Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-26410366-20180409120745/@comment-31507215-20180409165041

Instead of having them invisible from certain  distances, how about something like this:

Hobbits would be given a new NBT value called "Caution" or "Wariness" or something of the sort. This value would be a number, randomly generated when a Hobbit spawns, that would determine how suspicious they are of strangers, and how likely they are to disappear.

Hobbits may disappear;
 * when they see a player.
 * when they see Mannish or Orcish NPCs.
 * when they are attacked.

To determine whether the Hobbit will disappear upon sighting a player or not is determined by the Hobbit's Wariness and the player's alignment.

If a hobbit sees an enemy NPC, it will almost certainly disappear.

If a hobbit is attacked, unless it is a Shirriff, it will definitely disappear.

When a hobbit "disappears", it will sprint away from whatever it is avoiding, and after a few blocks would turn invisible. A few particles of grass or leaves could be appropriate here.