The Shadowcaster -weak?

[WarlockLord]

I think the shadowcaster could use a combat fundamental that's a little better than arrow of dusk. I recall one of the reasons my shadowcaster stunck was the fact that he was unable to fight undead. Also, the touch of twilight path should be ranged, not requiring the loss of every low-level feat slot to achieve this. One of the things my spellcasters have always shunned is touch attacks, as I fear they'd go like this:

Wizard: Ha ha ha! Eat shocking grasp!

Thokk the Orc: Wuss! Thokk still standing! Thokk SMASH!!!!

Wizard: AAAAH! NOOO!

(Wizard's severed head hits floor).

The class does seem to be too rigid. It has less spells known than a sorceror, and less high-level casts than a wizard. The paths seem to lock you down into dead weight (i.e. taking the almost utterly useless congress of shadows to get flicker), and none of the 1st-2nd level mysteries are really any good at higher levels, except maybe thoughts of shadow. Also, the split ability scores are incredibly annoying, and, I find at low levels, the class lacks offensive punch. All the defense in the world means nothing if you can't retaliate.

 

[Thomas Percy]

I have a question about Warp Spell mystery.
There is unclear if enemy spellcaster MUST roll for Will saving throw or not againt this mystery.
If yes, it's very weak, because I must win opposed caster level check first and then beat enemy spellcaster Will save (and they have powerful Will saves).
In the mystery decsription there is "Will negates; see text" passage and there in no a single word about saves in the text below.
In the statblocks of sample NPCs there is a save DC included for Thanielle, and there is no save DC for the same mystery for Crestian.
Eratta doesn't help me.

Thanks for help.

 

[Ranes]

It is unclear, isn't it. Honestly, I think the Will save reference (and Thanielle's save DC) are mistakes, probably leftover from an earlier version of the mystery. It doesn't seem right that you have to beat a caster level check and a save.

 

[Land Outcast]

Would it be too much for them to get bonus misteries per day based on Cha and make their DC equal to CL/2+Cha?

 

[Nifft]

IMHO, after statting up a few NPC ("bad guy") Shadowcasters, I'm probably going to re-write the whole system. It's full of nice ideas, but the power level is off. This is particularly bad for low-level minions, but it's even noticable for CR 15 BBEGs, who don't have access to the sort of utility lair-set-up stuff that you really need to be a cool BBEG.

-- N

 

[Land Outcast]

Yey!

Nifft is fixing it... Right Nifft? I know you will

 

[Wraith Form]

Mouseferatu/Ari's been suspiciously quiet lately. I've been watching to see when he'll weigh in again, and.....let's just say he's pulling a Keyzer Sose.

Nifft, will you be posting your re-work in this thread?

 

[Greylock]

Flavor text = Awesome. Blood churning stuff for either side of the table.


too bad the rest doesn't live up.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Heh. Sorry. Been out of town/busy for a few days. I'm also discussing the details of the shadowcaster with some other folk in the industry.

I'll post here in a few days with a few additional thoughts.

 

[Nifft]

Nifft, will you be posting your re-work in this thread?

I'll post a link, but the work should really go in House Rules.

-- N