'Frightful Presence of Dragons' - what does 'SHAKEN' mean? [Archive] - Wizards Community

'Frightful Presence of Dragons' - what does 'SHAKEN' mean? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Brandish
11-02-06, 08:29 AM MM1 states that Dragons - young adult and older have a 'frightful presence' and it gives rules for how the effect takes place, the save DC, all that jazz.

But it simply says 4HD and lower creatures will be "panicked" for the 4D6 rounds; ok thats simple enough ... but what of 5HD and over creatures [up to the 15HD limit of course] who are "Shaken" for 4D6 rounds. What does that translate to? Is there some rule in a corebook I'm not aware of?

I'm an old hand - started with Advanced 2nd. I'm still learning new 3.5 rules all the time. I'm fine with arbitrating my own version of what 'shaken' means; but I thought I'd ask you guys (and gals) first.

Thanks in advance.
ieattrollsforbreakfast
11-02-06, 08:36 AM The definitions of the conditions are in the glossary at the back of the PHB.
From the SRD:

Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.

Panicked: A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature cowers and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.
Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
DungeonMaster
11-02-06, 01:00 PM Keep in mind the frightful presence, like any fear effect, stack. So if you're shaken by seeing the dragon attack in round 1, you have to make another save next round you see the dragon attack, and if you fail that one you become frightened and so forth.
Some fear effects can just make you shaken though, which is often a source of confusion. Read the description of each carefully.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Brandish 11-02-06, 08:29 AM	MM1 states that Dragons - young adult and older have a 'frightful presence' and it gives rules for how the effect takes place, the save DC, all that jazz. But it simply says 4HD and lower creatures will be "panicked" for the 4D6 rounds; ok thats simple enough ... but what of 5HD and over creatures [up to the 15HD limit of course] who are "Shaken" for 4D6 rounds. What does that translate to? Is there some rule in a corebook I'm not aware of? I'm an old hand - started with Advanced 2nd. I'm still learning new 3.5 rules all the time. I'm fine with arbitrating my own version of what 'shaken' means; but I thought I'd ask you guys (and gals) first. Thanks in advance.
ieattrollsforbreakfast 11-02-06, 08:36 AM	The definitions of the conditions are in the glossary at the back of the PHB. From the SRD: Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked. Panicked: A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature cowers and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
DungeonMaster 11-02-06, 01:00 PM	Keep in mind the frightful presence, like any fear effect, stack. So if you're shaken by seeing the dragon attack in round 1, you have to make another save next round you see the dragon attack, and if you fail that one you become frightened and so forth. Some fear effects can just make you shaken though, which is often a source of confusion. Read the description of each carefully.