Intimidate skill and feats (with a blowover to Improved Feint)

[IndyPendant]

Intimidate isn't useless--but it really is a weak skill, as written. I can't get the Wizard post to accept my response--but I like the feedback I get here better, anyways. So, here's my take on that thread: some of the feats are underpowered, but most of it is way way overpowered. Still, it's given me some ideas, and I'd like to submit what I've created, based on what I read there. These changes give Intimidate more utility, but mainly give it more feasability in combat if the appropriate feats are taken. Tell me what you think, please!

Intimidate:
--A Ranger's Favoured Enemy bonus applies to Intimidate checks against appropriate targets as well.

--Interrogation: allows you to extract information out of an unwilling opponent. Interrogating a target takes at least ten minutes of interaction. The target must be restrained from leaving, already Intimidated or bound, and they receive the same bonus to resist that they would receive on a Sense Motive check to resist a Bluff: +5 if revealing the information would put them at some risk, +10 if revealing the information would put them in significant risk, and +20 if their very life depends on the secrecy of the information you want to know.

--See the Demoralize, Improved [Combat] and Demoralizing Presence [Combat] feats from my Feats file.

Demoralize, Improved [Combat]
Source: Heavily adapted from the_one_true_shea’s post, Regdar’s Repository, Wizards.COMmunity Boards.
Prerequisites: Intimidate 4 ranks.
Benefit: You can make an Intimidate check to demoralize an opponent in combat as a move action, or as an attack action. You gain a +4 bonus to your Intimidate checks to demoralize in combat.
Normal: Demoralizing an opponent in combat is a standard action.

Demoralizing Presence [Combat]
Source: Heavily adapted from the_one_true_shea’s post, Regdar’s Repository, Wizards.COMmunity Boards.
Prerequisites: Cha 13; Demoralize, Improved; Intimidate 10 ranks.
Benefit: You can make an Intimidate check to demoralize an opponent against any valid target within 30 feet, taking a –4 penalty to your check if your target is outside your threat range. In addition, any demoralize opponent check you make that exceeds your target’s resistance roll by 20 or more causes your opponent to become frightened for one round, then shaken for one round.
Normal: You can only demoralize a target within your threat range. Demoralize opponent only causes the target to be shaken for one round.

And, in addition, this got me thinking about Improved Feint. It really isn't worth a feat, as written. So I've changed it to be like Improved Demoralize. Please tell me what you think of it, as well:

Feint, Improved [Combat]
Source: Adapted from the SRD.
Prerequisites: Int 13, Combat Expertise.
Benefit: You can make a Bluff check to feint in combat as a move action, or as an attack action. You gain a +4 bonus to your Bluff checks to feint in combat.
Normal: Feinting in combat is a standard action.

 

[fuindordm]

And, in addition, this got me thinking about Improved Feint. It really isn't worth a feat, as written. So I've changed it to be like Improved Demoralize. Please tell me what you think of it, as well:

It's a great feat as written for anyone with sneak attack dice.

Allowing a feint as an attack action is too powerful--this would allow you to get sneak attack dice on your iterative attacks just by sacrificing the first attack to a feint.

On second thought, that might not be too powerful... your first attack is the most likely to hit, after all.

Hmmm... needs playtesting. It might be OK.

Ben

 

[MatthewJHanson]

It's a great feat as written for anyone with sneak attack dice.

Allowing a feint as an attack action is too powerful--this would allow you to get sneak attack dice on your iterative attacks just by sacrificing the first attack to a feint.

On second thought, that might not be too powerful... your first attack is the most likely to hit, after all.

Hmmm... needs playtesting. It might be OK.

Ben

The thing I would worry about is a rogue with two-weapon fighting.

 

[IndyPendant]

Well, a rogue with TWF requires 3 feats to use Imp Feint with it (TWF, CE, IF)--and then still has to give up an attack (or a move) to use Feint. Seems balanced to me.

And with only two responses, I'm going to assume there are no glaring, obvious faults with my new rules and incorporate them. Thanks you two. : )