Stealth (mechanic)
- For the rogue ability, see
[Stealth].
Stealth is an ability that allows players or mobs to sneak around undetected by anyone isn't share a party or raid with them. Like invisibility, it hides a unit. However, stealth detection comes with all units, allowing anyone to see stealthed units in front of them in close range. In contrast, obtaining stealth is relatively cheaper than invisibility, the latter usually only lasts for a very short time.
Any effect that grants only one of stealth or invisibility detection, will not affect the other.
Stealth abilities
- Rogue:
- [Stealth] (non-combat stealth)
[Vanish] (combat stealth)
[Shroud of Concealment] (aoe stealth)
- Druid:
[Prowl] (non combat stealth; requires and enforces 
[Cat Form])
- Hunter:
[Camouflage] (non combat stealth; limited time)
- Hunter pet:
[Prowl] (Cat bonus ability)- [Spirit Walk] (Spirit Beast bonus ability)
- Night elf:
[Shadowmeld] (combat stealth; breaks on move)
Stealth detection
Passive stealth detection is available to all units. All units have two stats: subtlety and detection. The difference between detecting unit's subtlety and target's detection will determine the distance that a unit will be seen at. The closer the detecting unit is to their target, the higher the probability that the target will be detected. The chance of detection is also increased if the target is anywhere in a 180° arc in front of the detecting unit; it is always best to approach a target from behind. Remaining stationary does not make a unit harder to detect.
Passive stealth detection isn't affected by the detecting unit itself stealthing. A common scenario is both parties are stealthed and wander around randomly until one of them catches the other and wins opening moves.
All units gain +5 subtlety and +5 detection each level. Very few things modify these values (most effects directly reveal stealthed units); only [Feral Instinct] gives +15 subtlety, and [Track Hidden] gives +30 detection.
These abilities can reveal or dispel stealth:
Anti-Stealth eye
Many mobs come with an ability known as "anti-stealth eye", which guaranteed to revealing units with stealth or invisibility for them, with additionally a cyan-blue circle below them indicates the detection range. Such mobs are usually elite guards, or elite mobs in dungeons or raids.
Tips and tactics
Stealth has a number of uses:
- Bypassing mobs to reach places without fighting.
- Catching the enemy unprepared by sneaking up on them.
- Many of a rogue's opening moves such as
[Ambush] and 
[Cheap Shot] can only be used from Stealth. - Stealth is a way to remain relatively safe while AFK. If an enemy wanders too close, however, they will still detect you.
- It is possible to "stealth run" dungeons to kill specific bosses, to loot chests, or to gather resources. This is normally done solo, but it is possible to do with a full group of rogues and druids.
PvE
In PvE, monsters will normally react when you are close to being detected. Typically, they will look up and either say something or make a noise. If you have 
[Distract] (available at level 22), this can be a very useful ability to keep mobs looking the other way. Try to learn the range at which various mobs will aggro you - then move to just outside that range before using stealth. This will reduce the time you spend under Stealth's movement restriction.
PvP
In PvP, if you enter stealth mode near an enemy player they will likely see a message on their screen. Thus, try to stealth from a distance, loop around behind them in a wide circle, and approach from behind. Make good use of any vegetation or other cover - although does not help directly, it can make you somewhat harder to spot visually if you are detected. It takes a couple of seconds for a detected person to "phase in" on anyone's screen, so you can normally rush the last couple of yards. You can use Distract in PvP. The target will face the other way, but it will - of course - notice that a Rogue is approaching.
Most dedicated anti-stealth kits belong to hunters. Not only do they have greater passive stealth detection, but they also have 
[Flare] to place no-stealth zone, and 
[Hunter's Mark] to pin down a discovered stealth-capable enemy. Be very careful when encountering a hunter while stealthing.
If a demon hunter is using 
[Spectral Sight] to find you, quickly 
[Sap] or 
[Freezing Trap] the demon hunter to cancel the effect immediately, the cooldown of Spectral Sight gives you ample time to set up your moves.
Notes and trivia
- Stealth also hides you from friendly units, as long as they don't share the same party or raid with you. This is why you will see anti-stealth eye above friendly guards, although they won't do anything if they detect you.
- There were used to be many abilities, consumables, and item sets modifying subtlety or detection. Since Wrath of the Lich King they are rarely a part of modern gameplay. Now effects modifying them generally only reserved for quests effects.
Patch changes
Hotfix (2009-05-14): We recently made some changes to items that grant stealth detection. We felt these items provided a necessary advantage in competitive PVP and forced players to use lower level equipment even when more powerful items were available to them. This item can no longer be used in the Arena:
We have removed stealth detection from the following items:
- All epic engineering goggles
We have reduced the stealth detection of the following items:
All of these changes are already active and the tooltips will be updated with the next minor patch.
Patch 1.7.0 (2005-09-13): Fixed bug where self-inflicted damage, like Poisonous Blood, wouldn't break stealth. - Patch 1.6.0 (2005-07-12): Damage caused by environmental effects will now cancel stealth (e.g. swimming in lava).
