sneak attack instead of summon shadow
- Thread starter Akhkharu
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ruleslawyer
Registered User
A flat +2d6 sneak attack in place of the summon shadow ability probably would be reasonable. Level-based sneak attack progression of any kind would be out of the question (unless it were only +1d6 at 4th level and +2d6 at 8th level, for example).
Crothian
First Post
It depends on what you wawnt your character to be able to do. You might go for some shadow controling abilities (not the creatures, actual shadoew). Be able to lengthen them or shorten them. Listen out of a shadow that's within vision, gain concealment from shadows, automatically take ten when you're in a shadow.
My memory could be failing me, but doesn't the Shadowdancer get the ability to pretty much hide in plain sight (provided there are shadows) and travel from one to another at higher levels? if any of this is the case, getting the standard +1d6/2 levels sneak attack progression is definitely out of the question.
On the other hand, taking his existing class abilities - hiding, seeing through darkness, etc. and making them more powerful should be all right... Or perhaps replacing Summon Shadow with a familiar-type shadow creature that can't drain STR, but gives you similar benfits that a familiar does - eavesdropping, scouting, etc.
Hmm... What I would do in this situation, I think, is to allow you to make your own shadow animate and either strike out at your enemies (doing normal physical or energy damage, not drain) or stick close by you to protect you/intercept blows a certain number of times per your shadowdancer level for a limited amount of time... Make him something like, say, a Devoted Defender of 1/2 your character level, with the same stats as your character, maybe?
On the other hand, taking his existing class abilities - hiding, seeing through darkness, etc. and making them more powerful should be all right... Or perhaps replacing Summon Shadow with a familiar-type shadow creature that can't drain STR, but gives you similar benfits that a familiar does - eavesdropping, scouting, etc.
Hmm... What I would do in this situation, I think, is to allow you to make your own shadow animate and either strike out at your enemies (doing normal physical or energy damage, not drain) or stick close by you to protect you/intercept blows a certain number of times per your shadowdancer level for a limited amount of time... Make him something like, say, a Devoted Defender of 1/2 your character level, with the same stats as your character, maybe?
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Malin Genie
First Post
I think the problem many people have with the Shadowdancer's Shadows is that they're so weak at the level they're summoned (a Shadowdancer 3 is at least 10th character level, and a Shadow is 3 HD creature) and the Shadowdancer loses XP if they're killed.
Having said that, IMHO a Shadowdancer's shadows are more like familiars than animal companions - not to be used in combat. Remember also that a Shadow can Create Spawn meaning that a Shadowdancer can control many shadows through her shadow companions (and the shadows created in that manner do not lose you XP if they die....)
If you can afford it, give your shadow companion +1 ghost touch shadowed studded leather armour; giving allowing it a +18 Hide and automatic Move Silently - the perfect point man.... and I hadn't even noticed before reading the description that they can fly !
Yes, the low HP are a downer, and you want to keep them out of area effect spells, but they have nice undead immunities and if your DM is willing, you might be able to make magical items that a shadow could wear, to improve its survivability.
Why mess with such a cool ability to increase Sneak Attack damage? (and I've just convinced myself that I would allow Shadowdancers +1d6 SA at 3rd/6th/9th as it's less powerful, useful or interesting than the shadow companion.)
Having said that, IMHO a Shadowdancer's shadows are more like familiars than animal companions - not to be used in combat. Remember also that a Shadow can Create Spawn meaning that a Shadowdancer can control many shadows through her shadow companions (and the shadows created in that manner do not lose you XP if they die....)
If you can afford it, give your shadow companion +1 ghost touch shadowed studded leather armour; giving allowing it a +18 Hide and automatic Move Silently - the perfect point man.... and I hadn't even noticed before reading the description that they can fly !
Yes, the low HP are a downer, and you want to keep them out of area effect spells, but they have nice undead immunities and if your DM is willing, you might be able to make magical items that a shadow could wear, to improve its survivability.
Why mess with such a cool ability to increase Sneak Attack damage? (and I've just convinced myself that I would allow Shadowdancers +1d6 SA at 3rd/6th/9th as it's less powerful, useful or interesting than the shadow companion.)
Albereth
First Post
If the character were a rogue to begin with and then took shadowdancer, you might consider giving the shadowdancer a choice of one of the special abilities that the rogue would have gotten starting at 10th level but only if the character has reached 10 character levels which is probably true by the time they get to 3rd Shadowdancer. There are some nice abilities in there.
