D&D 5E (2014) Is Point Buy Balanced?

[Maxperson]

Unfortunately, @Maxperson is bang-on right: intimidation in real life works exactly as he says it does. Many (most?) of us have direct experience with this.

If the intent is for it to work differently in the game they should probably have put a different name to it.

And they should have described it differently.

5e: "Intimidation. When you attempt to influence someone through overt threats, hostile actions, and physical violence, the DM might ask you to make a Charisma (Intimidation) check."

5.5e: "Intimidation. Awe or threaten someone into doing what you want."