Pathfinder cynical ear trait, my HD in intimidate check?

[Banaticus]

Let me see if I have this right, having cynical ear effectively gives others a -2 penalty on their intimidate checks against me?

[duboisjf]

Well I think the DC is two higher but it's about the same.

[Yanisa]

Well if a NPC would intimidate you, he would need to make a intimidate check vs a DC, which is 10 + your Hit Dice + your Wisdom modifier.

So basically it is the same as if enemies would have a -2 penalty on their check, but there might be some other Hit Dice related intimidate stuff out there... Who knows, it's confusingly worded for the sake of confusing.

[Banaticus]

Thanks. I was building an intimidating Pathfinder character and I saw that trait and was about to take it, but then when I went to check I couldn't find reference to HD anywhere in intimidate except for the DC you try to hit with it.

[Yanisa]

If you want a trait that gives you +2 intimidate on your checks that works against everyone, I present Steel Skin (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/combat-traits/steel-skin)... you do need to wear a helmet though...

So yeah, most of the traits give you +1 at best, or a +2 vs a specific group. (A very good specific one is Masterful Demeanor (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/race-traits/masterful-demeanor-human), which gives +3 against non human humanoid races.)

Happy Intimidating.