Intimidation - the most useless Influence Skill?

[Collective_Restraint]

Originally Posted by Phil Masters

When you've got your foot on the goblin's chest and your sword at his throat, and you want to know how many other goblins there are in the nest...

You are not using Diplomacy.

Darn, but that's how I negotiate my raises. Are you telling me I'm not being diplomatic ? ;)

[GoodGame]

Well one thing is the difference between targeting IQ (fast talk) or targeting Will (intimidation). It's probably also GM subjectivity, but Intimidation seems to be a lasting affect while Fast-Talk is for the "snap judgements" implying you need to repeatedly use it. Also the combined 'Specious Intimidation' option (B202) that uses Intimidation+Fast Talk is something that neither skills have alone; Basically Intimidation based on a fast-talk trick.

Also, Intimidation is stated to be stackable with other users of the skill for a group effect, as an all or none effect. But there's no implication of that for Fast-Talk, so arguably Fast-Talk is a one on one use skill, taking more time to convince a crowd, and the crowd would arguably make individual resistance roles---so there should be a chance that only a fraction of the crowd is conned at one time---which could lead to some awkwardness for the player.

[Kromm]

Benefits -- many of which others have already pointed out -- include:

• Intimidation is the only Influence skill that works during action scenes, like combat and chases. Once you're there, you've automatically dismissed all other options.
  
  
• Bonuses to Intimidation come from things that adventurers do well. Some don't cost points for reaction bonuses: waving around weapons, killing, using creepy powers, etc. Others actually stem from disadvantages, such as Appearance (Monstrous), Callous, and negative-but-scary Reputations. No other Influence skill enjoys so many easy, free bonuses.
  
  
• Normally, Intimidation is the only Influence skill useful against groups.
  
  
• A good Intimidation roll can cause a Fright Check, which can produce many lasting, potent effects.

I've GMed GURPS for decades, and the rules for Influence skills haven't materially changed in that time. My hands-on experience has been that Intimidation is the most consistently useful Influence skill! The others have their niches, but Intimidation works in an adventurer's most common situation: when staring down a horde of armed bad guys who've studied on killin' you.

[JAW]

Originally Posted by Collective_Restraint

Darn, but that's how I negotiate my raises. Are you telling me I'm not being diplomatic ? ;)

Nono - you're being wery diplomatic.. Can you remowe the blade from my throat, please?

[SCHIFTY]

Originally Posted by Collective_Restraint

Darn, but that's how I negotiate my raises. Are you telling me I'm not being diplomatic ? ;)

Interesting company you work for. How's the health plan? ;)

[Collective_Restraint]

Originally Posted by SCHIFTY

Interesting company you work for. How's the health plan? ;)

Very good. All our sword wielding employees get good benefits ;)

Sword on throat = +5 Diplomacy checks

[Dalillama]

Originally Posted by Kromm

[*]Bonuses to Intimidation come from things that adventurers do well. Some don't cost points for reaction bonuses: waving around weapons, killing, using creepy powers, etc. Others actually stem from disadvantages, such as Appearance (Monstrous), Callous, and negative-but-scary Reputations. No other Influence skill enjoys so many easy, free bonuses.

I recall a character that I wrote up at one point who had got a default Intimidation skill in the 18-20 range, for being a 9-foot tall inhumanly strong monster in a society of humans who averaged 51/2 feet. The variance was based on whether he'd just done something horrible or was just walking around.

[Figleaf23]

I allow/encourage the following things with intimidation:

-use in sub-critical situations ... subtle threats, unspecific aura of menace, implied consequences

-allow a diplomacy roll in conjuction with the intimidation

-An intimidation-based combat technique: Startle - same effects as a feint, but based on Intimidation skill.

[mjj1976]

You can also try to intimidate up to 25 people at once. I don't recall if it's possible to do that with the other skills.

[rosignol]

Originally Posted by transmetahuman

To say nothing of Sex Appeal... :)

I've run into captured NPCs who tried to use that skill to convince the guard to let them go...