You'd have to ask them for clarification, the only context I can think of is Rules-as-Written (RAW) Intimidation (which would just be their Charisma Modifier + any proficiencies they get in Intimidation, if any). They might be talking about using alternate stats to Charisma such as Strength to make the Intimidation check. Quote the Basic Rules,
"Normally, your proficiency in a skill applies only to a specific kind of ability check. Proficiency in Athletics, for example, usually applies to Strength checks. In some situations, though, your proficiency might reasonably apply to a different kind of check. In such cases, the DM might ask for a check using an unusual combination of ability and skill, or you might ask your DM if you can apply a proficiency to a different check. For example, if you have to swim from an offshore island to the mainland, your DM might call for a Constitution check to see if you have the stamina to make it that far. In this case, your DM might allow you to apply your proficiency in Athletics and ask for a Constitution (Athletics) check. So if you're proficient in Athletics, you apply your proficiency bonus to the Constitution check just as you would normally do for a Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, when your half-‐‑orc barbarian uses a display of raw strength to intimidate an enemy, your DM might ask for a Strength (Intimidation) check, even though Intimidation is normally associated with Charisma." Emphasis my own.
Zero is the most important number in D&D: Session Zero sets the boundaries and the tone; Rule Zero dictates the Dungeon Master (DM) is the final arbiter; and Zero D&D is better than Bad D&D.
"Let us speak plainly now, and in earnest, for words mean little without the weight of conviction."
How long does it take to make an Intimidation skill check? A fighter champion keeps claiming it is a bonus action and tries to use Intimidation all the time in every fight with humanoids or intelligent monsters. So all opponents end up frightened and have disadvantage to attack??? I am guessing google says it is a bonus action some how.
How long does it take to make an Intimidation skill check? A fighter champion keeps claiming it is a bonus action and tries to use Intimidation all the time in every fight with humanoids or intelligent monsters. So all opponents end up frightened and have disadvantage to attack??? I am guessing google says it is a bonus action some how.
The action required to make an intimidation check is undefined. The consequences of doing so are also undefined. There is certainly no rule that allows you to use it to apply frightened.
How long does it take to make an Intimidation skill check? A fighter champion keeps claiming it is a bonus action and tries to use Intimidation all the time in every fight with humanoids or intelligent monsters. So all opponents end up frightened and have disadvantage to attack??? I am guessing google says it is a bonus action some how.
In addition to what Pantagruel666 wrote, as a general rule players don’t get to say when their characters use a skill to make a check. Players describe their characters’ actions, and it’s the DM who decides whether or not a skill check is warranted and what the outcome might be. The closest a Player typically* gets to stating they want to make a check is asking if they can make a check to accomplish a goal, and what kind. *(I say “typically” because the exception is usually stating they want to make a Wisdom (Insight) check because deciding one is actively reading someone else to decide whether or not to call 🐂💩 on them is a thing.)
In addition to what Pantagruel666 wrote, as a general rule players don’t get to say when their characters use a skill to make a check.
You can declare you are using a skill to make a check whenever you take an action that has a specific skill check involved -- for example, if you attempt to grapple or shove -- in which case you gain whatever effects are defined for that action. However, in any situation where the rules don't specify you're taking an Improvised Action (DDB doesn't actually let me link to that box, but it should be visible here) and the DM decides what, if any, rolls you have to make, what action it takes, and what the results of success or failure are.
In addition to what Pantagruel666 wrote, as a general rule players don’t get to say when their characters use a skill to make a check.
You can declare you are using a skill to make a check whenever you take an action that has a specific skill check involved -- for example, if you attempt to grapple or shove -- in which case you gain whatever effects are defined for that action. However, in any situation where the rules don't specify you're taking an Improvised Action (DDB doesn't actually let me link to that box, but it should be visible here) and the DM decides what, if any, rolls you have to make, what action it takes, and what the results of success or failure are.
No. The player doesn’t say “I make a grapple check.” The player says “I want to grab that guy.” It’s the DM who says “Then make your check.” Yes, everyone knows that when the player declared their action that would probably result in a check being called for, but the player describes the action, it’s the DM that determines if a check is called for or not because they may decide it’s an automatic success or failure and that no check is required/allowed. (After all, the “guy” might be immune to being grappled or something.)
The thing is eventually any GM is going to pull the many monsters are intimidating and frightening.
Monsters that terrify people use the Frightful Presence power, not Intimidate. PCs may have spells or class abilities (e.g. Oath of Conquest Paladin) with similar effects.
The thing is eventually any GM is going to pull the many monsters are intimidating and frightening.
Monsters that terrify people use the Frightful Presence power, not Intimidate. PCs may have spells or class abilities (e.g. Oath of Conquest Paladin) with similar effects.
I can totally understand an ordinary commoner being frightened by monsters, but if you're an adventurer who has made a career out of fighting terrifying things, you're unlikely to be mechanically frightened by them. Intimidation is a social skill, not a combat skill.
However, an intimidation check could certainly be used to stop a fight early on, or to convince a badly beaten foe to back down. Even then, however, I would say that calling for a parley with intimidation is probably a full action, not something you can just do for free.
