Fearsome FP or not....that is the question

[Velorn]

Hi All,

My main Velorn recently pulled a set of +3 Fearsome Mithral Full Plate. He already wears +5 Mithral Full Plate (standing AC = 47). Is wearing the +3 Fearsome at a disadvantage over the +5 plain set simply because of a mere -2 to AC? More importantly, should the party be informed that I'm wearing Fearsome armor and that we may have to chase down some mobs? I seem to remember reading a while back some discussion on the pros and cons of wearing such armor.

Would it be more situational, for example, on a quest where you aren't going for conquest and you don't care if they run away...like in zerg runs. Or is the Fearsome part of it something I need learn the ins and outs of when and how to use it effectively. Like using the fearsome set in a quest where the mobs can't run too far away.

Thanks for your insight

[Laith]

at the very least, you don't need fearsome on quests populated primarily with undead.

...as they (and some other monsters) are immune.

Personally, i don't see the problem with fearsome on tanks. People complain about having to chase down mobs, and my general response is "don't!" In the end, the monster's gonna come back fairly soon. Find another target.

[Beherit_Baphomar]

Fearsome armour owns. Dont listen to the people who are about to tell you it sucks, you have to chase down mobs blahblahblah.

Id say a good portion of the time mobs are feared they stand motionless. I wouldnt trade my fearsome armour for anything.

Most important thing is, does it look better than your +5? If yes then no question.

Your AC is kinda getting up there. 47 is a decent number that can be improved with buffs/raid items etc. so it is something
to think about.

Do you find yourself being hit alot? If so go fearsome and dont worry about AC.

If you are happy with your AC and you dont get hit very often then stick with your +5.

Personally, Id choose the fearsome every time. I suggest you try it out for a week, one week man! Try it.

[Beherit_Baphomar]

at the very least, you don't need fearsome on quests populated primarily with undead.

...as they (and some other monsters) are immune.

This is also try, get yerself a good elemental guard plate for those pesky undead.

[Khyron]

I'd say it's purely situational. Fearsome is great for soloing or when you just don't want to pick a fight. But in general I think fearsome can be a pain when critters goes running off when you've got a crew with you.

[Xaymaca]

It can go both ways. Sure you're giving up 2 more AC points, but now you are getting hit more and the fear affect gets triggered more.

[Laith]

It can go both ways. Sure you're giving up 2 more AC points, but now you are getting hit more and the fear affect gets triggered more.

even if they save vs fear, they're getting -2 to hit and -2 to saves.

-2 to hit on an enemy sounds an awful lot like +2 AC to me...

[DragonKiller]

My question would be... can your character stand the heat? If you can sit in the heat of battle with little to no outside healing help and walk out of the fight surrounded by dead bodies than the answer is no, don't use fearsome. However if you can't stand the heat (at least for very long) then fearsome is a way to control the temperature.

I don't use fearsome on my Pally because between his hit points (over 300), AC, weapons, and self healing abilities he can stand in the fire for a long time and come out on top. However, my ranger only has a little over 200 hit points and a lower ac (when TWF/Ranging) on him I put on a fearsome robe and have noticed him being a lot more "cleric friendly" (trust me the wife bit-chhhy at me when shes clericing and I'm being squishy).

Also fearsome is awesome on casters and clerics, you shouldn't adventure with out it (IMHO).

[Velorn]

even if they save vs fear, they're getting -2 to hit and -2 to saves.

-2 to hit on an enemy sounds an awful lot like +2 AC to me...

Good Point Laith

To Beherit...To make a long story short...Velorn was retired for over 5 months...and resurrected 3 weeks ago. I'm not so much concerned with getting hit (Minos Legens Helm) as I used to be. After 4 shards, a few weeks tweaking my enhancements, the looting of some pretty nice gear and the realization that I can use rez, recitation and restore scrolls, I'm quite satisfied with the results considering how badly mucked up he was before the transformation. I've seen my AC hit 56 with the right party members.

Both sets of armor look sweet and I'm quite comfortable in them both. Spiked shoulders and a piercing right foot on each set. I'm going to try the armor out on my guildies for a week or 2....ROFL

[vyvy3369]

Fearsome actually works fairly well, and I've been using it on my paladin tank for a while now. Instead of armor though, maybe you should try the Emerald Claw necklace - +11 Intimidate & Diplomacy, Fearsome, and 3 charges of Symbol of Fear. The things that get feared generally don't even run off too far, usually just to a nearby wall and stand there.

[binnsr]

Also fearsome is awesome on casters and clerics, you shouldn't adventure with out it (IMHO).

I used fearsome on my cleric until she got some dragon armor.. was even downgraded to +3 fearsome half-plate from +3 fearsome fp for a while because it looked good

[captain1z]

I have recently discovered the wonders of fearsome armor.

My sorc wears it and my fighter wears it.


The differenc in my fighters AC is only 2 and it:

-stops them from hitting me more than twice
-makes them easier to kill after they hit me because they just stand there and take it


If the quest is dominated by undead types I throw on +5 fullplate for the duration of the quest..... otherwise, please do me a favor...................

"I want you to hit me as hard as you can" (tm)

[Tanka]

"I want you to hit me as hard as you can" (tm)

"You hit me in the ear!"

On topic: I love my Fearsome armors. With an AC close to "I may as well be naked," it can mean the difference between getting spam attacked and getting hit a few times and then watching them cower in fear.

Another bonus of the Fearsome effect, that -2 to saves means casters can insta-kill them easier.

[sirgog]

Fearsome actually works fairly well, and I've been using it on my paladin tank for a while now. Instead of armor though, maybe you should try the Emerald Claw necklace - +11 Intimidate & Diplomacy, Fearsome, and 3 charges of Symbol of Fear. The things that get feared generally don't even run off too far, usually just to a nearby wall and stand there.

Was also going to recommend that. If you can spare the necklace slot (which isn't always easy).

[Velorn]

Was also going to recommend that. If you can spare the necklace slot (which isn't always easy).

Ya I thought of that too. That's where my protection item is ATM. Ever notice that with each improvement you try and make...it always ends up in an equipment shuffle.

[The_LootBoot]

I am also going to agree with most of the posters here. For non-undead, Fearsome is well worth losing 2 ac. Fearsome also works while blocking, so with high DR, you can intimidate and fearsome off some mobs, leaving a much less dangerous situation for the whole party. If you tank intimidates and fearsome 3 of the 6 trolls, leaving 3 to deal with, that is so much more important for the party and the tank as a whole than 2 ac. They also come back fairly quickly so it is not usually a deal at all. Those that complain about it are usually the ones who are running after them foolishly instead of eliminating the still effective targets.

I personally use fearsome, intimidate, and paralyzer with cleave and great cleave to pretty much shut down dangerous groups of mobs fairly quickly (in the first 10 seconds or less of the engagement). Where you are left with only one or no effective mobs, with the rest paralyzed or feared.

As for undead, I do switch out for +5 just because it doesn't affect them. So I wouldn't drop the MFP +5, just keep it for situational runs.

[query]

You have to give the ranged and wizard spellcasters something to aim at while not having it attacking in their face