PFS Core Barbarian Shadow Dancer

[Revolving Door Alternate]

Ok, looking for something different weird while still within Core. This is what I’ve settled on.

Sneak… sneak… raging pole axe from the shadows! Just strikes me as amusing.

So, what I have so far is (none of this is definite, so feel free to suggest):
Half-Orc
Str 18(16+2), Dex 14, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 7
Alignment: Neutral
Faction: Grand Lodge
Traits: Dangerously Curious and History of Heresy

Feats
1 Combat Reflexes
2 Rage Power: Animal Fury (d4 bite)
3 Dodge
Rage Power: Superstition
5 Mobility
6 Rage Power: No Escape
7 Shadow Dancer and Power Attack
9 Bull Rush or Improved Sunder
11 Iron Will

Primary Weapon would be a guisarme for reach to take advantage of the combat reflexes. Then a greataxe and spiked gauntlets to use if they close.

Suggestions?

[Cuup]

I like the imagery here. The only things I would change are the Animal Fury and Superstition Rage Powers (swap with Intimidating Glare, and Terrifying Howl when available), and replace your 9th level feat with Intimidating Prowess. I love the idea of this murderous creature of the shadows specializing in scaring the pants off of others. I know that would mean delaying your Shadowdancer progression, but as long as you're making this unorthodox Barbarian, you might as well go all the way!

[Secret Wizard]

Can you use Stealth while raging?

[Metux]

Coherent Rage
Source Faction Guide pg. 62

Requirement(s) Ulfen Guard
Your determination allows you to hold onto a shred of your rational mind at all times. Select one of the following skills: Bluff, Escape Artist, Handle Animal, or Stealth. You may use this skill normally while raging.

----------------
You can with this trait.

[Secret Wizard]

I know, but I didn't see it in the build, plus that's not from Core.

[Krell44]

Well, the OP could stealth around to get into attack position, and then activate rage when he attacks.

However, the picture in my mind is of a Half Orc sneaking around behind someone, and doing his best to stifle his laughter because he knows he is about to wreck someone.

[Revolving Door Alternate]

Not a Core trait. But I wasn't planning on raging while sneaking. It would be a sneak into position. Then a screaming huge halforc with an axe jumping out of the shadows at someone.

Terrifying Howl is pretty kool, but I don't know if I want to go that high in barbarian. That would mean only 3 levels of shadow dancer when/if retired.

[Revolving Door Alternate]

Should a guisarme wielding barbarian/shadow dancer be from the Mwangi jungle or the frozen north?

[Blackvial]

Revolving Door Alternate wrote:

Should a guisarme wielding barbarian/shadow dancer be from the Mwangi jungle or the frozen north?

i would say the Mwangi Expanse because of the shadows caused by the jungle

[Alexander S. Modeus]

Huh. i was actually just thinking of pulling something like this off. Except MY prerequisites will be Barb 2/Ranger 3, if only for the Favored Terrain and free Precise Shot (otherwise, I won't be able to switch hit very well). I also have a bit more Con and Wisdom on me from being a dwarf, but only 16 Strength.

I'm interested in hearing your experience with the character.

[Revolving Door Alternate]

I have a strength bow for when I need it, but not really going for the whole switch hitter thing. I've been finding almost a third of the core characters I've seen are switch hitting rangers. So I don't think it will be a necessary skill set for me to provide.

Mostly using him in PbP so it will be a very slow advancement.

[Imbicatus]

How deep into shadowdancer are you going? With Barbarian HP, the shadow companion should be pretty beefy.

[Revolving Door Alternate]

Not entirely sure.

I was originally planning 5 or 6 levels of barbarian and 6 or 5 levels of shadow dancer.

But Cuup had a good concept that would require 8 levels of barbarian and only 3 of shadow dancer.

[Drogos]

Get the Shadow Companion ASAP. They are really strong.

I'm playing a Halfling Ranger into Shadowdancer. I'm going an even split, first 6 in Ranger, remaining in Shadowdancer. The concept is to build for Reach and Spring Attack to be a mobile striker. I'll post my planned build below. Obviously, you'll have some differences, and you'll get to take advantage of Enlarge Person to make your doughnut of death that much bigger.

1) Ranger - Combat Reflexes, Favored Enemy: Human
2) Ranger - Precise Shot*
3) Ranger - Dodge, Endurance*, Favored Terrain: Urban
4) Ranger - Hunter's Bond: Companions
5) Ranger - Mobility, Favored Enemy: Undead
6) Ranger - Improved Precise Shot*
7) Shadowdancer - Lunge
8) Shadowdancer
9) Shadowdancer - Spring Attack, Rogue Talent: Power Attack or Weapon Focus, Shadow Companion

I made some of my character decisions because of the CORE character challenge. If I were to redo it, I would probably build a bit different with the following.

Human Barbarian 2/Cleric 3 of Cyaden Caileen (Strength & Travel Domains)/Shadowdancer 3, then likely finish with Barbarian. I'd keep the Feats largely the same except pick up Power Attack at 1st. I'd use buff spells to up offensive power (Enlarge Person, Bull's Strength, etc) and Mithral Breastplate. With that much movement and the ability to become large, you will have little trouble controlling the battlefield. You just need enough WIS to be able to cast spells (12+headband ought to be more than enough), CHA is an afterthought, because channeling is not horribly important to you.

[666bender]

I have a thread on builds i thought would rock.

Lore warden 3/ thug rogue 3/ shadow dancer 1 / lore x.
Hit once, and stack effects.
Your foe is shaken, feared, sicken, dazzeled and prone in 1 att and you are gone.

Another is a weird one.
Cavalier x, sd3.
Why? Use hosteling armor.
You can charge for super damage.
You can fight with mount and shadow.
You can host your mount, and spring attack onto shadows.

[ElterAgo]

This is for PFS Core (means only CRB). Neither of those builds are legal.

[xDemoquinx]

Can you do a write up on the lore warden build?

666bender wrote:

I have a thread on builds i thought would rock.

Lore warden 3/ thug rogue 3/ shadow dancer 1 / lore x.
Hit once, and stack effects.
Your foe is shaken, feared, sicken, dazzeled and prone in 1 att and you are gone.

Another is a weird one.
Cavalier x, sd3.
Why? Use hosteling armor.
You can charge for super damage.
You can fight with mount and shadow.
You can host your mount, and spring attack onto shadows.