Demoralize Adjustment

[DurinRustbeard]

I was simply wanting to suggest that the skill Demoralize (Which is governed by Intimidate) be given the ability to progress beyond one round of duration. Perhaps for every 5 skill in Intimidate, the demoralize would last an additional round. I don't imagine it to be game breaking or anything, and as it is demoralize only lasts one round on one opponent and prevents you from taking other actions that round.

I would also suggest that it be given a function similar to Taunt in such that when you do successfully demoralize an opponent that it has the small symbol for Demoralize appear when it lands, and have it also appear when it fades.

Benefit: It provides a more useful function to a pre-existing ability, while promoting the use of skill points in a social skill.

[Phantom Lamb]

I thought that as you progressed in skill it would affect more targets, like an area affect?

[Allielliot]

nope. just 1 round of 1 person not fighting as well, while you cannot fight at all. I would love to see this tweaked.

[DurinRustbeard]

Yea, Your thinking of Taunt PL, which is quite different. It reduces AC by 2, and some saves? It lasts 5 rounds but its aoe gets bigger with every 5 skill. It provokes an attack of opportunity on yourself and its vs will.

Demoralize makes different checks, only effects one npc with your engaged with for -2 attack and only lasts one round.

I'd like to see its functionality improved to at least last multiple rounds vs the one foe. And using every 5 skill to extend it 1 round seems reasonable.

[Kaseira]

What's he's suggesting is right, making it last 1 extra round per 5 ranks would be good because as of right now, it's completely worthless. Literally, completely worthless.

[Iso]

Yeah, I always wanted to invest points into it for Demoralize, but it's just not worth it beyond RP reasons currently.

[DurinRustbeard]

So is this a plausible fix that can be implemented? It seems several agree. Kael do we have the technology? Can we rebuild it?

[Verrath]

What's he's suggesting is right, making it last 1 extra round per 5 ranks would be good because as of right now, it's completely worthless. Literally, completely worthless.

Wellll... in PvE you could give an advantage to your buddies if you use it. You demoralize, while the rest of your party hacks. Just needs some team coordination.

But I agree, it's very small compensation.
The suggested change sounds extremely worthwhile. My Weapon Master greatly prefers Taunt at this point.

[Thief Of Navarre]

Its already advantagious to use it in combat; especially against bosses!

scenario:

Dwarven fighter: Casts Demoralise
Elven mage: Casts Hold Person
Halfling kneecapper: Rolls 20+Awesome for 10D6 sneak damage.

Firstly it takes the brunt off the fighter who has to cope with the boss's AB, second it slightly takes the DC worry off the mage's back and thirdly it brings down the skill bar for the rogue who can land his bluff checks or whatever easier. I generally treat Fighters like the World of Warcraft warriors in that they protect the party rather than being the party damage dealer!

Perhaps the duration is a bit short (although canon by D&D law) but I think maybe the concept of what Demoralise should be used for is a bit blurred. imo Demoralise is a defensive tool rather than an offensive one.

A plated up warrior in expertise mode actively using Demoralise is going to be damn tough to scratch

*edit* Another idea could be to implement a feat that allows you to use it as a Free action like Invisible Blade's feint is!

[Allielliot]

yeah watch you said is true thief, but it just isn't worth the 2 aB to give everyone near you an attack of opportunity. gains do not out weigh risk even in your scenario. and while there is chance to lower that one guys AB it might fail and then you can do no other action for a full round. My lvl12 WM would be trading 3 attacks for several attacks of opportunity on him and a small decrease to his being hit for 1 round....not a very good trade.

[Thief Of Navarre]

I thought only taunt causes an AoO, Demoralize shouldnt..

*edit* That would mean a Samurai (who get Demoralize as a persistant effect) would die in seconds because everytime it procs it would cause an attack of opportunity!

[Allielliot]

okay maybe not that,I have not used the skill in a long time due to its having so little use, but still, minus 2 AB for nothing to do that round, and a chance that it fails? I'd rather just drop their AC and kill them....or just kill them. lol

[Thief Of Navarre]

Might be good for a bard who lacking aught else to do with his miserable life he decides to trash talk the bad guys?

Who am I kidding, your right the duration should be upped!

[Allielliot]

lol. I like the bard idea. I have already run around with a few that taunt people in an rp fashion, why not scare the crap out of them? stand behind the wall of tanks making them feel better while you sing, and make the enemies crappier, Priceless. And the higher Cha score helps too. I really like this idea the more i think about it. But now back on topic. Can we make this feat a little more useful when/ if there is ever some free time?

[DurinRustbeard]

Kael, mind weighing in? Is it something that wouldn't take too much time to implement as suggested or perhaps a variant of that.?