Intimidate as a Swift Action? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Intimidate as a Swift Action? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
bkdubs123
04-05-08, 02:54 AM I could have sworn I read about a feat or skill trick or something, in some book, that allowed a character to make an Intimidate check against a single foe as a swift action.

Can anyone help me out here? Can anyone think of anything that's maybe not a swift action, but faster than a Standard action?
ciaran
04-05-08, 02:14 PM Intimidating Strike (PH2) is the most promising means I've found to utilize Intimidate.
bkdubs123
04-05-08, 03:33 PM Thanks, that might be just what I need.
Lotus Crane
04-05-08, 03:57 PM The CW samurai has an ability like that (doesn't change the fact that it's a terribly weak class though), as does the Zhentarim soldier alternate class feature for the fighter (found in the Champions of Valor web enhancement (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060327a)).
bkdubs123
04-05-08, 04:13 PM Yeah, now that I mention it, I need that swift action to take advantage of the faster intimidate... lol, so even a swift action wouldn't work it'd have to be a free action, or some frightful presence sort of thing that demoralized opponents. I think Intimidating Strike might work (at least its the best shot I've got right now).

Thanks guys!
Khan the Destroyer
04-07-08, 12:35 AM There is an armor enhancement in Secrets of Sarlona I believe (or maybe Drow of the Underdark) that allows you to Intimidate a foe as a move action. Would that help?

What do you need your swift action for?
RobbyPants
04-07-08, 07:59 AM This probably isn't what you're looking for, but the Dread Necromancer base class in Heroes of Horror gets the ability to make people shaken as a free action at 5th level. What is nice about this is it stacks with the shaken effect from Intimidate, which means that by spending the free action followed by the standard action Intimidate, you can make your opponent frightened. When they run away, you get an AoO on them!

Still, if you're going for a melee-build, you probably don't want to dip five levels into a casting class. :P
ciaran
04-07-08, 08:41 AM With the right buff spells it could help. Does D.N. have good buffs?
RobbyPants
04-07-08, 10:10 AM With the right buff spells it could help. Does D.N. have good buffs?
Not a lot really. Most of them are debuffs or spells dealing with undead. There are a few damage dealing spells as well. One cool aspect is the hard to overcome damage reduction they get starting at level 2.
Orenmir
04-07-08, 12:06 PM Intimidating Strike (PH2) is the most promising means I've found to utilize Intimidate.

Have you checked out "Duel of Wills" from the ToB? The only downside is that it is declared before initiative - so you can only do it once per encounter. The upside is that you don't need to burn a feat.
Jay_Ibero_911
04-07-08, 03:19 PM There is also the class ability of the Avenging Executioner from Complete Scoundrel that lets you intimidate as a move action. I'm sure it's been seen before but here's an intimidate based build I put together:

Race:Human
Alignment: Any non-lawful non-good

STR-14 (6)
DEX-14 (6)
CON-14 (6)
INT-12 (4)
WIS-8 (0)
CHA-14 (6)

Lv1(Marshal)Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Skill Focus (Intimidate), Feat
Lv2(Marshal)
Lv3(Barbarian)Extra Rage
Lv4(Fighter)Power Attack, +1 CHA
Lv5(Fighter)Bonus Feat
Lv6(Ranger)Imperious Command (Drow of the Underdark)
Lv7(Avenging Executioner)
Lv8(Avenging Executioner)+1 STR
Lv9(Scarlet Corsair)Feat
Lv10(Scarlet Corsair)
Lv11(Scarlet Corsair)
Lv12(Scarlet Corsair)Feat, +1 STR
Lv13(Scarlet Corsair)
Lv14(Exemplar)

End up with the ability to always take 10 on intimidate for a total of 38 intimidate without any magic items, and the ability to intimidate all creatures within 30ft as a move action, making them cower for 1 round and be shaken for 1 round afterward (more with cha boosting items). It's a mind affecting feat affect, so there are many things that will be immune, but against things that aren't you can potentially keep them in cower lock.
ciaran
04-07-08, 06:46 PM Have you checked out "Duel of Wills" from the ToB? The only downside is that it is declared before initiative - so you can only do it once per encounter. The upside is that you don't need to burn a feat.

