Aegis not fear +5?

[ioticus]

I just equipped the Aegis on Al Khazim and he doesn't have fear +5, he has fear +0. According to the magic item chart it should be fear +5. Was this changed in a patch or is the chart in error?

[Ygorl]

I think fear starts at -5.

[magnate]

That's almost right - it actually starts at -4, ie. a +4 bonus to the MR save of the opponent. This is a "fear value" of +1, if you like. So +5 fear, from the Aegis or the Horror Helmet, will give a commander "Fear (+0)", meaning no bonus to the MR save of the opponent. Wearing both the Aegis *and* a Horror Helmet will give "Fear (+5)", meaning a -5 penalty to the MR save.

Some commanders (like Bune) have intrinsic Fear, and any Fear items will add arithmetically to that base value.

All death mages have Fear, where D1 is "Fear (-4)" and D9 is "Fear (+4)", and again any Fear items will add on top of that.

I don't know what happens if you Empower someone scary like Bune with death magic. Though I notice that Wraith Lords have greater fear than their death magic alone can provide, so maybe that just adds normally too.

CC

[Molog]

The fear number relates to the aoe of the fear. Fear 0 is all eight squares around you. Fear -1 is seven squares around you. Fear +5 is 13 squares around you. Every +5 fear gives enemies a -1 morale when resisting the fear.

[magnate]

Ah. Thanks. My mistake.

[Vicious Love]

magnate said:
I don't know what happens if you Empower someone scary like Bune with death magic. Though I notice that Wraith Lords have greater fear than their death magic alone can provide, so maybe that just adds normally too.

Unholy levels also increase fear, just like death levels. All forms of fear(from items, paths, and innate nastyness) stack arithmetically. This is why Etimmu with a Rod of Whatchamacallit(+3D), that unique dark book whatsit, a Horror Helmet, the Aegis, the Horror Harmonica, and some sorta really badass armor(Robe of the Magi, I suppose. Does any armor out there confer fear?) is A Scary Thing. Not remotely cost effective, but scary as all Hell.

[FrankTrollman]

Does any armor out there confer fear?

The Wings provide fear. Also trample. And Flight.

-Frank