Spirit Shaman contradictory abilities?

[Artoomis]

The Spirit Form ability never mentions Etherealness, only Incorporeability.

AR

In that case, my argument above stands and he can indeed use his weapon while incorporeal to attack corporeal creatures. I do not know if it takes an action to activate his Ghost Touch ability or not, that should be clear in the class description.

This is a pretty powerful ability. I don't imagine it's possible to get this before 14th level, maybe even higher (depending upon what it takes to qualify for the class), so it's not as bad a killer ability as it sounds at first.

 

[Stormrunner]

Actually, it first shows up at 9th level, once/day for up to 1 minute. At higher levels it becomes 2x, and eventually 3x, per day.
Spirit Shaman is a "base" class (20 levels) so there are no prereqs.
However their spellcasting tends to be somewhat weaker than a wizard or cleric. Like the monk, it's something of a specialized class - extremely useful in some situations, very weak in others.

 

[ForceUser]

Like the monk, it's something of a specialized class - extremely useful in some situations, very weak in others.

Have you seen this class in play over an extended period of time into double-digit levels, or are you conjecturing? If you have seen the class in a significant amount of play, I'd like to hear more about how its capabilities play out.

 

[Stormrunner]

Have you seen this class in play over an extended period of time into double-digit levels, or are you conjecturing? If you have seen the class in a significant amount of play, I'd like to hear more about how its capabilities play out.

Um, conjecture, mostly. So far I've only actually played one once, in a one-shot. I would LIKE to try out a greater range of levels, but simply haven't had the time.

 

[boolean]

She has no Strength score against corporeal creatures or objects and cannot make physical attacks against them.

So part of the special properties of this ability is that it hinders the character's ability to attack corporeal foes. This is a specific case that overrides the general rules for incorporeality.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

So part of the special properties of this ability is that it hinders the character's ability to attack corporeal foes. This is a specific case that overrides the general rules for incorporeality.

I don't see how that's different than what we find in the description of Incorporeability:

they [incorporeal creatures] cannot manipulate objects or exert physical force on objects

Furthermore, none of the creatures in the SRD who are Incorporeal have a Str score.

AR

 

[Artoomis]

So part of the special properties of this ability is that it hinders the character's ability to attack corporeal foes. This is a specific case that overrides the general rules for incorporeality.

But the Ghost Warrior ability trumps this for melee attacks, anyway.

 

[Artoomis]

Actually, it first shows up at 9th level, once/day for up to 1 minute. At higher levels it becomes 2x, and eventually 3x, per day.
Spirit Shaman is a "base" class (20 levels) so there are no prereqs.
However their spellcasting tends to be somewhat weaker than a wizard or cleric. Like the monk, it's something of a specialized class - extremely useful in some situations, very weak in others.

This is pretty powerful. Of course, the fact that the ONLY thing you can physcially do to corporeal creatures is attack with with a weapon does limit options considerably. For example, he CANNOT BE HEALED by friendly corporeal character while incorporeal - though he most likely won't get hurt. If he does get hurt and starts dying, no one can save him, most likely.

 

[FireLance]

This is pretty powerful. Of course, the fact that the ONLY thing you can physcially do to corporeal creatures is attack with with a weapon does limit options considerably. For example, he CANNOT BE HEALED by friendly corporeal character while incorporeal - though he most likely won't get hurt. If he does get hurt and starts dying, no one can save him, most likely.

Yes they can. As stated in the description of incorporeality in post #8 (yours, incidentally ), the 50% chance to ignore damage from a corporeal source does not apply to positive energy, negative energy, force effects such as magic missile, or attacks made with ghost touch weapons.

Unless of course, you want to argue that positive energy that would heal an incorporeal creature (or negative energy, if it was undead) is technically not "damage" and thus this rule would not apply .

 

[Artoomis]

Yes they can. As stated in the description of incorporeality in post #8 (yours, incidentally ), the 50% chance to ignore damage from a corporeal source does not apply to positive energy, negative energy, force effects such as magic missile, or attacks made with ghost touch weapons.

Unless of course, you want to argue that positive energy that would heal an incorporeal creature (or negative energy, if it was undead) is technically not "damage" and thus this rule would not apply .

Well, that WOULD be a pretty narrow reading, now wouldn't it? Anyway - you're right. Of course, they have to be able to be targetted, so the party better have the means to see you.