being in question stops living.

 

[Mummolus]

I could see an argument being made for a repeated, rhythmic pounding on the ground disrupting tremorsense (perhaps providing concealment or some such) within a certain radius, along the lines of the "thumpers" in Dune. Would presumably work better against non-sentient creatures than against those smart enough to understand what was happening, though.

 

[kristoaster]

Tenser's Floating Disc! Sorted.

 

[cpendlet]

Ah, okay - so the "tremor" in Tremorsense has absolutely nothing to do with the ability. I just assumed that it did - like the things in the movie "Tremors".

I assumed that they were picking up the vibrations as I moved. I'm having a little difficulty perceiving how they sense vibrations from *non*movement, but if thats the way it works then thats the way it works.

Thanks guys!

You are still breathing/heart is beating. Both of these are going to cause very minor motion/vibration. Also any motion of your body is going to shift your center of gravity and this will cause shifts in how much weight is on each foot even if you are not moving your feet.

If you are familiar with Avatar: The last Airbender, think of Toph (blind earth bender).

 

[triqui]

Most living beings have built in moving parts that don't stop until the being in question stops living.

Ussually named "hearts"