Shadow Dancer, does anyone use it, how can it be fixed if not?


Homebrew and House Rules


I adore the class concept, but when working off a rogue, the lack of sneak attack is depressing and disturbing, and it really seems it lends itself conceptually to rogue builds.

However, considering the nice casting effects, it seems like it could also be a PrC for casters nicely, something like a Dragon Disciple for the Shadow Bloodline, or some kind of wizard specializing in illusion.

Considering the need Perform Dance, it would do well for Bards too, which it also fails to advance

At the moment I can only see it being a martial class advancement, and it doesn't do that very well either...

So what is it, what does it do, should it be fixed to allow the continuation of class abilities? As such how should it be fixed?


I think Shadow Dancer is still mostly relegated to the same role it had in the 3.5 era -- a one or two-level dip class. At least that's how I've used it.

The stuff you get at level 1 and 2 (hide in plain sight, darkvision, evasion, uncanny dodge) are excellent. After that ... well, the abilities are flavorful, but not mechanically compelling.


What about Shadow Jump. Personally I love that ability and take it into epic if I am able, because it quickly becomes like a mile a day


It seems worth a 1 level dip for a rogue, slayer, bard or a stealthy ranged character.

The Exchange

I don't think it has to be 'fixed': the shadowdancer's niche is not spellcasting- or combat-related any more than an investigator's. The dancer is excellent as a solo NPC. As a PC he's useful as a scout - similar to a ninja or ranger but with his own distinct power suite.


I once had an ancient copper dragon shadow dancer, his shadow was an epic battle in and of itself.


If you want it to be "fixed", let it stack with Rogue for Rogue-level dependent talents and Debilitating Injury, give it a strong Will save, and give it +1d6 Sneak Attack at 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th. That will keep it somewhat competitive with the base Rogue until later levels. Consider also gifting in the Ninja ki pool or something.


I think the misconception is that it "has to go together with rogue".
Base it off of a fighter or barb, grab a two-handed weapon, dip 2-4 levels and go to town.

Ruyan.

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Similar to other prestige classes, I don't find the shadow dancer very interesting. There's very little to it. Summon Shadow and Shadow Jump are pretty much the only unique abilities it has. It would be better as an archetype to the rogue, bard, investigator, or slayer.


Hide in Plain Sight is pretty cool. You just need to be within 10 feet of an area of dim light, not actually in an area of dim light, so you could basically stand under a spotlight in a dark room and folks still won't know where you are.

Using something like Spring Attack or Wand Dancer you could potentially dance out of the shadows, cause some havoc, and then disappear again. The shadow companion can also work well with a build focused on debuffs.

At higher levels something like a shadow celestial dire tiger could be a pretty cool flanking buddy. At lower levels I guess you could probably get airborne on a shadow dire bat (perhaps you'd have to sing, "I believe I can fly"?) or summon some shadow dretches to release "shadow gas".


1. Take all the Shadow Dancer's class features.
2. Turn them all into rogue/slayer talents.
3. Do the same with the assassin PrC.
4. And the spy PrC, and so on.
5. Done.


RuyanVe wrote:

I think the misconception is that it "has to go together with rogue".

Base it off of a fighter or barb, grab a two-handed weapon, dip 2-4 levels and go to town.

Ruyan.

It's not necessarily a Rogue thing, but Sneak Attack benefits anybody who attacks from stealth, and Hide in Plain Sight provides exactly that. Plus, it offers Rogue Talents, which for whatever reason, don't stack with Rogue levels to determine the benefits.

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