Understanding Barbarian's Intimidate

[KeyIXTheHermit]

Up until now I've been using older versions of C&C with the older Barbarian rules, but now we've upgraded to the later rules and I have my first player who wants to play a Barbarian... and I'm already stuck on something. Specifically, I'm stuck on the Intimidate rule.

"Any creature of equal or lesser hit dice of the barbarian who fails a charisma check suffers -2 to all rolls.... This ability takes effect as soon as the barbarian uses the ability, and it has a 15 foot radius area of effect. At 1st level, a barbarian can intimidate one creature. [...] ...and up to 16 creatures at 15th level."

I am so confused my head is spinning. Okay, so at first level, the barbarian can intimidate one creature... per day? No, that doesn't make sense, unless, like, his war paint wears off after the first intimidate. So, per battle? Like, per combat encounter? Or can he just do it as much as he wants? Say, a 1st level Barbarian is beset upon by three Orcs. So, he does intimidate on one of them and it succeeds, so that one Orc is at -2. Can the Barbarian try it again on another one?

Also, how long does it last? Is the creature intimidated for the rest of the battle? Or does he shake it off after one combat round? And if he does, can the Barbarian attempt to re-intimidate him?

And when the Barbarian uses this ability, is it a free action? Does he still get his attack this round? Or does he not get an attack? The radius of the effect is only 15 feet, so unless the creatures have all already had their turn, they can move up on him right after he does the effect. For that matter, he could, presumably, do the Intimidate and then move the 15 up to attack the creature... unless, of course, the barbarian doesn't get his attack in the same round he does an intimidate.

And, also, to be sure I'm reading this right, can a 15th level barbarian really intimidate 16 Chimera? (Chimeras? Chimerae?) I mean, I doubt there'd be 16 Chimera all within 15 feet of him, but if there were, he could intimidate them? For that matter, can he intimidate 16 Orcs at 15th level? Because that's a lot of Orcs, and I'd think that, intimidating or not, that many of them would think they could take him.

As you can see, I'm really not getting this Intimidation rule. Whether or not any of the other rules get me as utterly lost, I don't know yet. I hope not.

Bonus question: Off topic, my Barbarian also wants to use that weapon that's a spikey ball on a chain. Some games call that a Morningstar, while others call it a Flail. To me, it was always a Morningstar, but now I see Morningstar used to mean the spikey ball but now "on a steek" as Jose Jalapeno might say. So, does anyone know how C&C uses each term? Is the spikey ball on a chain a Morningstar or a Flail in this game?

Thanks, folks!

[alcyone]

I am so confused my head is spinning. Okay, so at first level, the barbarian can intimidate one creature... per day? No, that doesn't make sense, unless, like, his war paint wears off after the first intimidate. So, per battle? Like, per combat encounter? Or can he just do it as much as he wants? Say, a 1st level Barbarian is beset upon by three Orcs. So, he does intimidate on one of them and it succeeds, so that one Orc is at -2. Can the Barbarian try it again on another one?

From the latest printing, it must be announced before rolling initiative (whether that is the first initiative of the battle or any subsequent initiative is not clear).
It also goes on to say that Intimidate is usable only once per combat encounter.

Also, how long does it last? Is the creature intimidated for the rest of the battle? Or does he shake it off after one combat round? And if he does, can the Barbarian attempt to re-intimidate him?

The intimidation ends the moment the barbarian fails to strike the intimidated creature.
If there are multiple creatures, it's up to the CK how it works, but in line with other Barbarian abilities I'd require that the Barbarian attempt to fight at least one of the intimidated foes every round or lose the effect.

And when the Barbarian uses this ability, is it a free action? Does he still get his attack this round? Or does he not get an attack? The radius of the effect is only 15 feet, so unless the creatures have all already had their turn, they can move up on him right after he does the effect. For that matter, he could, presumably, do the Intimidate and then move the 15 up to attack the creature... unless, of course, the barbarian doesn't get his attack in the same round he does an intimidate.

Since it's announced before rolling initiative, I think it would be fair to allow the Barbarian to act on his or her initiative count.

And, also, to be sure I'm reading this right, can a 15th level barbarian really intimidate 16 Chimera? (Chimeras? Chimerae?) I mean, I doubt there'd be 16 Chimera all within 15 feet of him, but if there were, he could intimidate them? For that matter, can he intimidate 16 Orcs at 15th level? Because that's a lot of Orcs, and I'd think that, intimidating or not, that many of them would think they could take him.

If they all fit within a 15 foot radius, and the barbarian makes his Charisma check against each of them, presumably at a CL equal to their HD. (Though you could choose to be nice and do one roll per type or group. Or just roll against the highest HD.)

