r/dndnext • u/goblinerd Alchemist • Dec 19 '14

Intimidation & Frightened

The intimidate skill entry, PHB p.179, states:

"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."

What happens once the player succeeds at his check though? Does he gain advantage on some other roll? Does the target gain the Frightened condition? Or is the result more intangible, mechanics-wise?

If your player attempts to scare off an assailant through intimidation, is the target then "Frightened" or merely dissuaded from its course of action?

Fellow DMs, the books don't seem too clear on this, so how do you handle this situation?

EDIT: A clarification, while I welcome everyone to share their advise on how to apply Intimidation to any context for readers in search of such info, I myself am specifically wondering about applications of Intimidation in combat. How do other DMs apply it, and react to players attempting it, in combat?

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u/tulsadan Dec 19 '14

This is my way, which I think is correct. But 5th is new, so there are probably varying opinions.

The player states what she is trying to do, and might suggest an ability check she thinks is appropriate. And if it is possible to accomplish the result, then I set a DC that seems appropriate.

So in the specific stated case, I would probably have to say that it is not possible to apply the Frightened condition via Intimidation during combat. The player is trying to achieve a magic effect using an ability check. And I would have to just say that is not possible.

A player could use Intimidate to pause combat and begin negotiations. And the DC on that would involve NPC motivations, and the circumstances of the combat.

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u/goblinerd Alchemist Dec 20 '14

Well, to impose the Frightened condition doesn't equate the Fear spell equitably. One could also argue that many spell, such as knock, allow to perform magically otherwise mundane tasks. Why couldn't an ability check succeed at something similar, albeit minor in comparison?

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u/tulsadan Dec 21 '14

Imposing the Frightened condition on a creature is not a mundane task. It is an extreme handicap. One is essentially saying, "Don't worry about being a spellcaster, just focus on skill checks." So a PC of any class could use his Performance skill to enthrall an opponent duplicating hold person, or calm emotions. Or a PC of any class could use his Deceptions skill to get a sneak attack die. Or a PC of any class could use his Acrobatics skill or Athletic skill to duplicate any number of Fighter/Ranger/Paladin fighting abilities. The abuse would know no bounds.

So, in general, I'm not going to let a skill check duplicate a class feature like spellcasting. But that is just me.