Invisibility and Intimidation

[FlipFlop]

if a NPC is invisible does that have any effect on an attempt to intimidate them?

Last night I was running a encounter where the NPC went invisible. The players blocked all the exits then proceeded to try to intimidate to get the NPC to surrender. I ended up just giving the NPC a bonus to the opposed roll.

I'd be interested to hear how others would handle this situation.

FlipFlop

 

[shilsen]

I'd go with a bonus on the opposed roll too.

 

[GrandArchon]

I dunno. On one hand, the PCs can't be seen, so part of their intimidation (size, weapons, looks, their CHA score in general,) is lost on that. On the other hand, I'd be worried if I were surrounded by invisible assailants. My guess is that they would sort of break even and roll intimidation as normal, but that's just me.

 

[DevoutlyApathetic]

The person doing the intimidation isn't invisible, the person being intimidated is.

Bonus to the opposed roll for me as well.

 

[GrandArchon]

Oh-ho! My apoligies. Then I agree- Bonus to the opposed roll.

 

[Ferrum]

I don't know. The invisible opponent is trapped. The PCs intimidate him.

Invisibility is mechanically just a spell that gives certain bonuses.

Would you give the same NPC a bonus if he had Mage Armor cast on him? Stone Skin? Mirror Image? The NPC knows each of these spells give him an advantage, just like invis.

Should the PCs get bonuses for spells cast on them that the NPC knows about? If the barbarian is raging does that effect give a bonus? Alter self could make someone appear scarier, so could a host of other spells.

Seems like unless you want to sort out bonuses for every spell, effect and ability, you should just go with how charismatically the intimidator describes eviscerating the intimidatee.

 

[blargney the second]

Circumstance bonuses are the DM's divine right.

 

[Ferrum]

Circumstance bonuses are the DM's divine right.

I totally agree, but setting precedent can mean a DM's nightmare.

 

[Felnar]

i agree with Ferrum

why shouldnt everything give a bonus?
Intimidate is a weird skill because a circumstance bonus is conceivable in every instance intimidate is used

 

[Kahuna Burger]

i agree with Ferrum

why shouldnt everything give a bonus?
Intimidate is a weird skill because a circumstance bonus is conceivable in every instance intimidate is used

I agree with Felnar's agreement. The only way I could see it mattering is that the PCs can't neccessarily gaze menacingly right at him because they don't know exactly where he is. But even that is iffy. Overall, no bonus/penalty unless you have a set policy of giving them and the PCs know they can take advantage of this.