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Message: <blockquote data-quote="candidus_cogitens" data-source="post: 340756" data-attributes="member: 770">First, an observation:  It has been widely observed that Intimidation could be determined by a PC's strength rather than a charisma based skill.  Shouldn't the same reasoning also apply concerning the PC's level?  The intimidate rules specify that the DC is 10 plus the hit die of the creature you are trying to intimidate.  If higher-level NPCs are harder to intimidate, wouldn't it also be the case that a higher level PC is more intimidating? Shouldn't a more powerful character be naturally more intimidating, without special training in the skill?Second, a question:  what does the skill actually allow you to do?  If my PC succeeds in intimidating someone, does that mean he can get the NPC to do whatever he asks, or tell whatever he wants to know?  Perhaps you will say some judgment on the part of the DM is called for.  But doesnt that amount to saying that the outcome is determined exactly the same way as if you didn't have any ranks in the skill at all?  I mean, the bottom line is that the NPC is going to do what is reasonable for him to do when he is threatened by the PC, right?  So, perhaps you would say that the Intimidate skill allows you to push the NPC a little further than he would normally go.  Okay ... but let's look at an example.Quendilon the bard threatens a guard, "Tell me where the priest is being held, or I'll kill you right now."  If it's true that Quendilon could probably kill the guard, then the guard will probably figure out that it is wise to comply, regardless of whether Quendilon has stated his threat in a particularly persuasive way.  If it's NOT true that Quendilon could easily defeat the guard, then the only way the guard would comply is if Quendilon manages to APPEAR tougher than he actually is.  If that is the case, then what's the difference between Intimidate and Bluff?!?In other scenarios, Intimidate is likely to overlap with Diplomacy.</blockquote>

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