When do Fear Effects Stack?

[Lemmy]

So, when do fear effects stack? Can I Cornugon Smash/Intimidate someone twice to make them Frightened?

Different peoples, texts and even book entries gave me different answers.

My guess is that fear effects stack if they come from different sources (e.g.: someone is affected by Fear spell and then intimidated), but not if the 2nd effect comes from a similar source (like a double Intimidate or two Fear spells in a row).

Then again, there appears to be a few exceptions. Can anyone enlighten me on the subject?

[Lemmy]

Bump. Does anyone knows where I can at least find the answer?

[L. A. Paladin]

I think you're right in general, keeping in mind the proviso of "there appear to be a few exceptions."

If the text of the ability/feat/skill does not BAR it from stacking with an already-existing level of fear, then it should probably be allowed to. Unfortunately, this is one of those situations where a GM would have ample leeway to disagree, as there isn't an official ruling on it anywhere.

[Fatespinner]

L. A. Paladin wrote:

If the text of the ability/feat/skill does not BAR it from stacking with an already-existing level of fear, then it should probably be allowed to.

This.

Unless the effect says it doesn't stack, or that it can't take someone beyond a certain fear level, then it stacks.