Questions about Stealth, Prowling and Shadowmelt

[Quark]

What it the mechanics of "stealth" (in whatever form you get it) and do different forms have any differences? For example, if I prowl, how do that affect monster detection about me? Does it just decrease their detection radius? Is the radius the same but they have a smaller chance to detect me? Is it checked once or every second or something else? Looking at rogues and others with it, they can appear and dissapear at random intervalls, indicating to me it is a regulary checked thing. Does it work the same for monsters? Can any monster detect you or only some? Anything else to add?

When you're stealthed (and undetected), you're essentially invisible. Nothing can see you at all unless they pass a check. Mobs and players have a cone directly in front of them where they can check for stealth. The check is level dependent - it's based on one of the skills that automatically raises by 5 every level. The closer you are, the more likely you are to detect them. The check is on a regular interval, however I have never lost sight of someone while they weren't moving.

Note that since the check is done in a cone, being behind someone is a sure way of not being detected, regardless of the level difference.

How does skills improving it really effect things discussed in the previous question?

They simply raise the skill used in the check. Master of Deception and it's catform counterpart raise the skill by 1 each talent point, I believe. Shadowmeld also adds in a bonus to the skill.

Is there any difference between standing still and walking while in prowl mode? Does it affect chance of detection?

There is no penalty for moving around in my experience, so it's best to keep moving to stay out of the detect radius of others.

How does shadowmelt come into play? The pop up text claims it should work together for rogues and druids, however, once in cat form, I can't activate shadowmelt, at least not while prowling.

Prowling takes precedence over shadowmeld. Shadowmeld has the same detect checks as Prowl, but it doesn't get the bonuses, and you can't move.

If I want to hide, what is best, go into shadowmelt or go into prowl in bear (sic) form? What about with skills improving it?

Prowl, because of the bonuses and being able to move. I noted skill stuff higher up.

How does the prowling of a Druid compare to that of a rogue, I would guess it is worth but can one quantify it somehow, puting some numbers on it or something?

If I had to venture a guess, it would be simply as if the druid were a lower level rogue. I couldn't tell you how much lower level, though.