D&D 5E Presence attack: Intimidation as an attack

[peterka9]

Being able to damage without weapons is fine, generally we call it magic.

Do you have a better idea for a weaponless sneak attack ?

 

[Fenris-77]

There isn't anything particularly wrong with the mechanics presented. My main issue is with Intimidate as a skill and the fact that it's tied to CHA only.

 

[Garthanos]

So Fighters and Barbarians are particularly vulnerable to Intimidation?

Fun huh has something to do with dump stats and mechanics for combat not actually broadly wiring into mental stats... (except for spell casters of course)

 

[Stormonu]

If the Intimidate as is bothers you, just replace using CHR with STR (for both attacker and defender).

The Charismatic bard uses intimidate to ridicule his opponent, delivering blows to his target’s self-esteem or reputation (Insight + Chr). (“You raise your sword at me? Funny, Mistress Ravenwood said you couldn’t even unsheathe it last night.”). The fighter or barbarian physically intimidates and you have to have the insight (Insight + Str) to know you could possibly take them (“listen, you little runt, I’m going to paint the walls with your insides if you don’t stop right now”)

 

[peterka9]

There isn't anything particularly wrong with the mechanics presented.

OK. I will not talk about intimidate anymore. Like real-life religion and politics, it is a continual cause of arguments.

So, Fenris77, in your opinion, the presence attack is fine per se, as a feat or only for a rogue-like class ?