The only class that could natively stealth during combat was Shadowdancer AFAIK (besides potions) and the debate over that class will probably go on until the end of time from what I've read so far.
All I need from the old IE games is individual stealth. I do like the perimeter based stealth; I can sneak into a room with reds, carefully empty an urn or two, then sneak off and shed the threat that was built up. Just allow for that to happen individually (the "threat" building up is individual, going into/out of stealth is not). However, that all party members go visible at the same time is far more problematic than having them all go INTO stealth at the same time (I could even buy the argument that if one pc scouts ahead he/she would also want those who stay behind to keep somewhat quiet).
What is nice, though, is that my rogue can be the glass canon one can expect them to be: quickly get a few cheap, high damage hits in then scamper off.
It is simply not acceptible that my high stealth rogue, who could be waiting two rooms away for all we know, goes fully visible the moment my fighter decides to smash someones head in. That's like, oh I don't know, quantum mechanics...? Are we but quarks? Seriously, it's weird.
On that note, can someone elaborate on the use of backstab without getting squashed witihin seconds due to the stealth mechanic? Or is it not intended for use in encounters with more than one red circle?
