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Hey all,
I really don't like the way 3.5 handles the frightened condition. Running screaming isn't the only way to be frightened, and is a big jump from the shaken condition. I propose this:
Frightened
Fearful of a creature, situation, or object. A frightened creature acts irrationally. A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can if it is within 60 feet of that source. If unable to flee, or at over 60 feet from the source of its fear, it may act somewhat normally. A frightened creature takes a –4 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks, and acts as if staggered (only able to take a single move or standard action each round). A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.
Shaken, Freightend, Terrified.
I think that's what it should be.
Quick thought:
Shaken: some penalty to attack and skill rolls.
Freightend: more penalty, can't get near the source of fear
Terrified: can't do anything but flee in panic.
I don't like removing all options when it comes to frightened. Basically it's a loss of control on the character completely like being dominated.
I mean.. I've been in some very scary situations (situations that have threatened my life), and while running the most obviously sane, rational choice, I didn't run involuntarily. Trying to do anything other than run away was hard (to the point of body shaking, etc).
I like the idea of a massive penalty (-10 or -20 depending on the level of fear) for doing anything other than to escape. So escape is likely the best option, but it's not involuntary.
It changes it from a total dominating mind effect, to a combat debuffing with a conditional clause. The creature can remain and fight, or remain and do something (cast a spell requiring a Spellcraft check, etc), but at a very large penalty until they overcome their fear.
Now, a particular spell that's considered mind control, and not just a loss of morale, would be fine making you outright run away. But that's a mind affecting effect, not just "super duper scared". It makes sense that it's involuntary.
Morale based fear would probably work best as conditional penalties.
It seems pretty good, but I have a concern with the idea that the person must use magical means to transport themselves away if they have them. That just means that if you're a caster or you have the right magic item it is almost as bad as it was before, the only change being that you didn't just drop all your stuff. Maybe add in a Will save there?
That's just it, even if you limit it to only 60', it's still the same restrictiveness.
I'd rather you can decide to not run at all, but have a crippling penalty to any actions, or no penalty for escaping.
And once again, this would be for morale based fear stuff. Mind affecting is mind affecting. A dominate spell could make you use up a spell or charge, etc, so I see no problem in a Fear spell doing the same.
However, a morale effect fits better with giving the choice to the player (or even monster) as long as it's clearly a 100% of time better choice to escape. At least you aren't doing anything involuntarily.
As I posted, I would call this stat of fear (with running away):
Terrified (not freightend). I think it would be a good name and fits to the effect.