[RPG] How to frighten the enemies besides using spells

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I am planning on playing an Oath of Conquest paladin, and I really want to capitalize on the Aura of Conquest feature (XGtE, p. 38):

Starting at 7th level, you constantly emanate a menacing aura while you're not incapacitated. The aura extends 10 feet from you in every direction, but not through total cover.

If a creature is frightened of you, it's speed is reduced to 0 while in that aura, and that creature takes psychic damage equal to half your paladin level if it starts it's turn there.

At 18th level, the range of this aura extends to 30 feet.

Besides my Conquering Presence Channel Divinity option and spells I have access to, are there any other ways I can frighten creatures?

Best Answer

Fear-causing magical items

Besides casting spells yourself and the Conquest paladin's Conquering Presence feature, the most obvious option available to you is to avail yourself of the great number of magical items and artefacts which can cast spells that cause creatures to become frightened of you or otherwise have magical properties capable of inflicting the frightened condition. A surely non-exhaustive list includes:

  • Belashyrra’s Beholder Crown (E:RftLW, p. 276): spend 3 charges to cast fear
  • The Bloody End (EGtW, p. 278): intelligent weapon can be used to cast fear once per day and, if upgraded, once a day frighten creatures with 15 feet on a kill
  • Mace of Disruption: fiends and undead reduced to 25 hp or less and not immediately destroyed become frightened
  • Mace of Terror: spend a charge to unleash a 30-foot wave of terror
  • Pipes of Haunting: spend one charge to play an eerie tune that frightens creatures within 30 feet
  • Ring of Animal Influence: spend one charge to cast fear (only affecting beasts with intelligence score of 3 or less)
  • Rod of Lordly Might: once a day, frighten all creatures you can see within 30 feet
  • Shield of the Hidden Lord (BG:DiA, p. 225): intelligent shield can emit an aura of dread for a minute that frightens creatures within 20 feet, once a day
  • Wand of Fear: spend two charges to emit a 60-foot cone of fear (very similar but not identical to the fear spell)
  • Will of the Talon (EGtW, p. 279): intelligent weapon can emit a Frightful Presence once a day, frightening enemies within 30 feet

The Dragon Fear racial feat (for dragonborn)

Dragonborn characters using the optional Feat rules may take the Dragon Fear feat, from Xanathar's Guide to Everything (p. 74), which allows the dragonborn to expend a use of their breath weapon to instead roar and frighten enemies within 30 feet.

The Fallen Aasimar's Necrotic Shroud

From 3rd level, a fallen aasimar (Volo's Guide to Monsters, p. 105) may use their Necrotic Shroud ability to transform, which may frighten enemies within 10 feet for a turn.

The Leonin's Daunting Roar

A leonin (Mythic Odysseys of Theros, p. 20) may use their Daunting Roar to frighten creatures within 10 feet of them for a turn.

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