SRD 3.0 said:Summon Shadow: At 3rd level, a shadowdancer can summon a shadow, an undead shade. Unlike a normal shadow, this shadow’s alignment matches that of the shadowdancer. The summoned shadow cannot be turned, rebuked, or commanded by any third party. This shadow serves as a companion to the shadowdancer and can communicate intelligibly with the shadowdancer. Every third level gained by the shadowdancer allows her to summon an additional shadow and adds +2 HD (and the requisite base attack and base save bonus increases) to all her shadow companions.
If a shadow companion is destroyed, or the shadowdancer chooses to dismiss it, the shadowdancer must attempt a Fortitude saving throw (DC 15). If the saving throw fails, the shadowdancer loses 200 experience points per shadowdancer level. A successful saving throw reduces the loss by half, to 100 XP per prestige class level. The shadowdancer’s experience can never go below 0 as the result of a shadow’s dismissal or destruction. A destroyed or dismissed shadow companion cannot be replaced for a year and a day.
SRD 3.5 said:At 3rd level, a shadowdancer can summon a shadow, an undead shade. Unlike a normal shadow, this shadow’s alignment matches that of the shadowdancer, and the creature cannot create spawn. The summoned shadow cannot be turned, rebuked, or commanded by any third party. This shadow serves as a companion to the shadowdancer and can communicate intelligibly with the shadowdancer. Every third level gained by the shadowdancer adds +2 HD (and the requisite base attack and base save bonus increases) to her shadow companion.
If a shadow companion is destroyed, or the shadowdancer chooses to dismiss it, the shadowdancer must attempt a DC 15 Fortitude save. If the saving throw fails, the shadowdancer loses 200 experience points per shadowdancer level. A successful saving throw reduces the loss by half, to 100 XP per prestige class level. The shadowdancer’s XP total can never go below 0 as the result of a shadow’s dismissal or destruction. A destroyed or dismissed shadow companion cannot be replaced for 30 days.
Cabral said:My impression is that it's intended to be a shadow but not undead ... animated shadowstuff. You may try asking your DM if your shadow can be a construct instead of an Undead.
Every third level gained by the shadowdancer adds +2 HD (and the requisite base attack and base save bonus increases) to her shadow companion.
I like to know the answer to these questions, so I'm reviving this from the vaults...Evilhalfling said:So another question is how many HD does the companion have?
the SRD:Every third level gained by the shadowdancer adds +2 HD (and the requisite base attack and base save bonus increases) to her shadow companion.
The book mentions the companion has 6 HD at 9th level, but since it starts with 3hd (mm)
and gains +2 at 6th and +2 at 9th = it should have at least 7 HD. (used IMC)
If the bonuses are calculated from total level (???)then it would have 3+2+2+2 = 9hd making it effectivly a greater shadow. (so does it gain the 1d8 str drain?)
Can shadows take improved natural attack for higher Str drain?
or is there a similar ability in Liber Mortis?
BTW - the shadow companion IMC was a teenager met on the Plane of Shadow - the PC stole a gem from her and she came looking for it. I tend to give the benefit of doubt to the player because keeping a 7hd companion at 16th level is tricky, she has come close to destruction several times.