D&D 5E Battlemaster Question - Menacing Attack ?

[Amatiel]

MenacingAttack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to frighten the target. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw, On a failed save, it is frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

The Fighter (battlemaster) menacing attack - Does this maneuver only impose 'frightened' against the battlemaster, or as per the condition. It would seem to suggest (as written) that the target is only frightened of the battlemaster. So, wouldn't they just run off and attack someone else?

 

[Hawk Diesel]

My understanding is that the target has the frightened condition, which states:

Frightened
• A frightened creature has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight.
• The creature can’t willingly move closer to the source of its fear.

So technically yes, they could go attack someone else. But this would draw an attack of opportunity, and they would attack at disadvantage until the condition ends.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

As Hawk pointed out, the frightened condition functions in such a way that there is always a specific source for the condition that one afflicted by it is penalized while able to see, and cannot move closer to.

So the answer to "Does this maneuver only impose 'frightened' against the battlemaster, or as per the condition." is "Yes."

 

[WarpedAcorn]

MenacingAttack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to frighten the target. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw, On a failed save, it is frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

The Fighter (battlemaster) menacing attack - Does this maneuver only impose 'frightened' against the battlemaster, or as per the condition. It would seem to suggest (as written) that the target is only frightened of the battlemaster. So, wouldn't they just run off and attack someone else?

It imposes Frightened on the target and you are the source of the effect when it comes to applying the effects of the condition. I make use of the "unable to willingly move closer" aspect by putting myself between my partymates and the enemy.

Interesting note: This does not exclude them from attacking you (the source) if you are already within range. Of course they do so with Disadvantage, but they don't necessarily have to run away or attack someone else.