How devastating is "Fear" effect in this game?

[Asceptor]

For my tank, I would like to go 8 Aldori, 7 Duelist, 2 Scaled Fist, 2 Paladin... and either paladin 3 for Aura of Courage (fear immunity) or Thug 1 for 1d6 sneak attack (can up to 2d6 with accomplished sneak attacker). My question is how strong is fear in the late game. And how often do you encounter enemies who can cause fear? Thanks in advance.

[wendigo211]

It's pretty strong up to 5th level. I don't recall seeing too many enemies using it later on.

[Straph]

Fear of any kind in a real time game is the worst thing that can happen to you. Since it goes off the spells in the table top you could be looking at a minimum of 6 seconds, and all the way to 30+ seconds of no combat. The worst part is most mobs that can cast it will cast it like it's water out of the tap in the early game and you can TPK if you don't make those saves.

Keep in mind this is all on normal mode, though typically the higher level mobs don't have it. It kind of breaks the game in the higher levels when one player is out of commision for the fight.

[Asceptor]

Originally posted by Straph:

Fear of any kind in a real time game is the worst thing that can happen to you. Since it goes off the spells in the table top you could be looking at a minimum of 6 seconds, and all the way to 30+ seconds of no combat. The worst part is most mobs that can cast it will cast it like it's water out of the tap in the early game and you can TPK if you don't make those saves.

Keep in mind this is all on normal mode, though typically the higher level mobs don't have it. It kind of breaks the game in the higher levels when one player is out of commision for the fight.

Makes sense. I guess I will just pick thug for more damage since it is less situational compare to fear immunity Thanks :)

[TaKo]

it isnt unless you're going solo without some form of fear immunity buff

[Morgian]

There are several sources for fear, some of which are hard to counter.
- the low level spells scare and cause fear, which become ineffective past 6 HD
- the actual fear spell, which is not in game
- monster abilities (troll bite can cause fright)
-etc.

A troll bit my monk in the troll castle. He failed the save and ran around the yard until the effect ended, which must have been a minute or so. The point is, that there are unexpected fear effects which may require preparation. The spell remove fear might help in emergencies, depending on the coding.

[Aeros of the North]

Fear can be pretty devestating, especially if you're unlucky and it catches multiple members of your party. An early game example is Viscount Smoulderburn at the Old Sycamore. Plenty of people have wiped due to running into this little bastard.

Another good example is Vordakai. Not only does he have a fear aura that debuffs anyone who doesn't make the save, but during the second stage of the fight (if you have Tristian with you), he can cast a fear aoe that can wreak havoc with your party. I had to reload once after all of my frontliners got hit with fear and started running around, as Vordakai finished off my spellcasters and then proceeded to pick everyone else off one by one.

[Asceptor]

Originally posted by Aeros of the North:

Fear can be pretty devestating, especially if you're unlucky and it catches multiple members of your party. An early game example is Viscount Smoulderburn at the Old Sycamore. Plenty of people have wiped due to running into this little bastard.

Another good example is Vordakai. Not only does he have a fear aura that debuffs anyone who doesn't make the save, but during the second stage of the fight (if you have Tristian with you), he can cast a fear aoe that can wreak havoc with your party. I had to reload once after all of my frontliners got hit with fear and started running around, as Vordakai finished off my spellcasters and then proceeded to pick everyone else off one by one.

Hmm... thanks for your imput. I guess it comes down to whether getting ~2d6 dmg is more advantageous than having a save that only works in a few scenarios where my whole party can get wiped. I think I'll play it safe and stick to the later.

[xunlaiAgent]

Fear is strong in this game. I have several slots used on the fear spell on my character. If you take immunity against fear for your tank, it also means your casters can use the fear spell without worrying about fearing the tank. That can be very useful.

[corisai]

Do you know that current max level ~17 without abusing anything or cheating?

How scary fear is mostly depend on your setup - how low Will saves they will have.

[Sotanaht]

At level 7 or 8 (depending on charisma bonus spells) a Paladin can memorize the spell "greater aura of courage". This spell is paladin-only, and grants full fear immunity to all party members within 10 feet of the paladin. The radius is kind of tight (only 10ft and they have to stay in that radius to keep the effect), but it's great for melee, or you can bunch up your group if you know you need to worry about Fear. The spell lasts for 10mins/level, so you only have to cast it once.

Obviously you aren't going to be having 8 levels of paladin on that character, but you could always have a paladin in your group. A hospitaliar as designated-healer perhaps?

[khinra]

Originally posted by corisai:

Do you know that current max level ~17 without abusing anything or cheating?

How scary fear is mostly depend on your setup - how low Will saves they will have.

There are mdos that increase xp gained, you can achieve lvl 20.

To OP there are some fights in the end that can be VERY difficult if you cant handle fear outside of praying for good save rolls.

[corisai]

Originally posted by khinra:

There are mdos that increase xp gained, you can achieve lvl 20.

This what I was mentioned as "cheating".

[BoMbY]

My Valerie is scaring away everything which isn't immune, but the effect from the Thug ability lasts only one round max.

[HTakara]

remove fear spell lasts almost forever until you rest, and it's a 1st tier spell, fear was never an issue for me when i first realized how many enemies use that spell.