I have done some experimenting with S.Step and distances and this is what I
have found. You can only go as far as you can see in a flat line. In
otherwords, if you are in a dungeon, or in a valley, you will no no further
than you can see, or somewhere else in the bottom of the valley. If you are
standing on a hill peak though, or on a high flat spot in the middle of the
desert where you can see for a long distance, you will go MUCH further.
Take this into account when fighting something and you need to make a get
away. The more of an open area you are in, or on higher ground, you will go
a much further distance, on average.
The problem is S.Step (and Fade for that matter) will not move you through
walls, of even move you to a higher elevation. When you fade, you will get
moved to another spot of either the same elevation, or lower elevation, but
never higher. This should help in having better success.

-Shadowwalker of Karana