Taking prisoners with Intimidate - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Taking prisoners with Intimidate

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
fey_feline
Sep 12, 2010 17:50:18 Playing my crazy Drow Ardent with my group, running through KotS. I've been (ab)using the Intimdate a Bloodied foe rule quite a bit, chasing off three kobolds and amking another two our poor minions.

Is this alright, or am I f-ing up my DM's game?
#2
salla
Sep 12, 2010 18:25:06 There's only one way to find out. At the next session, before you start, ask if your use of Intimidate is effing up the game. Different games have different expectations for that sort of thing.
#3
tubaman
Sep 13, 2010 11:01:57 additionally, YOU should remind your DM (in case he/she doesn't know, doesn't remember, or is unwilling to make the decision) that he/she has final say so in how that works. Remind your DM that monsters don't have to give up. A successful skill check vs. a DC is mutable, outcomes happen depending on what benefits the story (also, the DC for a successful intimidate is vs. will +10 of the monster i believe, AND can an should be modified by things such as monster home turf and number of allies in the vicinity)

If there is one bloodied kobold and his 6 friends in the fight are undamaged, the DM probably shouldn't allow you to force him to surrendur.

If the kobold is the last one standing and is bloodied, then sure, allow him to be captured. If, however, he's the 17th captured kobold, then at this point the DM should consider 1. that this Kobold has ABSOLUTELY no new information, 2. that 17 v 5 is starting to look like pretty good odds, and 3. that he/she may need to call a time out and ask you why things are still being taken prisoner, what your intentions are, and maybe consider his/her own stance on certain races....if kobolds are irrevocably evil, then make that known to the players....after the party questions 1 or 2 kobolds, there is no more need for prisoners.

For YOUR part, you need to take a step back and see if your intimidation of the monsters is adding to the game in any way (remember the players AND the DM have to have fun).

as always, Salla's advice is generally great advice and you should also DEFINITELY do that.
#4
FlashbackJon
Sep 13, 2010 13:28:06 Expanding a little, if your DM wants to allow it, but wants suggestions on how to prevent it from breaking his encounters, have him stop into the "What's a DM to do?" forum. There's a weekly thread on dealing with Intimidate-oriented tactics.
#5
miarra
Sep 15, 2010 13:00:53 I'm about to run KotS, and I believe somewhere early on (in the first encounter, if I recall correctly) the tactics for the kobalds state that they fight to the death.
I would think that bypasses an Intimidate on a bloodied foe, but perhaps that's just my interpretation.

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Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 fey_feline Sep 12, 2010 17:50:18	Playing my crazy Drow Ardent with my group, running through KotS. I've been (ab)using the Intimdate a Bloodied foe rule quite a bit, chasing off three kobolds and amking another two our poor minions. Is this alright, or am I f-ing up my DM's game?
#2 salla Sep 12, 2010 18:25:06	There's only one way to find out. At the next session, before you start, ask if your use of Intimidate is effing up the game. Different games have different expectations for that sort of thing.
#3 tubaman Sep 13, 2010 11:01:57	additionally, YOU should remind your DM (in case he/she doesn't know, doesn't remember, or is unwilling to make the decision) that he/she has final say so in how that works. Remind your DM that monsters don't have to give up. A successful skill check vs. a DC is mutable, outcomes happen depending on what benefits the story (also, the DC for a successful intimidate is vs. will +10 of the monster i believe, AND can an should be modified by things such as monster home turf and number of allies in the vicinity) If there is one bloodied kobold and his 6 friends in the fight are undamaged, the DM probably shouldn't allow you to force him to surrendur. If the kobold is the last one standing and is bloodied, then sure, allow him to be captured. If, however, he's the 17th captured kobold, then at this point the DM should consider 1. that this Kobold has ABSOLUTELY no new information, 2. that 17 v 5 is starting to look like pretty good odds, and 3. that he/she may need to call a time out and ask you why things are still being taken prisoner, what your intentions are, and maybe consider his/her own stance on certain races....if kobolds are irrevocably evil, then make that known to the players....after the party questions 1 or 2 kobolds, there is no more need for prisoners. For YOUR part, you need to take a step back and see if your intimidation of the monsters is adding to the game in any way (remember the players AND the DM have to have fun). as always, Salla's advice is generally great advice and you should also DEFINITELY do that.
#4 FlashbackJon Sep 13, 2010 13:28:06	Expanding a little, if your DM wants to allow it, but wants suggestions on how to prevent it from breaking his encounters, have him stop into the "What's a DM to do?" forum. There's a weekly thread on dealing with Intimidate-oriented tactics.
#5 miarra Sep 15, 2010 13:00:53	I'm about to run KotS, and I believe somewhere early on (in the first encounter, if I recall correctly) the tactics for the kobalds state that they fight to the death. I would think that bypasses an Intimidate on a bloodied foe, but perhaps that's just my interpretation. - - -