A player in my game has expressed interest in obtaining the Shade template described near the back of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting supplement. I like to give options, but my initial reply on this one was "No." It seems unsuitable for a player character. In normal light, the template gives no benefits, but in shadow or darkness a host of extraordinary and spell-like abilities come into play.
The FRCS doesn't give a level adjustment for the template, but I estimate it should be something like +4. The biggest red-flag comes from an invisibility ability usable (on self only) once per round. Being able to see through any darkness effect and then at 10th character level being able to completely nullify light sources within 100 feet at will seems worrisome too. Fast healing, spell resistance, and so on add to my concern.
It isn't the character concept or picking up a template that bothers me, but rather the on/off nature of the template (and the power it grants when it's on) seems like it would be difficult to incorporate into a reasonably balanced party.
Thoughts? Did I overreact on this in saying "No way"? Any better estimate of the Shade LA?
The FRCS doesn't give a level adjustment for the template, but I estimate it should be something like +4. The biggest red-flag comes from an invisibility ability usable (on self only) once per round. Being able to see through any darkness effect and then at 10th character level being able to completely nullify light sources within 100 feet at will seems worrisome too. Fast healing, spell resistance, and so on add to my concern.
It isn't the character concept or picking up a template that bothers me, but rather the on/off nature of the template (and the power it grants when it's on) seems like it would be difficult to incorporate into a reasonably balanced party.
Thoughts? Did I overreact on this in saying "No way"? Any better estimate of the Shade LA?
