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Is it possible to make a "phase shifting" character?

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Sysryke

12:36 am

As the title suggests, but it's me, so I'ma get wordy, but try to clarify. (Thought maybe I'd discussed this before, but can't find anything in my old threads).

Is it possible to build a character like ShadowCat from the X-MEN? I think the relevant game mechanic keyword is either "incorporeal" or "intangible", not sure which.

Ideally, the goal would be to access at least a small version of this at level 1, but if not possible, what's the minimum level this can be achieved?

At the most basic level this would be a defensive and utility ability allowing one to pass through solid objects or avoid physical attacks, perhaps for just a round at a time. As levels are gained, durations should increase. Greater application would allow for the phasing of touched objects or allies, air walking to move up or down through ceilings and floors, and eventually some form of phase attack to corporeal beings. I imagine that progression might look something like non-lethal damage, staggering effects, lethal damage, stun effects, ability damage.

It is preferable if this ability is at least somewhat divorced from ties to either the Astral or Ethereal Planes, but that may not be possible in the system. More important is that the intangibility not automatically come with invisibility.

Gas, mist, or liquid forms aren't truly in the spirit of this, but may be low level necessary stepping stones.

Casters are the most likely path here, but it's a bonus if this could be done without a bunch of extraneous spells or abilities diluting the theme. Acceptable extras would be taking things the other direction by "massing" or "condensing" which I would just assume are reflavored skin/armor/shield spells.

I'm trying to search, but I look forward to any help or ideas you all may have :)

Mysterious Stranger

5 hours, 26 minutes ago

In all honesty the concept you are trying to play would work better in a different game system like Champions. Pathfinder is simply not suited for this type of character. It is designed to simulate a completely different genre.

The abilities you are looking will usually be extremely limited and only available at higher levels.

Azothath

5 hours, 8 minutes ago

the easiest way is to have your PC killed off by a shadow or shade.

ooooh, wait, you wanted something you could play as a PC... lol...
incorporeal is the right term. here's your search list
You'd have to see if your GM would let you play one, maybe using the old Emancipated Undead PrC.
You'll need Ghost Touch on any usable objects. Ghosts get a freebie but they are higher CR dramatic challenges.

A similar effect is from the spell Blink:T3. Not quite the same.
Magic Jar would be the other way but you need a "life force" to displace/target.

I grok do u

23 minutes ago

Incorporeal is a higher level ability for some classes/bloodlines/ archetypes:

Spiritualist:

Incorporeal Bonded Manifestation: When a spiritualist uses this ability and chooses incorporeal form, she becomes shrouded in a haze of insubstantial mist, granting her concealment against ranged attacks. At 8th level, the spiritualist can better affect incorporeal creatures with melee attacks; her unarmed strikes and melee weapon attacks are treated as if they had the ghost touch magic weapon special ability. At 13th level, the spiritualist can take a standard action to become invisible (as the invisibility spell) until the start of her next turn. At 18th level, the spiritualist gains the incorporeal subtype and a fly speed of 30 feet (good) while using this form of bonded manifestation.

Undead bloodline Sorcerer:

Incorporeal Form (Sp): At 15th level, you can become incorporeal for 1 round per sorcerer level. While in this form, you gain the incorporeal subtype. You only take half damage from corporeal sources as long as they are magic (you take no damage from non-magic weapons and objects). Likewise, your spells deal only half damage to corporeal creatures. Spells and other effects that do not deal damage function normally. You can use this ability once per day.

Formless Adept Psychic:

Formless adept Formless Body: A formless adept gradually sheds his body, taking on increasingly nebulous forms. A formless adept can assume a formless body as a standard action. He can remain in each formless body type for a number of rounds per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier. The rounds don’t have to be used consecutively, but must be used in 1-round increments. Resuming his physical form takes another standard action; otherwise, the formless adept continues spending rounds of formless body until he runs out of them. The formless adept must return to his physical form before assuming a different formless body.

Blurred Body (Su): At 1st level, a formless adept can act under the effect of a blur spell. At 5th level, the formless adept can use this ability for a number of minutes per day instead of rounds per day. These minutes don’t have to be used consecutively, but must be used in 1-minute increments.

Gaseous Body (Su): At 5th level, a formless adept can become gaseous as gaseous form. At 13th level, the formless adept can use this ability for a number of minutes per day instead of rounds per day. These minutes don’t have to be used consecutively, but must be used in 1-minute increments.

Incorporeal Body (Su): At 13th level, a formless adept can become incorporeal (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 301).

This ability replaces the psychic discipline and discipline powers class features.

Spells that could mimic the abilities you want:
Burrow
Phase Door
Ethereal Jaunt
Windy Escape

Getting something like Earthglide from elemental shape or bloodline powers gives some 'pass through walls' capability.

As already said, not really an ability set the game has early on, and rare for PCs.