As you can see, I'm really not getting this Intimidation rule. Whether or not any of the other rules get me as utterly lost, I don't know yet. I hope not.

You may want to invest in the 6th printing PDF, which is certainly the clearest and most consistent text. Though we're happy to clarify.

Bonus question: Off topic, my Barbarian also wants to use that weapon that's a spikey ball on a chain. Some games call that a Morningstar, while others call it a Flail. To me, it was always a Morningstar, but now I see Morningstar used to mean the spikey ball but now "on a steek" as Jose Jalapeno might say. So, does anyone know how C&C uses each term? Is the spikey ball on a chain a Morningstar or a Flail in this game?

Thanks, folks!

If it's not described, it can be whatever you want; lots of weapons have localized names. But I call a ball on a chain a flail.

[alcyone]

Just as an aside, and with all due respect to those who brought us the game, it's sometimes useful to picture two drunk brothers, fresh from trying to punch each other out or emerging bloodied from some ill-fated dare, sitting down and writing this game with their equally drunk buddies.

That we got anything coherent at all is a wonder, but the point is, do you want these drunk brothers to tell you what to do? Hell no!

So don't ever assume the rules need to be a certain way, and don't ever worry about what a flatchet actually is, or that deciding it's a kind of umbrella with a cheese knife is going to break anything. It's not really that kind of game. The equipment list contains a walrus. Quod erat demonstrandum.

[Rigon]

Here is the wording from my 6th printing:

INTIMIDATE (CONSTITUTION): Barbarians offer an
imposing display of ferocious raw power. They instinctively
realize that victory lies in the wine-besotted, soft demeanors of
their foe and that brute force works best when combined with
overwhelming terror. Barbarians are able to project themselves
as this brutal, terrifying force. Whether through sheer force of
will, or savage decorum, a barbarian is able to strike fear into and
intimidate his opponents. While attacking and upon a successful
constitution check any creature of equal or lesser hit dice of
the barbarian suffers -2 to all rolls, including but not limited
to initiative, attack, damage and attribute checks. This ability
takes effect as soon as the barbarian uses the ability. He must
announce it before rolling initiative. It has a 15 foot radius area
of effect. Intimidate is usable only once per combat encounter.
At 1st level, a barbarian can intimidate one creature. The
number of creatures intimidated increases with level as follows:
up to 2 creatures at 3rd level, up to 4 creatures at 6th level, up
to 8 creatures at 10th level, and up to 16 creatures at 15th level.
The intimidation ends the moment the barbarian fails to strike
the intimidated creature.

R-

[KeyIXTheHermit]

Sometimes, even though I guess I should be used to it by now, I'm amazed at how everybody is so nice here, and never condescending. This board should be the model that all other boards should strive to be.

Thanks very much for the rules clarifications and explanations. There's a really good bunch of folks here.

[Rigon]

We try.

R-

[serleran]

So don't ever assume the rules need to be a certain way, and don't ever worry about what a flatchet actually is, or that deciding it's a kind of umbrella with a cheese knife is going to break anything. It's not really that kind of game. The equipment list contains a walrus. Quod erat demonstrandum.

Some of the stuff included is from conversations and demonstrations at conventions. I believe the inclusion of the walrus, and I could be wrong, was due to a comment from Rhuvein. Other stuff, like the flatchet, is just because the Trolls know some stuff and want to use what they know.

Explanations of the items have been provided before, but it would have been nice to have it in the book... despite it increasing the page count and, likely, price.

[Captain_K]

-2 to all rolls is 10%, not the end of the world. Decide how long it lasts and get on with it.. they're nervous about this crazy warrior or they're standing back from the stink that is a barbarian who does not believe in bathing.. your call.

[serleran]

It is relatively easy to intimidate a mass of creatures, if one considers group mind or mob mentality. It happens in real life with sentient humans all the time and is a current hot topic.

I personally allow the ability to extend a number of feet equal to the barbarian's Strength or Charisma (chosen at creation) times 10 so it can encompass a larger area to make it actually useful instead of potentially. However, what it takes to be considered intimidating can change relative to what is being affected... what scares an orc and what threatens a black pudding are completely different. Oh, and halflings are never affected, thanks to immunity to fear.

[serleran]

-2 to all rolls is 10%, not the end of the world. Decide how long it lasts and get on with it.. they're nervous about this crazy warrior or they're standing back from the stink that is a barbarian who does not believe in bathing.. your call.

To all rolls is significant. It even modifies ability to penetrate SR. What else does that?