Shadow Human Elemental Savant

[JackMage666]

So, I'm building a character in my head. I'm not looking for build advice here, just a clarification to the rules which I am unable to find.

The initial race idea is a Shadow Human, which is possible and fun. Now, let's say he goes through his classes (I'm thinking Warmage X / Spellwarded Sniper X / Elemental Savant X). This is all well and good, but what happens if I choose to go to Elemental Savant 10, and become an elemental?
The Shadow Template can not normally be applied to Elemental Creatures, therein lies the problem. However, I'm not sure if this is a case that would overrule it, because your a Shadow creature who later gains Elemental, not an Elemental creature trying to inheret the Shadow template.

Basically, I'd like to know if it would be in concurrence with the rules to become a Shadow (Air-Earth-Fire-Water) Elemental through this course of action.

[Jasdoif]

I believe you're only to required to qualify for the template when it's applied. There are example creatures on WotC's site (here) that involve applying a template to change a creature's type to make it eligible for a second template; such an arrangement wouldn't work if the base creature had to qualify for all templates at all times.

[RTGoodman]

I think it's fine. It probably says something like "the Shadow template can be applied to any Humanoid" or whatever, and when you added/inherited the template, you met the requirement. Now, if you were an Elemental already and tried to add the Shadow template, it wouldn't work, but as it is you're fine.

EDIT: Ah, 1d6 sudden strike damage!

[JackMage666]

Alright. It shouldn't be gamebreaking or anything, so I don't think it'll be hard to pass by the DM.

Another question, though - What base class would be best? I'm set on the Spellwarped Sniper/Elemental Savant aspect, but it seems I can choose between Favored Soul, Warmage, and Sorcerer for the base class. Favored Soul is my favorite, but I don't know if their spell list is good enough to make anything useful from this build or not. Warmage of course is Master-Blaster, and Sorcerer gives me more versatility. So, any tips?

[Fishy]

Hmm. Actually, would that just turn you into a Shadow Elemental from ToM?

[JackMage666]

Mechanically, no. It would be awesome, though. Quite awesome.

[RTGoodman]

Hmm. Actually, would that just turn you into a Shadow Elemental from ToM?

No, but if you went with Fire as your Elemental Savant focus, you'd be a being made of both fire AND shadow, meaning you're basically a Balrog. And that's AWESOME.

As for base classes, I have no idea. I mean, if you're going for biggest number of spells that you can use, I guess you could just go with Rogue 1/Wizard X/Spellwarp Sniper X build, but that loses you at least one caster level (can't remember if the Sniper makes you lose any). You could substitue Warmage, but you'll still need a level of Rogue/Ninja/Spellthief/whatever to meet the SA requirement. I can't seem to find a Spellwarp Sniper Handbook or Optimization thread or anything, either, so I can't really help much.

[JackMage666]

Ah.. I forgot about the Sneak Attack requirement. I'll likely just nab a level of Spelltheif, then take the Master Spelltheif feat, so I can awesomely Steal Spells (since my Caster Level will be high), and then be a Evocation Master Specialist Wizard. I realize this isn't a fantasticly optimized build, but it's what I'm going for. Thanks guys!

[RTGoodman]

Ah.. I forgot about the Sneak Attack requirement. I'll likely just nab a level of Spelltheif, then take the Master Spelltheif feat, so I can awesomely Steal Spells (since my Caster Level will be high), and then be a Evocation Master Specialist Wizard. I realize this isn't a fantasticly optimized build, but it's what I'm going for. Thanks guys!

Yeah, but IIRC (and I'm AFB so I can't check) Master Spellthief only affects the levels of spells you can STEAL - you're still limited by your actual Spellthief level for being able to store or cast what you've stolen. I could be wrong, though, and if you're not worried about actually re-casting the stolen spells, that should be fine.

Also, definitely check out THIS thread - it has basically ever spell in 3.x that's eligible for warping, sorted by whether or not they have SR, Reflex saves, and stuff like that.

[JackMage666]

Hmm, that makes it less awesome, but the fact I can take away a 9th level spell from a caster with a Sneak Attack is still a pretty awesome idea. Sure, I can't recast, but I can keep them from using it.