Prestige Class - Dervish or Shadowdancer?

[Asen]

I'm reaching fifth level, so I'm thinking about where to go with my character.

My character's a performer. He's a 1 Rogue/3 Fighter with high dexterity. Originally, I had intended for him to become a dervish, simply for all the increased attacks and the fast movement. But now, looking at the shadowdancer's supernatural abilities, I'm not so sure.

So what should I do? Shadowdancer for the ability to sneak and fade in and out of shadows, the Hide in Plain Sight? Or the Dervish for its sheer ability to deal death and keep a steady movement across the battlefield?

 

[Jhaelen]

So what should I do? Shadowdancer for the ability to sneak and fade in and out of shadows, the Hide in Plain Sight? Or the Dervish for its sheer ability to deal death and keep a steady movement across the battlefield?

Why not take levels in both classes? I've yet to see someone take more than two levels in the Shadowdancer class. I guess, Dervish is worth taking all levels. So, it's really more of a question which levels you take first.
Personally, I'd go with a single level of Shadowdancer first.

 

[Asen]

Well, I don't know how much I'm allowed to reprint here, but judging from the tables in Complete Warrior and the DMG, I may want to grab Dervish first. I guess what it comes down to is how amazing HIPS can be.

First level Dervish gains the following:
Fighter BAB progression
Good Will and Reflex saves
d10 to HP
4+Int Skill Points
AC Bonus +1
Dervish dance--once per day, full attack while moving full movement
Ability to take 10 while Jumping, Performing, or Tumbling, even in stressful situations
Treats scimitars as a light weapon

First level Shadowdancer allows the following:
Rogue BAB progression (that's a +0 at first)
Good Reflex save
d8 to HP
6+Int Skill Points
Hide in Plain Sight (as long as I'm within 10 feet of shadow)

Now it looks like SD is pretty weak, but I'm still wondering about it, the darkvision is by itself rather useful, and shadow jump speaks for itself. But Dervish brings in fast movement, increased AC, pretty rapidly.

So you'd say that most SD players (in PnP, mind you) tend to grab it for its early benefits and that's it?

 

[Jhaelen]

So you'd say that most SD players (in PnP, mind you) tend to grab it for its early benefits and that's it?

Yep. I've had three characters take the first two levels so far: a scout, a rogue, and a ranger. Hide in Plain Sight is pretty awesome for 'strikers'.
However, I'd recommend to discuss with your DM how (s)he's going to handle it. Some DMs, thinking that the Shadowdancer's HiPS ability is overpowered like restricting the ability, since there is almost no situation where you cannot hide.

I just noticed though that you only have a single rogue level at the moment. So, maybe it would fit your build better to go for the dervish first. It's more of an offensive prestige class, while the Shadowdancer abilities are mostly defensive.

 

[Asen]

Well, I am the DM, actually. That's why I've gone down the dex-fighter route, incidentally; I'm already the center of attention, so why should my character be, too?

By the time I reach the qualifications for Dervish, I'll be a 4 Fighter/2 Rogue (I have to have a +5 BAB). I need some skill points in tumble, hide, balance, and what-not that rogue will give me, but Weapon Specialization is too good to pass up. Either way, your point stands--Dervish is more consistent with a fighter build, and Shadowdancer's definitely more rogue.

Hmm... This is definitely a puzzle. So far, my plan has been a two-thirds fighter, one-third rogue. It may be that I do the same with my prestige classes. After all, Dervish is awesome, but shadow jump and constant darkvision are, too.

Tell you what--would you allow a character taking levels of both? Or is that too gamey?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Of course you can take levels in both. Forcing PCs to finish a prestige class before moving on is a houserule. I'd say you should take Dervish based on the current character, and the very little Rogue involved. Of course, Dervish Dance is flashy and offensive, so if you're DMPC looking to not overshadow the other players, maybe you should avoid it.

 

[arcanaman]

Dervish for exotic Shadowdancer of the shadows