Obscurity

Obscurity defines the visibility of creatures and objects based on environmental lighting and magical effects. A location is categorized as a  Clear Area, Lightly Obscured, or Heavily Obscured depending on factors like ambient light, shadows, or spells which create areas such as  Fog,  Darkness, and  Cloudkill. For example, in many cases the obscurity of an area can be increased – going from clear area to lightly obscured – by snuffing out a light source such as a candle. While a creature is simply standing in these areas, they are 'obscured' by the environment, but they only gain the specific  Lightly Obscured or  Heavily Obscured status conditions if they successfully use the  Hide action.

It is important to distinguish between the environmental state of an area and the status condition of a creature. Many pieces of equipment grant bonuses – such as increased Critical Hit chances or damage resistances – whenever the wearer is 'obscured.' Unless the item's description specifically requires the user to be Hiding, these benefits apply as long as the character is standing in a Lightly or Heavily Obscured space. If an item does not specify a level of obscurity, both Lightly and Heavily Obscured environments will trigger its effects.

Environmental obscurity is the primary factor in determining whether a hidden character is detected within an enemy's line of sight. A character attempting to hide in a Clear Area is spotted instantly. In a Lightly Obscured area, the character must succeed on a Stealth Check against the enemy's Passive Perception to remain unseen. A Heavily Obscured area generally makes a character impossible to detect by sight alone. However, creatures with  Darkvision effectively reduce the obscurity level by one step: they automatically spot characters in Lightly Obscured areas and force those in Heavily Obscured areas to roll Stealth checks. Regardless of the environment, a character who is not actively hiding receives no protection from line-of-sight detection.

Items which grant special benefits when obscured

Weapons

Item	Effects
Knife of the Undermountain King	Shadow Blade You have  Advantage on  Attack Rolls against Lightly or Heavily Obscured targets when using this blade.
Least Expected	Darkveil Precision While obscured in shadow, the wielder has a +1d4 bonus to their ranged weapon attacks.
Promise	Shadow Blade You have  Advantage on  Attack Rolls against Lightly or Heavily Obscured targets when using this blade.
Shar's Spear of Evening	Shar's Blessing You gain  Advantage on  Saving throws while Lightly or Heavily Obscured. This weapon deals an additional 1d6 damage to creatures that are Lightly or Heavily Obscured.

Clothes and Armour

Item	Effects
Dark Justiciar Half-Plate (Rare)	Shar's Umbrae While obscured, the wearer has  Advantage on Stealth Checks.
Dark Justiciar Half-Plate (Very Rare)	Shar's Umbrae While obscured, the wearer has  Advantage on Stealth Checks.
Dark Justiciar Mail	Nightsinger's Reply While Obscured by shadow, the wearer deals 1d4⁠⁠Necrotic to attackers that hit them with a melee attack.
Penumbral Armour	Stealthier While Obscured, the wearer gains +3 bonus to Stealth Checks
Shadeclinger Armour	Shadeclinger While Obscured, the wearer has  Advantage on  Saving throws.
Viconia's Priestess Robe	Shar's Umbrae While obscured, the wearer has  Advantage on Stealth Checks.

Headwear

Item	Effects
Covert Cowl	Covert Critical While obscured, the number you need to roll a Critical Hit while attacking is reduced by 1. This effect can stack.
Dark Justiciar Helm	Swathed in Shadow While Obscured by shadow, the wearer gains +1 to  Saving throws when attacked.[See: Bugs]
Dark Justiciar Helmet	Covert Critical While obscured, the number you need to roll a Critical Hit while attacking is reduced by 1. This effect can stack.
The Shadespell Circlet	Shadespell While the wearer is obscured in shadow, their spells gain a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC, making them more likely to succeed.

Gloves

Item	Effects
Dark Justiciar Gauntlets (Rare)	Beckoning Darkness Curse a creature to be haunted by darkness. It takes 2d8⁠⁠Necrotic damage if it enters or starts its turn in a Lightly or Heavily Obscured area.

Footwear

Item	Effects
Dark Justiciar Boots	Shadow Teleportation Teleport to an unoccupied, obscured spot.

Rings

Item	Effects
Ring of Twilight	Treader by Twilight You gain a +1 bonus to  Armour Class while obscured.
Shadow-Cloaked Ring	Shadowthief The wearer's weapon and unarmed attacks deal an additional 1d4 damage against  Lightly or  Heavily Obscured creatures, and creatures made of shadow.
Shadow Blade Ring	Shadow Blade Weave a shadowy shortsword in your hand that deals 2d8⁠⁠Psychic damage. Makes  Attack Rolls with  Advantage when used to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness.