Lix Lorn
2013-08-08, 11:22 PM
Shadowdancer
‘Thar’s no shadows! It’s a friggin’ stick figure comic, ye moron!’ – an angry dwarf to his shadowdancer ally.
Background: Shadowdancers are the rogues who feel more at home in the darkness, and who begin to use it as an ally in a far more practical fashion than most. Whether through careful experimentation or force of will, they begin to bend the darkness to their will.
Races: Drow are particularly suited to this class, but just as all races have rogues and criminals, all races occasionally breed shadowdancers.
Other Classes: Other rogues tend to hate and adore Shadowdancers, having a mixture of jealousy and respect for them.
Role: Shadowdancers make excellent assassins, and are skilled infiltrators.
Shadowdancers in the World: Few Shadowdancers practice openly, due to their association with criminal activity. There are, of course, exceptions, and some Shadowdancers have been employed as diplomats or guards.
Inspiration: PrC seemed underpowered.
Prerequisites
Skills: Hide 8 ranks, Move Silently 8 ranks, Perform (Dance) 4 ranks
Feats: Mobility
Class Features: Evasion
Hit Die: d6
Class Skills: The Shadowdancer’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (local) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha), and Use Rope (Dex).
Skill Points per Level: 8+ Int Modifier
Level
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Special
1st
+0
+0
+2
+0
Shadow Sight, Shadow Step
2nd
+1
+0
+3
+0
Sneak Attack +1d6, Uncanny Dodge
3rd
+2
+1
+3
+1
Hide in Plain Sight, Shadow Theatre
4th
+3
+1
+4
+1
Shadow Stride, Spring Attack
5th
+3
+1
+4
+1
Sneak Attack +2d6, Improved Evasion
6th
+4
+2
+5
+2
Call the Darkness
7th
+5
+2
+5
+2
Shadow Jump
8th
+6
+2
+6
+2
Sneak Attack +3d6, Shadow’s Victims
9th
+6
+3
+6
+3
Shadow Puppets
10th
+7
+3
+7
+3
Shadow Leap
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: The Shadowdancer gains no new weapon or armor proficiencies.
Shadow Sight (Ex): The first lesson a Shadowdancer learns is to see in the dark, to be at home in it. She gains Darkvision out to 60ft. This darkvision is full colour, but does not function in magical darkness, unless created by the Shadowdancer.
Shadow Step (Su): As a move action, the Shadowdancer can teleport up to his normal move speed. Both his start and end point must be within 5ft of a shadow, and he must be able to see the destination.
If the Shadowdancer possesses the Spring Attack feat, he may use it in conjunction with this ability. When doing so, he may teleport up to twice his normal distance as a full round action, and stop to make as many attacks on as many targets as he could on a normal spring attack. However, each waypoint must be within 5ft of a shadow, and he must be able to see each of them.
Sneak Attack (Ex): At 2nd level, and each third level thereafter, the Shadowdancer adds 1d6 to his Sneak Attack. If he does not already possess Sneak Attack, he gains it, as the rogue ability.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex) Starting at 2nd level, a shadowdancer retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. (She still loses any Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.)
If a character gains uncanny dodge from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge, as described in the Rogue class.
Hide in Plain Sight (Ex): A shadowdancer of third level can use the Hide skill even while being observed. As long as she is within 10 feet of some sort of shadow, a shadowdancer can hide herself from view in the open without anything to actually hide behind. She cannot, however, hide in her own shadow.
Shadow Theatre (Sp): A third level Shadowdancer can manipulate the shadows to dance as she wishes. As a standard action at will, she may cast Silent Image. It has a caster level equal to her class level, plus her levels in classes that grant evasion.
Shadow Stride: A fourth level Shadowdancer can step between shadows with far more ease. She doubles the range of her Shadow Step ability, and no longer needs to be able to see her destination, as long as she is at least casually familiar with it. (As described in the teleport spell.)
Spring Attack: A fourth level Shadowdancer receives Spring Attack as a bonus feat. If they already possess that feat, they gain a single bonus feat of their choice.
Improved Evasion (Ex): A fifth level Shadowdancer improves her Evasion ability. While she still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks henceforth she takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless character does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Call the Darkness (Sp): Starting at sixth level, a Shadowdancer may cast Darkness as a spell like ability centered on herself, by using a full round action. She may use this ability at will. It has a caster level equal to her class level, plus her levels in classes that grant evasion.
Shadow Jump (Sp): A seventh level Shadowdancer can cross kingdoms via the shadows. By taking one minute while standing in an area of shadows, she may cast Teleport. She may do this only once a day, and the target area must be in an area of shadows. Her caster level for this ability is equal to her class level, plus her levels in Rogue.
Shadow’s Victims (Su): An eighth level Shadowdancer can imprint limited ghosts, bound to him for several days. Whenever he kills someone, he may use this ability, which is the equivalent of an eighth level spell. The target’s spirit is bound to him for a single day. During this time, he may ask one question per class level, which the spirit is under no obligation to answer truthfully, but must answer. After a day has passed, the spirit almost invariably moves on to the appropriate afterlife. If it is fond of him for some reason, it may remain.
An unwilling spirit may be freed with a successful dispel, but is otherwise immune to all effects, and cannot in any way affect the world, besides talking. If a character is raised from the dead, their spirit is instantly freed from this effect.
Shadow Puppets (Sp): A ninth level Shadowdancer can manipulate those who stand in their shadows. They may cast Dominate Person, Mass Suggestion or Charm Monster once per day as a standard action. The targets must be standing in the shadows. This ability has a caster level equal to her class level, plus her levels in classes that grant evasion.
Shadow Leap (Sp): At tenth level, a Shadowdancer can leap between worlds. By taking one minute while standing in an area of shadows, she may cast Plane Shift. She may do this only once a day, and the target area must be in an area of shadows. This ability has a caster level equal to her class level, plus her levels in classes that grant evasion.
‘Thar’s no shadows! It’s a friggin’ stick figure comic, ye moron!’ – an angry dwarf to his shadowdancer ally.
Background: Shadowdancers are the rogues who feel more at home in the darkness, and who begin to use it as an ally in a far more practical fashion than most. Whether through careful experimentation or force of will, they begin to bend the darkness to their will.
Races: Drow are particularly suited to this class, but just as all races have rogues and criminals, all races occasionally breed shadowdancers.
Other Classes: Other rogues tend to hate and adore Shadowdancers, having a mixture of jealousy and respect for them.
Role: Shadowdancers make excellent assassins, and are skilled infiltrators.
Shadowdancers in the World: Few Shadowdancers practice openly, due to their association with criminal activity. There are, of course, exceptions, and some Shadowdancers have been employed as diplomats or guards.
Inspiration: PrC seemed underpowered.
Prerequisites
Skills: Hide 8 ranks, Move Silently 8 ranks, Perform (Dance) 4 ranks
Feats: Mobility
Class Features: Evasion
Hit Die: d6
Class Skills: The Shadowdancer’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (local) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha), and Use Rope (Dex).
Skill Points per Level: 8+ Int Modifier
Level
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Special
1st
+0
+0
+2
+0
Shadow Sight, Shadow Step
2nd
+1
+0
+3
+0
Sneak Attack +1d6, Uncanny Dodge
3rd
+2
+1
+3
+1
Hide in Plain Sight, Shadow Theatre
4th
+3
+1
+4
+1
Shadow Stride, Spring Attack
5th
+3
+1
+4
+1
Sneak Attack +2d6, Improved Evasion
6th
+4
+2
+5
+2
Call the Darkness
7th
+5
+2
+5
+2
Shadow Jump
8th
+6
+2
+6
+2
Sneak Attack +3d6, Shadow’s Victims
9th
+6
+3
+6
+3
Shadow Puppets
10th
+7
+3
+7
+3
Shadow Leap
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: The Shadowdancer gains no new weapon or armor proficiencies.
Shadow Sight (Ex): The first lesson a Shadowdancer learns is to see in the dark, to be at home in it. She gains Darkvision out to 60ft. This darkvision is full colour, but does not function in magical darkness, unless created by the Shadowdancer.
Shadow Step (Su): As a move action, the Shadowdancer can teleport up to his normal move speed. Both his start and end point must be within 5ft of a shadow, and he must be able to see the destination.
If the Shadowdancer possesses the Spring Attack feat, he may use it in conjunction with this ability. When doing so, he may teleport up to twice his normal distance as a full round action, and stop to make as many attacks on as many targets as he could on a normal spring attack. However, each waypoint must be within 5ft of a shadow, and he must be able to see each of them.
Sneak Attack (Ex): At 2nd level, and each third level thereafter, the Shadowdancer adds 1d6 to his Sneak Attack. If he does not already possess Sneak Attack, he gains it, as the rogue ability.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex) Starting at 2nd level, a shadowdancer retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. (She still loses any Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.)
If a character gains uncanny dodge from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge, as described in the Rogue class.
Hide in Plain Sight (Ex): A shadowdancer of third level can use the Hide skill even while being observed. As long as she is within 10 feet of some sort of shadow, a shadowdancer can hide herself from view in the open without anything to actually hide behind. She cannot, however, hide in her own shadow.
Shadow Theatre (Sp): A third level Shadowdancer can manipulate the shadows to dance as she wishes. As a standard action at will, she may cast Silent Image. It has a caster level equal to her class level, plus her levels in classes that grant evasion.
Shadow Stride: A fourth level Shadowdancer can step between shadows with far more ease. She doubles the range of her Shadow Step ability, and no longer needs to be able to see her destination, as long as she is at least casually familiar with it. (As described in the teleport spell.)
Spring Attack: A fourth level Shadowdancer receives Spring Attack as a bonus feat. If they already possess that feat, they gain a single bonus feat of their choice.
Improved Evasion (Ex): A fifth level Shadowdancer improves her Evasion ability. While she still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks henceforth she takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless character does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Call the Darkness (Sp): Starting at sixth level, a Shadowdancer may cast Darkness as a spell like ability centered on herself, by using a full round action. She may use this ability at will. It has a caster level equal to her class level, plus her levels in classes that grant evasion.
Shadow Jump (Sp): A seventh level Shadowdancer can cross kingdoms via the shadows. By taking one minute while standing in an area of shadows, she may cast Teleport. She may do this only once a day, and the target area must be in an area of shadows. Her caster level for this ability is equal to her class level, plus her levels in Rogue.
Shadow’s Victims (Su): An eighth level Shadowdancer can imprint limited ghosts, bound to him for several days. Whenever he kills someone, he may use this ability, which is the equivalent of an eighth level spell. The target’s spirit is bound to him for a single day. During this time, he may ask one question per class level, which the spirit is under no obligation to answer truthfully, but must answer. After a day has passed, the spirit almost invariably moves on to the appropriate afterlife. If it is fond of him for some reason, it may remain.
An unwilling spirit may be freed with a successful dispel, but is otherwise immune to all effects, and cannot in any way affect the world, besides talking. If a character is raised from the dead, their spirit is instantly freed from this effect.
Shadow Puppets (Sp): A ninth level Shadowdancer can manipulate those who stand in their shadows. They may cast Dominate Person, Mass Suggestion or Charm Monster once per day as a standard action. The targets must be standing in the shadows. This ability has a caster level equal to her class level, plus her levels in classes that grant evasion.
Shadow Leap (Sp): At tenth level, a Shadowdancer can leap between worlds. By taking one minute while standing in an area of shadows, she may cast Plane Shift. She may do this only once a day, and the target area must be in an area of shadows. This ability has a caster level equal to her class level, plus her levels in classes that grant evasion.