Intimidating rage, magic , etc.

[peterka1]

Intimidate <> scare was debated a lot here. But in movies and cartoons, a Booh! is enough to let weaklings flee..

So, rage (barb feat) + magic do scare. Anybody have another trick that can scare ?

High intimidate skill ? High strenght display or size ?

ideas ?

Here is my vesion of Intimidating Spellcasting

Your words and gestures are frighteningly intimidating to other creatures who are scared by magic (anobody without experience of magic, in most worlds)
Prereqs: Skill: Spellcraft rank (2+), intimidate 5+

Benefit: As a standard action or as part of casting a spell, every character of Int 3 or higher within 30 feet, or be shaken (-2 to all rolls, checks, and saves) for 1d4 rounds plus 1 round per point of charisma modifier.

You don’t need to really cast, just pretend. Of course, opponents who are sure than you’re not a caster are immune. A critical (natural 20 = threat) cause panic.

Using this feat while casting a spell takes a concentration check with a DC of (DC = 20 + spell level). You can try it as often as wished.

Opponents with at least one level of spellcraft or HD 5+ are not affected by this feat, unless they suffer from manaphobia.

 

[Nifft]

Mongoos' Quintessential Witch has a Feat called "Ominous Chant", which requires four ranks of Perform (chant), and only leaves its victims shaken for 1 round (until the witch's next initiative).

-- Nifft

 

[peterka1]

This feat seems too weak...

But it seems usable against any HD. Should compare to doom cleric spell (-2 to rolls)

 

[Nifft]

It's a free Fear effect added to any spell with a Verbal component -- seems not so weak IMHO. It affects all critters within 30'. Save DC is 10 + caster Cha modifier. In effect, it's a free Cantrip vs. everyone within 30' every time you cast a spell.

-- Nifft

 

[peterka1]

Well... -2 to rolls is cool, but not VERY usuful for 1 round. But it is only a FEAT...

You have the details ?

 

[peterka1]

I changed my version to fit yours and make it simpler

Charlatan curser

You are adept to fake curses to those already intimidated by you. If you fake to cast a curse, your words and gestures are frighteningly intimidating to other creatures who are scared by magic (and affected my fear).

Prereqs: Skill: Spellcraft or perform rank (5), intimidate (5)

Benefit: As a standard action or as part of casting a spell, you force every intimidated character of Int 3 or higher within 30 feet to make a will save vs intimidate total or be shaken (-2 to all rolls, checks, and saves) for 1 round. A critical (natural 20 = threat) cause panic as the scare spell (level = charisma bonuses). You can try it as often as wished but only once for any creature.

Using this feat while casting a spell takes a concentration check with a DC of (DC = 15 + spell level) and require the disguise spell feat. Casting a real doom,curse, etc. will add shaken effects in addition.

Opponents may add spellcraft ranks to will save to disbelieve the false curse.


Of course, we shoudl define normal intimidation effects again... Another story..

 

[Nifft]

Here are my thoughts on Intimidate and Barbarians / Fighters / whatnot:

Barbarians gain a +4 bonus to Intimidate when Raging.

Feat: Intimidating Strike
Prereq: Intimidate (4 ranks)
Benefit: On a critical hit which deals damage to a foe, the Barbarian may make an Intimidate roll, adding (weapon crit multiplier * Cha bonus), opposed by the Foe's own Intimidate roll (or Will save, which ever is better). If the Foe fails, she becomes shaken until she deals damage to the Barbarian.

Feat: Menacing Presence
Prereq: Intimidate (6 ranks)
Benefit: When you threaten a square, Concentration checks made in that square are penalized by your Charisma bonus (+4 for raging Barbarians).

-- Nifft

 

[drdevoid]

How about a 2 part skill check, a successful bluff followed by a succesful performance which produces . . . feigned dementia. Possibly this could spawn a feat to bolster it if it's popular which adds, I don't know, 3 (2? maybe 4?) to each check when attempting to feign dementia. People don't like the crazy. It makes them wonder if you are just a cursin' loon or a cuttin' loon.

 

[peterka1]

Feat: Menacing Presence
Prereq: Intimidate (6 ranks)
Benefit: When you threaten a square, Concentration checks made in that square are penalized by your Charisma bonus (+4 for raging Barbarians).

Good, but too weak. Why not charisma + level penalties or intimidate total penalties? Lowering concentration by a few points is not enough.. You should be able to really prevent melee casting.

 

[Nifft]

Good, but too weak. Why not charisma + level penalties or intimidate total penalties? Lowering concentration by a few points is not enough.. You should be able to really prevent melee casting.

IMHO this would be a separate mechanic -- you designate one opponent who you attack, and then you "taunt" them with your Intimidate skill. They must make an opposed Concentration roll to cast a spell. IMHO this should be a free use of the skill (NOT requiring a Feat), while the Feat I wrote above works against any spellcaster in your threatened area. (With a Reach weapon, this could be significant.)

-- Nifft