Uses for Intimidate?

[Story]

Is there any way to take advantage of a high Intimidate skill without feat/class investment (no Imperious Command, etc.)? By RAW, it seems pretty much useless. You can spend a standard action to slightly nerf an enemy for one round, if you happen to be in melee range and they can see you. Is there anything useful you can actually do with the skill?

[Cerefel]

It basically functions like a short-term diplomacy, which is pretty powerful on its own...

[ShneekeyTheLost]

If you have a high intimidate skill, it would be wise to invest in feats to make it more useful. With Imperious Command, it makes an effective lockdown for non-mindless (or fear-immune) opponents.

It isn't like Diplomacy, which is godlike all on its own. It requires feat/class investment to make it come into its own. See also: Takahashi no Onisan. CW Samurai which can effectively lockdown in a 30' area from himself every turn and still take a standard action.

Most of the abuses for Diplomacy involve bringing an opponent up to Fanatic. Intimidate can only be functionally treated as 'Friendly' for a few specific purposes or a nearly meaningless debuff. So by itself, nearly worthless. With investment, can be game-breaking.

[tiercel]

Fear stacking.

While 1 round of Shaken for a standard action is weak sauce, escalating an already-shaken foe to Frightened for the duration of the previously existing fear effect is quite another thing.

(At least, as long as Rules Compendium is in play.)

Many folks who really care about Intimidate tend to because of fear escalation. (Sure, there's the obvious RP use, but as has been noted the broken Diplomacy RAW makes Intimidate look the weak cousin here.)

[Âmesang]

Speaking of the Rules Compendium, p.68 has the "Duel of Will" option which occurs before initiative is rolled and requires no action on your part; a minor, 1-round "no-save and suck" option if the opponent chooses to ignore you or submit, and a longer (though still minor) attack/damage option if the opponent fails an opposed Intimidate skill.

(The opponent's "ignore" option requires an Intimidate check on your part, but the DC's low enough that with good Charisma and an item like circlet of persuasion or scepter of obedience making it shouldn't be a problem.)

[Cerefel]

I was talking more about out of combat usage of intimidate.

[frost890]

Largely alignment based but... find a mark and intimidate him in to being like a follower. you have to keep following up to keep them in line but you can get your own goon squad of helpers. You can "ask" the locksmith for the city vault in exchange for your "protection".

[Krobar]

Use it with Aura of Terror and Adoration of the Frightful, and Diplomacy.

THAT is how you make an offer they can't refuse.