D&D 5E The Aura of Courage and You

[Guest 6801328]

Except what you are actually rolling for is whether you will have the frightened condition for the next minute, not just whether you are frightened in the moment.

Again, I wouldn't actually rule it that way, but it is an implication of the "effect is suppressed but not cancelled while you're within the field" interpretation. It would need additional language to unambiguously also mean that you automatically pass your saving throws.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

Except what you are actually rolling for is whether you will have the frightened condition for the next minute, not just whether you are frightened in the moment.

Again, I wouldn't actually rule it that way, but it is an implication of the "effect is suppressed but not cancelled while you're within the field" interpretation. It would need additional language to unambiguously also mean that you automatically pass your saving throws.

I think you are extrapolating the suppression of an existing frightened condition upon entering the aura in a way that isn't necessary.

If the question being asked is "Will you have the frightened condition now, and for up to 1 minute from now?" the answer is "I can't be frightened" if you are within the aura at the time, so there is no reason to roll a saving throw.

 

[Psikerlord#]

GM judgment call, i would allow a creature entering the aura to have its fright suppressed.

 

[Guest 6801328]

I think you are extrapolating the suppression of an existing frightened condition upon entering the aura in a way that isn't necessary.

If the question being asked is "Will you have the frightened condition now, and for up to 1 minute from now?" the answer is "I can't be frightened" if you are within the aura at the time, so there is no reason to roll a saving throw.

I think your assumption about the difference between initial fear and ongoing fear is perfectly reasonable, which is why I'd rule it the same way, but it is an assumption.

If the frightened condition is purely a mental state, then any time it is suppressed it should be removed until another fear-causing event occurs. In which case entering the aura should remove the condition, not just suppress it.

Since it is only suppressed when entering the aura I conclude (you may conclude otherwise) that it is not just a mental state but it is more like a magical condition. The field apparently doesn't grant immunity to that condition. Which, in turn, means that when initially cast/used, the field wouldn't actually remove the need for a saving throw, and wouldn't grant ongoing protection to anybody leaving the field.

Personally I would rule that the field dispels the condition, not just suppresses it, both to avoid this problem and because it makes more sense to me, but if there's an official ruling that it only suppresses it this conundrum is a clear implication. Maybe it's not necessary from a gameplay/fun standpoint, but logically it is.

Thank goodness rulings > rules.

 

[Guest 6801328]

Actually, let me try to express this one more way: there is a difference between suppressing outward effects of and granting immunity to a magical state. Because the description of the aura does not claim both, and the rule clarification describes suppression explicitly without immunity, it requires an unstated extension of the description to cover both.

 

[Ristamar]

Since the intent of the aura appears to operate like an anti-fear zone, I'd run it like an anti-magic zone for the sake of consistency (suppressed if already affected, immune to new fear effects while in the zone).

 

[Guest 6801328]

Since the intent of the aura appears to operate like an anti-fear zone, I'd run it like an anti-magic zone for the sake of consistency (suppressed if already affected, immune to new fear effects while in the zone).

Oh, yeah, that's a good way of looking at it. While you're in the field of suppression you're immune because the Fear has had its magic suppressed.

If that's the intended behavior, though, then it should have been written into the ability description, as it is for Antimagic Field.

 

[Plaguescarred]

A paladin's aura of courage ability states: Starting at 10th level, you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you can’t be frightened while youare conscious.

If a frightened creature enters the aura is the fear dispelled or suppressed?

I'd say just supressed.

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

Something to bear in mind is that there are occasions where you really should be running away.

We had, back in AD&D, a character who had a mechanically similar ability. Which was great, until a deadly demonic entity popped up in a rural community. The tide of sensibly fleeing peasants bumped into our pillar of bravery, and promptly decided that the deadly demonic entity wasn't so terrifying after all.

They stood their ground in brave/stupid defiance. They all died.

Fear is often your best friend...