Making an intimidate / fear-based caster: how would you do it?

After seeing a post about a half-orc rogue/ranger who focused on Intimidate, I've been toying with the idea of a caster version of this. The main issue I have right now is coming up with a base class to use for this.

If you wanted to make such a character, how would you go about it? Also, would you dip into Rogue to get the Thug's frightening ability?

From the top of my head:

The Court Bard's Satire performance seems a good way to start. You could also take a look at the Accursed bloodline in UM and burn a feat (Eldritch Heritage) to get the Horrific Visage power. The Infernal Bloodline grants you a touch Attack leaving your opponent shaken.

Or the Inquisitor's Stern Gaze with a one level dip into rogue (Thug) could be nice.

I statted up an Undead Bloodline sorcerer for PFS use that everyone seemed to like - he was pretty creepy. There's one or two traits, I think, that make intimidate better as well.

Bards get fear spells as quickly as wizards, and faster than sorcerors.

With the skill points and cha for intimidation, you could do very well that way also. And since fear effects from different sources stack, you could use dazzling display to shake everyone, and then follow with a cone of fear, which will send them all packing.

After seeing a post about a half-orc rogue/ranger who focused on Intimidate, I've been toying with the idea of a caster version of this. The main issue I have right now is coming up with a base class to use for this.

If you wanted to make such a character, how would you go about it? Also, would you dip into Rogue to get the Thug's frightening ability?

Inquisitors get half their level to intimidate and the new inquisitions offer many ways to beef that up significantly.

Agreed. H-Orc Bard with Dazzling Display, toss in Skill Focus as well.

Assuming 20 point buy:

18 CHA (+4)
Intimdate Skill Rank 1 (+4)
Racial Bonus (+2)
Skill Focus: Intimidate (+3)
Bully Trait (+1)

Total: +14 at level 1

Later @ Level 2, Pick up a level of fighter; grab weapon focus.

Level 3, Back to Bard; pick up Dazzling display.

You know have a +16 to Intimidate everyone with in 30 feet. And you even havent used magic to improve on it yet.

Also note: Take the Magical Knack feat to cover the dip into fighter.

Hmmm... Im so keeping this idea for later. Im going apply to the Dverish Dance...

Cheapy wrote:

After seeing a post about a half-orc rogue/ranger who focused on Intimidate, I've been toying with the idea of a caster version of this. The main issue I have right now is coming up with a base class to use for this.

If you wanted to make such a character, how would you go about it? Also, would you dip into Rogue to get the Thug's frightening ability?

Inquisitors get half their level to intimidate and the new inquisitions offer many ways to beef that up significantly.

Actaully, upon looking; Inquistor may be the better fit after all. The GM might not like where you are going with this one. ;)

I could also see a witch build with this. Combine the bonus with Evil Eye to stack a -4 to saves.

Anyone know a good way to get intimidate as a move action for a caster?

Looks like Half-Orc Bard or Inquisitor is the way to roll to scare people out of their pants.

Bards get fear spells as quickly as wizards, and faster than sorcerors.

With the skill points and cha for intimidation, you could do very well that way also. And since fear effects from different sources stack, you could use dazzling display to shake everyone, and then follow with a cone of fear, which will send them all packing.

Why not just use Dazzling Display twice in a row and save the spell slot? It's much more likely to work, too, as the DCs to Demoralize aren't terribly high. The downside is that they typically only last for 2-4 rounds. But that's generally enough to turn the tide or obliterate the opposition.

I'm playing a Half-Orc Oracle of Battle with Intimidating Prowess & Dazzling Display, currently at level 6. Base Intimidate modifier is +18 (+3 Class Skill, +6 Ranks, +2 Racial Trait, +3 Charisma, +4 Strength). When Enlarged (self-cast), it goes up to +23 vs Medium foes. Bull's Strength (self-cast) takes it to +25. Most CR6 and under creatures have DCs of between 16 and 20.

This thread makes me want to create a fear based party.

A question - how many fear based powers witches have? I was thinking about the class for flavour and synergies with debuffs..

rkraus2 wrote:

Bards get fear spells as quickly as wizards, and faster than sorcerors.

With the skill points and cha for intimidation, you could do very well that way also. And since fear effects from different sources stack, you could use dazzling display to shake everyone, and then follow with a cone of fear, which will send them all packing.

Why not just use Dazzling Display twice in a row and save the spell slot? It's much more likely to work, too, as the DCs to Demoralize aren't terribly high. The downside is that they typically only last for 2-4 rounds. But that's generally enough to turn the tide or obliterate the opposition.

I'm playing a Half-Orc Oracle of Battle with Intimidating Prowess & Dazzling Display, currently at level 6. Base Intimidate modifier is +18 (+3 Class Skill, +6 Ranks, +2 Racial Trait, +3 Charisma, +4 Strength). When Enlarged (self-cast), it goes up to +23 vs Medium foes. Bull's Strength (self-cast) takes it to +25. Most CR6 and under creatures have DCs of between 16 and 20.

Due to some strange rule, Demoralize can't be used to go from Shaken->Frightened. And I'm not 100% sure that you can even make the Shaken from demoralized go to frightened. I think it's locked into Shakened from that source.

3.5's heroes of horror had a prestige class for a fear-based caster.

Due to some strange rule, Demoralize can't be used to go from Shaken->Frightened. And I'm not 100% sure that you can even make the Shaken from demoralized go to frightened. I think it's locked into Shakened from that source.

Where's that rule?

You can use this skill to cause your opponents to become shaken for a number of rounds. The DC of this check is equal to 10 + the target’s Hit Dice + the target’s Wisdom modifier.

Success: If you are successful, the target is shaken for one round. This duration increases by 1 round for every 5 by which you beat the DC. You can only threaten opponents in this way if they are within 30 feet and can clearly see and hear you.

Becoming Even More Fearful

Fear effects are cumulative. A shaken character who is made shaken again becomes frightened, and a shaken character who is made frightened becomes panicked instead. A frightened character who is made shaken or frightened becomes panicked instead.

Seems pretty clear -- is there an exception buried somewhere else that excludes Intimidate/Demoralize?

I based that statement off of this.

I based that statement off of this.

Interesting. Nearly 2 years later, and we still don't have this in the errata or on the FAQ page.

These decisions make Demoralize far less appealing. That FAQ says you can't upgrade Shaken from Demoralize through any means. You can't stack a Cone of Fear on top of it either.

I suppose making the BBG run away 12 seconds after he gets within 30' of a hero is problematic.

Can't a bard use Dirge of Doom + Lingering Song + a fear-inducing spell to make enemies frightened?

Dirge of Doom specifically says it can't make something go from shaken to frightened, but what if you use it first?

A 7th level bard could achieve this in one round (assuming it's legit).

I based that statement off of this.

As far as I know, that statement was for Pathfinder Society, and there has never been a general ruling on it.

Cheapy wrote:

I based that statement off of this.

As far as I know, that statement was for Pathfinder Society, and there has never been a general ruling on it.

I ended up compromising with my players on that ruling:

Intimidate checks cannot bring a Shaken creature to Frightened, but another ability can bring a creature shaken by intimidate to frightened. So, no Double Dazzling Display, but Dazzling Display + Terrifying Howl, or Demoralize + Frightening Tune are fine. But not Dirge of Doom + Dazzling Display. This last one was the one I was most worried by, as it can be a one turn => frightened with not even a save, just a skill check. The rest are at least a check + a save.

Anyway, *I think* this prevents any situation where an enemy could be frightened without a save, while still making intimidate checks very useful with the right combination abilities.