Invisible is not the same as hidden
In 2014, being invisible doesn't make you hidden. Enemies can usually still hear you, so they know which square you're in. You need the Hide action (a Dexterity (Stealth) check) to hide your location.
In 2024 the relationship flips: a successful Hide action (DC 15 Stealth while heavily obscured or behind three-quarters or total cover, and out of enemies' line of sight) gives you the invisible condition while you stay hidden. You stop being hidden if you make a sound louder than a whisper, an enemy finds you, you make an attack roll, or you cast a spell with a verbal component.
What causes invisible
- •Invisibility (2nd level): lasts up to 1 hour. It ends early if the target attacks or casts a spell (2014), or makes an attack roll, deals damage or casts a spell (2024).
- •Greater Invisibility (4th level): up to 1 minute, and it doesn't end when you attack or cast.
- •Hide action (2024): successful Hide gives the condition.
- •Ranger, level 14 (2024): Nature's Veil turns you invisible until the end of your next turn as a bonus action.
- •Monsters: imps, quasits and sprites can turn invisible; the invisible stalker is invisible all the time.
How to deal with an invisible creature
- •Faerie Fire (1st level): affected creatures can't benefit from being invisible, and attacks against them have advantage.
- •See Invisibility (2nd level): you see invisible creatures as if they were visible.
- •Blindsight and truesight perceive invisible creatures within range.
- •Area spells don't need you to see a target. A Fireball centered on the sound of footsteps works.
- •Break concentration. Invisibility and Greater Invisibility both require concentration in both editions, so damaging the caster can end them.
- •Flour, paint or water on the floor is a classic table ruling to reveal footprints.
Common rulings and edge cases
- •Attacking an invisible target means guessing its square. If you guess wrong, you miss automatically, and the DM typically just says "you miss".
- •Advantage and disadvantage cancel. Two invisible creatures fighting each other roll normally.
- •Invisible doesn't mean silent. A creature with keen hearing can track you by sound.
- •Spells that need sight fail against you in 2024 (Concealed). In 2014 the same thing happens in practice, because spells that say "a creature you can see" can't target someone the caster can't see.
- •Sneak Attack works. Your attack has advantage, which is all Sneak Attack needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does invisible do in 5e?
You can't be seen without magic or special senses. Your attacks have advantage and attacks against you have disadvantage. In 2024 you also get advantage on initiative and ignore effects that require the target to be seen.
Does attacking end invisibility?
It ends the Invisibility spell (2nd level), but not Greater Invisibility. The invisible condition itself doesn't end when you attack, only the specific effect that caused it might.
Are you hidden if you're invisible?
Not automatically in 2014. Enemies can still hear you. In 2024, a successful Hide action is what gives you the invisible condition.
Can you target an invisible creature with spells?
Not with spells that need you to see the target. Area spells and spells that target a point work fine, and See Invisibility or Faerie Fire solve the problem.
Does Faerie Fire beat invisibility?
Yes. A creature outlined by Faerie Fire can't benefit from being invisible, and attacks against it have advantage if the attacker can see it.
Rules checked against the D&D 5e SRD 5.1 (2014) and SRD 5.2.1 (2024).