Please rate the Shadowdancer

[CRGreathouse]

note: from the SRD the HD is d8, but I thought I recall it to be d6, which I think it would be much more appropriate (or even d4). I will remove this note after checking the PHB

The PH won' t help, but the DMG says it's a d8.

 

[jRocket]

Sounds like the 2nd edition thieves ability to hide in shadows. Whats so wrong about that?

 

[Li Shenron]

The PH won' t help, but the DMG says it's a d8.

Thx!

 

[HellHound]

I didn't like them until last week.

When I pulled three against my level 18 party.

It was MUCH fun indeed.

I like Shadowdancers now.

 

[Moonsword]

I don't use it, but I don't play that style of character, either. Average for me, but deserves a place. Useful class, and a good option to keep around.

 

[Bauglir]

A game I played in a while back where another player tried out a shadowdancer highlighted a fairly crippling problem with the class - since your shadow companions are assumed to be with you unless you've specifically sent them out, area of effect magic will catch them, and they don't have the hps to take it.

In our case the sd got caught in a blade barrier (along with the rest of us). All 3 of his shadow companions died instantly..

 

[Hypersmurf]

In our case the sd got caught in a blade barrier (along with the rest of us). All 3 of his shadow companions died instantly..

All three of them failed their 50% miss chance for damage from a corporeal source?

Unlucky.

-Hyp.

 

[Bauglir]

Very - he was NOT happy.

It did highlight to me that the shadowdancer doesn't seem to make a great PC class (in a combat heavy game at least) - even if only 1 of his companions had been killed, what about the next time?

I don't have a DMG handy but iirc there's a fairly hefty xp hit when one of the companions dies, plus it can't be replaced for a year.

I'd be tempted to reduce the xp penalty, and drop the replace time to a week with a house rule, see if it floats

 

[smetzger]

All three of them failed their 50% miss chance for damage from a corporeal source?

Unlucky.

-Hyp.

SRD Blade Barrier
Spell Resistance: Yes

Its a spell no 50% miss chance, no DR, just SR and saving throw.

 

[Abraxas]

originally posted by smetzger
Its a spell no 50% miss chance, no DR, just SR and saving throw.

MM2 page 10 - In the section describing the creature type "incorporeal"

"Even when hit by spells or magic weapons, it has a 50% chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source (except force effects, such as magic missile , or attacks made with ghost touch weapons)."

I don't have MM1 with me right now, but I'm sure it says the same.