Intimidation
(Combat, Interrogation, Social, Subtle)
Intimidation is used to scare, frighten, or otherwise bully someone into doing what you want. It is generally opposed by Discipline.
Combat
In combat situations, Intimidation can be used to demoralize an opponent. By taking the Use a Skill action, you can initiate an opposed skill check using your Intimidation (Combat) versus the target’s Discipline (Resist Intimidation). If you win the opposed flip, your opponent gains the Dazed condition. You can only attempt to Intimidate someone in combat if they are close enough to see and hear you and only once per encounter.
| Intent | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Demoralize an opponent in combat | Opposed check versus Discipline |
| Intimidate a weaker foe | Easy (9+) |
| Intimidate a stronger foe or group | Hard (15+) |
Some potential modifiers to the check include:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Target is already frightened or injured | (shift+1) |
| Target is outnumbered by your allies | (shift+1) |
| Target is confident or has backup | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: The opponent gains the Dazed condition.
- Failure: The opponent remains unaffected.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The opponent becomes more determined and may gain a (flip+1) bonus to their next action against you.
Interrogation
Intimidation can also be used to extract information from someone. This is an opposed check using your Intimidation (Interrogation) versus the target’s Discipline (Resist Intimidation). The amount and quality of information you receive depends on how much you beat your opponent by.
| What’s Being Attempted | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Extract basic information from a compliant target | Easy (9+) |
| Interrogate a resistant target | Opposed check versus Discipline |
| Interrogate a highly resistant or trained target | Hard (15+) |
Modifiers to this check may include:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Target is isolated and vulnerable | (shift+1) |
| Interrogation takes place in a known location or headquarters | (flip+1) |
| Target has strong willpower or is under protection | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: You gain useful information from the target.
- Failure: The target refuses to provide information.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The target provides false information or becomes more resistant.
Social
This specialization is used in social situations to bluntly state what you want, bypassing the niceties of polite society.
| Situation | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Intimidate a subordinate or someone with lower status | Easy (9+) |
| Intimidate a peer or someone of equal status | Average (12+) |
| Intimidate a superior or someone with higher status | Hard (15+) |
Some modifiers include:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Social situation favors you (e.g., you are in your own territory) | (shift+1) |
| Target is in a position of power | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: You get what you want, though the relationship might suffer.
- Failure: The target refuses or pushes back.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The target reacts negatively, possibly taking further action against you.
Subtle
Sometimes the best threat is one that doesn’t seem like a threat. By using this specialization, you can strongly hint at a course of action without making it obvious that you’re coercing someone.
| What You Are Attempting | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Imply a threat subtly to a peer or equal | Average (12+) |
| Subtly threaten someone in a position of power | Hard (15+) |
| Subtly intimidate someone already suspicious | Very Hard (18+) |
Some modifiers based on circumstances could include:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Target is predisposed to fear you | (shift+1) |
| Target is highly perceptive or suspicious | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: The target takes the hinted course of action.
- Failure: The target doesn’t recognize the threat.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The target realizes your intention and may react negatively.