YES! I got to use it once on an "unfriendly", as opposed to a "hostile", NPC and avoid a fight. I'm not sure my DM would allow it before every fight but I'm still exploring. Its a very good use of the skill, as long as the enemy participates and loses. :) This stacks with the shaken condition from in-comhat intimidate.
bkdubs123
04-08-08, 03:12 AM I'm playing the Sublime Marshal, and its recovery method is a bit arduous, but there is a feat that allows me to recover my maneuvers with a swift action after successfully demoralizing a foe through use of the intimidate skill. This is why I need my swift action.

Intimidating Strike has been ruled not to work with the other feat because you are not specifically using the "demoralize an opponent" option of intimidate.

Demoralizing as a move action would be rather helpful, actually.
The_Shaman
04-08-08, 06:54 AM I remember the Champions of Valor web enhancement had 2 variant features for the CoRuin book - substitution levels for the Monk of the Dark moon and the Zhentarim Soldier. The latter got a few intimidate abilities on odd levels, and I believe at 9th could intimidate as a swift action. Considering that all of it was for free (odd levels are empty for a fighter) and the sub levels also had diplomacy and bluff as class skills, it was quite a nice little boost.

Still, 9 levels of fighter... meh. Even with the extra class skills and 2 extra abilities - SF intimidate at 3rd and extended intimidation at 5th, I probably wouldn't bother taking it so far.
1 ton ghost
04-08-08, 12:49 PM Used Intimidating Rage to decent acclaim for a Frenzied Berserker I played once. I like the fact it lingered as all normal Demoralize attempts are Standard Action and only for that round. So, it's not mechanically going to help the Intimidator per se so much as his party.

This gave rise to party casters Delaying. Essentially, full BAB type/tank moves to engage first and Intimidates (demoralize). Debuffing casters Delay action or Ready if they prefer on contingent Shaken effect so subsequent spells are more likely to land and take effect, simple. Having a prolonged Demoralized enemy just makes it easier, but I can safely say I would not have taken the feat if it were not a prereq for FB.
bkdubs123
04-08-08, 05:15 PM Anything requires non-marshall class levels isn't going to help me (Tempest Stormwind's Sublime Marshal class levels to be more exact).