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Panda-wat (I hate my username) is somehow convinced that he is objectively right about everything D&D related even though he obviously is not. Considering that, he'd probably make a great D&D youtuber.
"If I die, I can live with that." ~Luke Hart, the DM lair
How long does it take to make an Intimidation skill check? A fighter champion keeps claiming it is a bonus action and tries to use Intimidation all the time in every fight with humanoids or intelligent monsters. So all opponents end up frightened and have disadvantage to attack??? I am guessing google says it is a bonus action some how.
Earlier editions (3.5 maybe, definitely PF) allowed Intimidation to do certain things in combat, but those rules are not in 5E.
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One of my players asked me to use raw intimidation, what does that mean?
Mythology Master
You'd have to ask them for clarification, the only context I can think of is Rules-as-Written (RAW) Intimidation (which would just be their Charisma Modifier + any proficiencies they get in Intimidation, if any). They might be talking about using alternate stats to Charisma such as Strength to make the Intimidation check. Quote the Basic Rules,
"Normally, your proficiency in a skill applies only to a specific kind of ability check. Proficiency in Athletics, for example, usually applies to Strength checks. In some situations, though, your proficiency might reasonably apply to a different kind of check. In such cases, the DM might ask for a check using an unusual combination of ability and skill, or you might ask your DM if you can apply a proficiency to a different check. For example, if you have to swim from an offshore island to the mainland, your DM might call for a Constitution check to see if you have the stamina to make it that far. In this case, your DM might allow you to apply your proficiency in Athletics and ask for a Constitution (Athletics) check. So if you're proficient in Athletics, you apply your proficiency bonus to the Constitution check just as you would normally do for a Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, when your half-‐‑orc barbarian uses a display of raw strength to intimidate an enemy, your DM might ask for a Strength (Intimidation) check, even though Intimidation is normally associated with Charisma." Emphasis my own.
Zero is the most important number in D&D: Session Zero sets the boundaries and the tone; Rule Zero dictates the Dungeon Master (DM) is the final arbiter; and Zero D&D is better than Bad D&D.
"Let us speak plainly now, and in earnest, for words mean little without the weight of conviction."
- The Assemblage of Houses, World of Warcraft
Maybe a good question is, how are you handling intimidation checks currently?
Sounds like they are asking you to read the rules around Intimidation in the Players Handbook. Chapter 7 covers ability checks.
And then you can decide if you want to use those rules.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
How long does it take to make an Intimidation skill check?
A fighter champion keeps claiming it is a bonus action and tries to use Intimidation all the time in every fight with humanoids or intelligent monsters. So all opponents end up frightened and have disadvantage to attack???
I am guessing google says it is a bonus action some how.
The action required to make an intimidation check is undefined. The consequences of doing so are also undefined. There is certainly no rule that allows you to use it to apply frightened.
In addition to what Pantagruel666 wrote, as a general rule players don’t get to say when their characters use a skill to make a check. Players describe their characters’ actions, and it’s the DM who decides whether or not a skill check is warranted and what the outcome might be. The closest a Player typically* gets to stating they want to make a check is asking if they can make a check to accomplish a goal, and what kind.
*(I say “typically” because the exception is usually stating they want to make a Wisdom (Insight) check because deciding one is actively reading someone else to decide whether or not to call 🐂💩 on them is a thing.)
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You can declare you are using a skill to make a check whenever you take an action that has a specific skill check involved -- for example, if you attempt to grapple or shove -- in which case you gain whatever effects are defined for that action. However, in any situation where the rules don't specify you're taking an Improvised Action (DDB doesn't actually let me link to that box, but it should be visible here) and the DM decides what, if any, rolls you have to make, what action it takes, and what the results of success or failure are.
No. The player doesn’t say “I make a grapple check.” The player says “I want to grab that guy.” It’s the DM who says “Then make your check.” Yes, everyone knows that when the player declared their action that would probably result in a check being called for, but the player describes the action, it’s the DM that determines if a check is called for or not because they may decide it’s an automatic success or failure and that no check is required/allowed. (After all, the “guy” might be immune to being grappled or something.)
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
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The thing is eventually any GM is going to pull the many monsters are intimidating and frightening.
Monsters that terrify people use the Frightful Presence power, not Intimidate. PCs may have spells or class abilities (e.g. Oath of Conquest Paladin) with similar effects.
I can totally understand an ordinary commoner being frightened by monsters, but if you're an adventurer who has made a career out of fighting terrifying things, you're unlikely to be mechanically frightened by them. Intimidation is a social skill, not a combat skill.
However, an intimidation check could certainly be used to stop a fight early on, or to convince a badly beaten foe to back down. Even then, however, I would say that calling for a parley with intimidation is probably a full action, not something you can just do for free.
Panda-wat (I hate my username) is somehow convinced that he is objectively right about everything D&D related even though he obviously is not. Considering that, he'd probably make a great D&D youtuber.
"If I die, I can live with that." ~Luke Hart, the DM lair
Earlier editions (3.5 maybe, definitely PF) allowed Intimidation to do certain things in combat, but those rules are not in 5E.