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Message: <blockquote data-quote="doctorbadwolf" data-source="post: 7632940" data-attributes="member: 6704184">I’m interested in looking at alternate paths to certain archetypes, concepts, etc in 5e. Things like some different flavors of assassin, or trick shooter or fancy footwork duelist that isn’t a battlemaster, or even just things like a paladin archer, or a weapon focused Druid. Today, I’m going to explore the idea of a Shadowdancer Rogue. Obviously, this is not an entirely unsupported idea in 5e, but I often find myself looking at the shadow monk, and not wanting to deal with all the monk stuff that comes with it, and I think there is room for a very different approach in the rogue. So, some goals, and clarification. Clarification: This not a thread wherein I’m asking if you think I should build this, if the game needs it, etc. I am operating under the assumption that this is a good goal, and I’m just not interested in challenges to the premise. This is a thread about how to do it. Goals: Thematically, we want a character who can be one with shadow, who is supernaturally graceful, swift, and able to manipulate shadow around themselves. Mechanically, I’d like to see different abilities and benefits than the Shadow Monk, and be balanced against the Arcane Trickster. Ideas thus far, in very rough form: note, these are not organized by level. This is just a rough cut of what sorts of abilities I’d want if playing a shadowdancer rogue. movement: benefits with speed, jumping, and acrobatics while in shadow. Probably want some benefit always, but greater in shadow. Stuff like +5 speed and jump distance, can use Dex for jump distance in shadow, and gain extra +10 speed in shadow. OR, small bonuses always, and the use of spells while in shadow, like jump and longstrider. Could be more powerful or gain power with levels. Combat/damage: Gain Shadowblade spell? Or maybe summon any light or finesse weapon as part of attacking with it, it’s magical, and you can SA when you or Target is in dim light or darkness and you don’t have disadvantage?Gain or increase dark-vision? Minor Illusion works well, but maybe also a higher level ability to steal shadows and turn them against people? Eventually become insubstantial for a while? Spells like Blur and Mage Armor also seem appropriate as using shadow to obscure and protect yourself. Should it gain the spellcasting trait, or just certain spells x/day? or can it work largely without spells?</blockquote>

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