Duration of cumulative Fear effects

[atomn]

What is the rule for the duration of cumulative Fear effects? If a character becomes Shaken for 7 rounds, then Shaken one round later for 3 rounds is the character:

1) Frightened for 6 rounds, then free of Fear (the highest Fear effect duration).
2) Frightened for 3 rounds, then dropped to Shaken for 3 rounds (cumulative Fear effect until the shorter duration ends, dropping to the lower step until the longer duration ends).
3) Frightened for 3 rounds, then free of Fear (the duration of the effect that resulted in the highest Fear condition).

What if a character becomes Shaken for 2 rounds, then Shaken one round later for 5 rounds would the same rule apply?

1) Frightened for 5 rounds, then free of Fear (the highest Fear effect duration).
2) Frightened for 1 rounds, then dropped to Shaken for 4 rounds (cumulative Fear effect until the shorter duration ends, dropping to the lower step until the longer duration ends).

Or maybe another rule? Any insight or reference would be great. Thanks!!

 

[kjenks]

It looks to me as if the stacking effect only lasts as long as both fear effects are present.

Shaken for 7 rounds, then Shaken one round later for 3 rounds:

Round 1: Shaken
Round 2: Shaken + Shaken = Frightened
Round 3: Shaken + Shaken = Frightened
Round 4: Shaken + Shaken = Frightened
Round 5: Shaken
Round 6: Shaken
Round 7: Shaken

Shaken for 2 rounds, then Shaken one round later for 5 rounds:

Round 1: Shaken
Round 2: Shaken + Shaken = Frightened
Round 3: Shaken
Round 4: Shaken
Round 5: Shaken
Round 6: Shaken

Remember, though, that the duration of any effect expires just before the turn of the creature who caused the effect. So if you cast a Fear spell and cause a creature to be automatically shaken for 1 round, that effect expires just before your next turn. Because of that, and because so many of the fear effects have just a one-round duration, fear effect stacking works best when you can have a tag-team effort, like one character making an enemy shaken then another character causing another fear effect.

 

[atomn]

Gotcha. Well presented, seeing it layed out visually like that made it much easier to get. Thanks!!

 

[blargney the second]

Don't forget - if you add in stirred, you'll get a lousy tip.