Shadowbane Stalker after 15th-level

[Shin Okada]

Now I am playing a Human Rogue2/Cleric 3/Shadowbane Stalker 5. As current campaign will last long, he will hit 16th+ levels, or maybe even to epic levels. At character level of 15th, he will become Rogue 2/Cleric 3/Shadowbane Stalker 10. How shall I advance him after that? As he is not be an epic character at that time, he cannot add more Shadowbane Stalker levels.

The 1st obvious choice is Cleric. Though he cannot gain Rogue-related abilities for 5 levels, he will eventually become a fully capable spellcaster as a cleric, without losing caster level (he has Practiced Spellcaster feat). He will not gain much skill points but can still use them in 1 point/rank ratio as he has Able Learner feat.

Another choice is adding rogue levels. He will lose some spell casting abilities but start to gain more sneak attack dice.

Or maybe some rogue-fighter type prestige classes?

Please tell me if you have some good idea.

 

[TheGogmagog]

I would leave it up to what the party needed. If you are the party rogue, you should take a level of rogue every other level at least to keep your skills up. If you are the only cleric, you should probably stick to the cleric levels. There might be a cleric prestige class in complete divine that would fill the bill also.

Personally, I wouldn't go fighter. 4th level Divine Power, your attack bonus equals your character level, not your class level. So that should compensate for any lack in attack bonus. Aside from that you should be casting touch and ranged touch spells, like searing light.

You mentioned that you would likely play into epic, and also mentioned fully capable spell caster as cleric. I could be wrong, or you could have a house rule to the contrary, but your spellcasting ability will continue to advance until you have reached the 20th caster level. It doesn't stop when you reach the 20th character level. So if you are continuing into epic, there isn't a rush to get to 9th level spells before 20th. Though you may want the 9th level spells as soon as possible anyway.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

As a Shadowbane Stalker, you're already lawful good. And you already are into ferreting out corruption wherever you find it. I suggest the Church Inquisitor prestige class. In theme, it is very consistent with Shadowbane Stalker. You continue to get clerical spells. And you have 4 skill points per level on a good skill list (though not as good as a rogue's). Four levels of Church Inquisitor and one level of cleric (or rogue) would put you at epic levels where you could go back to Shadowbane Stalker.

 

[Cabral]

Also, if you fill out a 10 level prestige class, you can progress in the prestige class in Epic levels...

 

[Shin Okada]

>TheGogmagog

I am concerning about caster level. 2 levels of rogue and 2 level delay from Shadowbane Stalker class is covered by Practiced Spellcaster feat. So if I continue to level up as a cleric, my PCs caster level = character level.

>Elder-Basilisk

Thanks. Church Inquisitor seems interesting. Order of Illumination is well known for traitors

>Cabral

Unfortunately, a character must be 20+ character level to take epic prestige class levels.

 

[Cabral]

Yes, I was responding to my misreading of Elder-Basilisk's comment concerning epic levels.

 

[Shin Okada]

I talked with the DM of the campaign. Church Inquisitor seems not be an option as there will be not much traitor or corruptions within Order of Illumination involved in that campaign. We are playing a published module (Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil) and the basic plot is already there. He can throw a fallen paladin or two into the campaign. But it will be difficult to integrate much inner-inquisition plots to justify my PC taking the pass of this prestige class.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

In that case, I would go with cleric straight up to finish. My guess is that the character does not rely as much on sneaking as just being a melee combatant. If that is the case, no real need to continue rogue unless you need the skill points for things like disable device, etc.

The casting would be nice, though. And once you get the progression finished - your options are then wide open!

 

[pawsplay]

Straight up cleric would preserve your casting ability and maximise your saving throw and BAB bonus. Level 8 is +6 on good saves, +6 on BAB.

Divine Oracle would give your character an extra Domain and would grant uncanny dodge and trap sense to a character who otherwise lacks it.

Hospitaler loses some caster levels but offers nearly full progression and good BAB.

Sacred Exorcist is a full caster progression class.