INTRODUCTION TO THIS THREAD
I've written compendium posts for the various tiers of material in its final version.
Heroic Tier
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I loved the 3e Shadowcaster, even though it was flawed in certain obnoxious ways. Here's the beginnings of the rewrite.
Sorry if the use of red text offends some rule somewhere. Its the most useful color for this sort of thing, and its not in a context that should confuse people.
Shadowcaster 4e
Power Source: Shadow. Your powers are called Mysteries.
Role: Controller. (Design Note: The Shadowcaster's defenses are higher than a wizard, but his range will be lessened. Many of his control aspects will require proximity to the front line, as they surround him with emanations of shadow or dark energy.)
Key Abilities: Intelligence, Charisma
Armor Proficiency: Cloth, Leather
Weapon Proficiency: All simple
Implement: Orb, Staff, Wand
Bonus to Defense: +1 Fortitude, +1 Will
Hit Points at 1st Level: 12+ Constitution Score
Hit Points per Level Gained: 5
Healing Surges per Day: 6+ Constitution Modifier
Trained Skills: Arcana. From the following list, choose 3 more: Dungeoneering, Endurance, Insight, Intimidate, Perception, Stealth
Build Options: (Design Note: There will be no specific build option bonuses, because Path Mastery covers that need.)
Class Features: Path Mastery, Fundamentals, Ritual Casting, Umbral Sight
Fundamentals: You know the following Fundamentals automatically. They are at will powers.
(Design Note: To be filled in later)
Ritual Casting: Gain the ritual casting feat for free, and choose one first level ritual at first level. You begin the game with this ritual inscribed in your ritual book.
Umbral Sight: You gain Low-Light Vision. If you have Low-Light Vision from another source, gain +2 to perception checks.
Path Mastery: Many mysteries a Shadowcaster can learn (other than cantrips and utility powers) have an associated path. A Shadowcaster gains special benefits from knowing many mysteries with the same path. These benefits are detailed in the Path Feature section below.
For each path, a Shadowcaster has a "mastery level." This is equal to the number of mysteries the Shadowcaster knows from that path. The Shadowcaster's Mastery Level in a path is used in determining the strength of his path features.
Paths
Dark Metamorphosis (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that augment the physical body. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Cloak of Shadows, Body and Soul, and Dark Metamorphosis.)
Path Feature: You begin each encounter with temporary hit points equal to your mastery level. At paragon tier, you double this amount. At epic tier, triple it.
Umbral Mind (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that affect the mind, whether to aid or afflict. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Umbral Mind, Ebon Whispers, and Heart and Soul.)
Path Feature: If you suffer from an ongoing effect which a save can end, and that effect was created as a result of an attack against your will, you gain a bonus to saving throws against it equal to your mastery level in this path.
Shutters and Mirrors (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that relate to images, whether revealed, occluded, or reflected. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Eyes of Darkness, Shutters and Clouds, Black Magic, Dark Reflections, Veil of Shadows, Unbinding Shade, and Eyes of the Night Sky.)
Path Feature: Add your mastery level in this path as an untyped bonus to your Perception skill.
Elemental Shadows (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that channel or control energies associated with the Shadowfell. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Touch of Twilight, Elemental Shadows, and Breath of Twilight.)
Path Feature: You gain Resist Necrotic equal to twice your mastery level in this path.
Darkness Unbound (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that bring the Shadowfell itself to the Shadowcaster's aid. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Dark Terrain, Ebon Roads, Ebon Walls, and Shadow Calling.)
Path Feature: You gain Resist Cold equal to three times your mastery level in this path.
I've written compendium posts for the various tiers of material in its final version.
Heroic Tier
-------------------------------------------------
I loved the 3e Shadowcaster, even though it was flawed in certain obnoxious ways. Here's the beginnings of the rewrite.
Sorry if the use of red text offends some rule somewhere. Its the most useful color for this sort of thing, and its not in a context that should confuse people.
Shadowcaster 4e
Power Source: Shadow. Your powers are called Mysteries.
Role: Controller. (Design Note: The Shadowcaster's defenses are higher than a wizard, but his range will be lessened. Many of his control aspects will require proximity to the front line, as they surround him with emanations of shadow or dark energy.)
Key Abilities: Intelligence, Charisma
Armor Proficiency: Cloth, Leather
Weapon Proficiency: All simple
Implement: Orb, Staff, Wand
Bonus to Defense: +1 Fortitude, +1 Will
Hit Points at 1st Level: 12+ Constitution Score
Hit Points per Level Gained: 5
Healing Surges per Day: 6+ Constitution Modifier
Trained Skills: Arcana. From the following list, choose 3 more: Dungeoneering, Endurance, Insight, Intimidate, Perception, Stealth
Build Options: (Design Note: There will be no specific build option bonuses, because Path Mastery covers that need.)
Class Features: Path Mastery, Fundamentals, Ritual Casting, Umbral Sight
Fundamentals: You know the following Fundamentals automatically. They are at will powers.
(Design Note: To be filled in later)
Ritual Casting: Gain the ritual casting feat for free, and choose one first level ritual at first level. You begin the game with this ritual inscribed in your ritual book.
Umbral Sight: You gain Low-Light Vision. If you have Low-Light Vision from another source, gain +2 to perception checks.
Path Mastery: Many mysteries a Shadowcaster can learn (other than cantrips and utility powers) have an associated path. A Shadowcaster gains special benefits from knowing many mysteries with the same path. These benefits are detailed in the Path Feature section below.
For each path, a Shadowcaster has a "mastery level." This is equal to the number of mysteries the Shadowcaster knows from that path. The Shadowcaster's Mastery Level in a path is used in determining the strength of his path features.
Paths
Dark Metamorphosis (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that augment the physical body. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Cloak of Shadows, Body and Soul, and Dark Metamorphosis.)
Path Feature: You begin each encounter with temporary hit points equal to your mastery level. At paragon tier, you double this amount. At epic tier, triple it.
Umbral Mind (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that affect the mind, whether to aid or afflict. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Umbral Mind, Ebon Whispers, and Heart and Soul.)
Path Feature: If you suffer from an ongoing effect which a save can end, and that effect was created as a result of an attack against your will, you gain a bonus to saving throws against it equal to your mastery level in this path.
Shutters and Mirrors (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that relate to images, whether revealed, occluded, or reflected. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Eyes of Darkness, Shutters and Clouds, Black Magic, Dark Reflections, Veil of Shadows, Unbinding Shade, and Eyes of the Night Sky.)
Path Feature: Add your mastery level in this path as an untyped bonus to your Perception skill.
Elemental Shadows (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that channel or control energies associated with the Shadowfell. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Touch of Twilight, Elemental Shadows, and Breath of Twilight.)
Path Feature: You gain Resist Necrotic equal to twice your mastery level in this path.
Darkness Unbound (Design Note: This path combines the mysteries that bring the Shadowfell itself to the Shadowcaster's aid. It selects many of its mysteries from the 3e paths Dark Terrain, Ebon Roads, Ebon Walls, and Shadow Calling.)
Path Feature: You gain Resist Cold equal to three times your mastery level in this path.
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