I appreciate the enthusiasm, but Intimidating Rage, Zhentarim Soldier, Avenging Executioner and any other things of that nature simply won't do.
ciaran
04-09-08, 12:14 AM Sounds like you better get your bluff synergy then! :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bkdubs123 04-05-08, 02:54 AM	I could have sworn I read about a feat or skill trick or something, in some book, that allowed a character to make an Intimidate check against a single foe as a swift action. Can anyone help me out here? Can anyone think of anything that's maybe not a swift action, but faster than a Standard action?
ciaran 04-05-08, 02:14 PM	Intimidating Strike (PH2) is the most promising means I've found to utilize Intimidate.
bkdubs123 04-05-08, 03:33 PM	Thanks, that might be just what I need.
Lotus Crane 04-05-08, 03:57 PM	The CW samurai has an ability like that (doesn't change the fact that it's a terribly weak class though), as does the Zhentarim soldier alternate class feature for the fighter (found in the Champions of Valor web enhancement (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060327a)).
bkdubs123 04-05-08, 04:13 PM	Yeah, now that I mention it, I need that swift action to take advantage of the faster intimidate... lol, so even a swift action wouldn't work it'd have to be a free action, or some frightful presence sort of thing that demoralized opponents. I think Intimidating Strike might work (at least its the best shot I've got right now). Thanks guys!
Khan the Destroyer 04-07-08, 12:35 AM	There is an armor enhancement in Secrets of Sarlona I believe (or maybe Drow of the Underdark) that allows you to Intimidate a foe as a move action. Would that help? What do you need your swift action for?
RobbyPants 04-07-08, 07:59 AM	This probably isn't what you're looking for, but the Dread Necromancer base class in Heroes of Horror gets the ability to make people shaken as a free action at 5th level. What is nice about this is it stacks with the shaken effect from Intimidate, which means that by spending the free action followed by the standard action Intimidate, you can make your opponent frightened. When they run away, you get an AoO on them! Still, if you're going for a melee-build, you probably don't want to dip five levels into a casting class. :P
ciaran 04-07-08, 08:41 AM	With the right buff spells it could help. Does D.N. have good buffs?
RobbyPants 04-07-08, 10:10 AM	With the right buff spells it could help. Does D.N. have good buffs? Not a lot really. Most of them are debuffs or spells dealing with undead. There are a few damage dealing spells as well. One cool aspect is the hard to overcome damage reduction they get starting at level 2.
Orenmir 04-07-08, 12:06 PM	Intimidating Strike (PH2) is the most promising means I've found to utilize Intimidate. Have you checked out "Duel of Wills" from the ToB? The only downside is that it is declared before initiative - so you can only do it once per encounter. The upside is that you don't need to burn a feat.
Jay_Ibero_911 04-07-08, 03:19 PM	There is also the class ability of the Avenging Executioner from Complete Scoundrel that lets you intimidate as a move action. I'm sure it's been seen before but here's an intimidate based build I put together: Race:Human Alignment: Any non-lawful non-good STR-14 (6) DEX-14 (6) CON-14 (6) INT-12 (4) WIS-8 (0) CHA-14 (6) Lv1(Marshal)Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Skill Focus (Intimidate), Feat Lv2(Marshal) Lv3(Barbarian)Extra Rage Lv4(Fighter)Power Attack, +1 CHA Lv5(Fighter)Bonus Feat Lv6(Ranger)Imperious Command (Drow of the Underdark) Lv7(Avenging Executioner) Lv8(Avenging Executioner)+1 STR Lv9(Scarlet Corsair)Feat Lv10(Scarlet Corsair) Lv11(Scarlet Corsair) Lv12(Scarlet Corsair)Feat, +1 STR Lv13(Scarlet Corsair) Lv14(Exemplar) End up with the ability to always take 10 on intimidate for a total of 38 intimidate without any magic items, and the ability to intimidate all creatures within 30ft as a move action, making them cower for 1 round and be shaken for 1 round afterward (more with cha boosting items). It's a mind affecting feat affect, so there are many things that will be immune, but against things that aren't you can potentially keep them in cower lock.
ciaran 04-07-08, 06:46 PM	Have you checked out "Duel of Wills" from the ToB? The only downside is that it is declared before initiative - so you can only do it once per encounter. The upside is that you don't need to burn a feat. YES! I got to use it once on an "unfriendly", as opposed to a "hostile", NPC and avoid a fight. I'm not sure my DM would allow it before every fight but I'm still exploring. Its a very good use of the skill, as long as the enemy participates and loses. :) This stacks with the shaken condition from in-comhat intimidate.
bkdubs123 04-08-08, 03:12 AM	I'm playing the Sublime Marshal, and its recovery method is a bit arduous, but there is a feat that allows me to recover my maneuvers with a swift action after successfully demoralizing a foe through use of the intimidate skill. This is why I need my swift action. Intimidating Strike has been ruled not to work with the other feat because you are not specifically using the "demoralize an opponent" option of intimidate. Demoralizing as a move action would be rather helpful, actually.
The_Shaman 04-08-08, 06:54 AM	I remember the Champions of Valor web enhancement had 2 variant features for the CoRuin book - substitution levels for the Monk of the Dark moon and the Zhentarim Soldier. The latter got a few intimidate abilities on odd levels, and I believe at 9th could intimidate as a swift action. Considering that all of it was for free (odd levels are empty for a fighter) and the sub levels also had diplomacy and bluff as class skills, it was quite a nice little boost. Still, 9 levels of fighter... meh. Even with the extra class skills and 2 extra abilities - SF intimidate at 3rd and extended intimidation at 5th, I probably wouldn't bother taking it so far.
1 ton ghost 04-08-08, 12:49 PM	Used Intimidating Rage to decent acclaim for a Frenzied Berserker I played once. I like the fact it lingered as all normal Demoralize attempts are Standard Action and only for that round. So, it's not mechanically going to help the Intimidator per se so much as his party. This gave rise to party casters Delaying. Essentially, full BAB type/tank moves to engage first and Intimidates (demoralize). Debuffing casters Delay action or Ready if they prefer on contingent Shaken effect so subsequent spells are more likely to land and take effect, simple. Having a prolonged Demoralized enemy just makes it easier, but I can safely say I would not have taken the feat if it were not a prereq for FB.
bkdubs123 04-08-08, 05:15 PM	Anything requires non-marshall class levels isn't going to help me (Tempest Stormwind's Sublime Marshal class levels to be more exact). I appreciate the enthusiasm, but Intimidating Rage, Zhentarim Soldier, Avenging Executioner and any other things of that nature simply won't do.
ciaran 04-09-08, 12:14 AM	Sounds like you better get your bluff synergy then! :D