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Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of Shadows (PFRPG)

3.70/5 (based on 3 ratings)
Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of Shadows (PFRPG)
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Rule the Dark!

Embrace the shadows! Whether from the subterranean wilds of the Darklands or otherworldly realms of absolute shadow, heroes can rise from the darkest places. Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of Shadows explores the strange paths and subtle abilities empowered by darkness. Discover the secrets of drow, fetchlings, and wayangs—races infused with lightless powers. Within this player-friendly volume are options and secrets for characters of every class, including a penumbral psychic discipline, shadowy rogue talents, and an oracle mystery that plumbs the depths of darkness.

Inside this book, you'll find:

  • Expanded favored class options and alternate racial traits for three races with strong ties to darkness and shadow: drow, fetchlings, and wayangs.
  • Shadow-themed archetypes, including the dusk knight, the gloom chymist, the shadow walker, and the umbral scion, as well as shadowy feats, spells, and magic items.
  • Shadowborn traits available to members of many races, representing characters with just a trace of shadow in their blood.

This Pathfinder Player Companion is intended for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and the Pathfinder campaign setting, but can easily be incorporated into any fantasy world.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-820-5

Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:

Hero Lab Online
Archives of Nethys

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3.70/5 (based on 3 ratings)

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Cool, but ...

2/5 —

There are a lot of nice options here, but I can't bring myself to give this a higher rating because of uncorrected mistakes. It reflects poorly on the entire work to have a non existent feat listed as a prerequisite for this long without an official correction to the content. I understand that mistakes will be made, but for this to have been out for a full year and still not see the prerequisites for Blinded Master fixed in any way. No errata, blog post, or FAQ entry. Mistakes happen, but I can't believe this has not been mentioned before with the amount of time it's been out and the number of rules lawyer people who play this game.

Blood of Shadows gives dark-loving players what they want!

4/5 —

Thisis a 2016 release from Paizo Publishing as part of its Pathfinder Player Companion series. The cover of this one is by Kiki Moch Rizky and, as is usual in this series, there are several authors.

Presentation
This one is available as both a pdf and a 32 page softcover. I'll be focusing on the print version which is staplebound with thick covers. The entire volume is on glossy paper and in full color. The editing is generally top-notch and the artwork and layout are excellent.

Content
The theme of this tome is shadows and darkness; more specifically it focuses on providing new options to characters who spend (or have spent) a lot of time in the shadows. It mentions some of the creatures you'd expect, but it's really focused more on what happens when races who normally live in the light must instead live in the dark places of the world.

Predictably, it starts out with an introduction which lays out most of what I said in the previous paragraph. It also includes the standard rules index for new rules in this volume. There are a handful of archetypes, about 20 feats, and about 20 other rules options.

The first chapter talks about alternate racial traits available to those who have lived in shadows or light. There are traits for each of the main races of the core rulebook and they are provided with both replacement traits and points for those using the point build system.

Transformed by Shadow covers new traits and feats for Fetchlings and provides new rogue talents usable by fetchlings and by other thieves and the chapter ends with a new archetype for fetchling rogues.

The next chapter is a bit of a reversal and covers the Wayang, creatures from the plane of shadow who are now trapped here. There are new racial traits, feats, favorite classes, and even spells. There's a new eidolon subtype called Shadow. There's also information on Shadow Ink Tattoos and a new path for Oracles: Shadow.

Transformed by Darklands introduces Dro and Half-Drow characters. It provides new racial traits, favored class options, feats, spells, and rules for Shadow as a bloodrage bloodline, psychic discipline, weapon blessings and subdomain.

Shadowy Archetypes provide new Archetypes for shadowy paladins, alchemists, and sorcerers with appropriate ability changes for each.

Fighting in the Dark provides some general and specific tactics for fighting in the dark. It ends up with a selection of magical items which provide light in a variety of ways.

The next few sections provide a couple of pages each on Shadow weapons, shadowy feats, magic items with a shadowy theme, and spells with a penumbral and a shadow theme.

Evaluation
I've never read a Drizzt book, so I may not be the core audience for this supplement, but that doesn't matter. I think a lot of people think about what it would be like to be a shadowy man from a shadowy plane(t), and this book gives you the chance to do just that. There are plenty of options for standard races to be just a little different than their light-loving peers.

I think there are a lot of neat ideas here and the book is nice and thorough with shadowy touches for nearly every class and every race in the core rulebook. If you want to be Drizzt or a medieval Riddick, this is your chance.

Strong, thematic new options

5/5 —

I really enjoyed this one. It provides good options for select dark/shadow focused races, shadow options for classes (oracle mystery, alchemist archetype, rogue archetype, psychic discipline), theoretical guidance on using and defending against darkness as an environmental weapon, and new gear and spells that provide fun, creative new options.

Highly recommended to flesh out existing character concepts or inspire a shadow themed party or campaign.

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Dark Archive
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
QuidEst wrote:

*checks email repeatedly*

In the meantime, if somebody with the PDF, time, and inclination would oblige, I'd love to hear at least a general summary of stuff Fetchlings get. Or just any alternate racial stuff if they've got a bunch of things spread out.

Spoiler:

A page and a half of new Rogue talents, a Shadow Walker Rogue archetype, a column's worth of alternate racial features, favored class bonuses for 14 different classes, and 3 new feats.

Yeah, it's pretty spread out. There are 4 page spreads for each of the three main races covered in this book.
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

What are the details of the oracle mystery and psychic discipline?
Kvantum wrote:
QuidEst wrote:

*checks email repeatedly*

In the meantime, if somebody with the PDF, time, and inclination would oblige, I'd love to hear at least a general summary of stuff Fetchlings get. Or just any alternate racial stuff if they've got a bunch of things spread out.

** spoiler omitted **

Thanks! Sounds like there will be plenty to play around with.

Dark Archive
Kvantum wrote:
QuidEst wrote:

*checks email repeatedly*

In the meantime, if somebody with the PDF, time, and inclination would oblige, I'd love to hear at least a general summary of stuff Fetchlings get. Or just any alternate racial stuff if they've got a bunch of things spread out.

** spoiler omitted **

Thx for the info Kvantum.

Can you tell me what's in it for drow?
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

PDFs are going out? *Gasp*

Shadow Walker is Fetchling only? Is it Shadowdancer-lite as an archetype?

Sadly, I'll have to wait for the physical book. A list of the archetypes, what classes they're for, the spells (just the names), and the fighting style feats (again, just the names) would be appreciated if any generous souls who have their PDF is willing to volunteer the information.

URP!

I would love insight into the rogue talents (and if any can be taken by slayers), the Shadow Walker Archetype (trade-for-trade abilities?) and the fighting styles.
Kvantum wrote:

PDFs are starting to make their way out. As for the Dusk Knight...

** spoiler omitted **

Really? That long for just THAT ability? That does seem a waste.

So what do the Wayang's get? Do they get anything related to their goddess of darkness and rats, Lao Shu Po?
5 people marked this as a favorite.

This book better talk about the D'DEW.
Cthulhudrew wrote:
This book better talk about the D'DEW.

What the heck is that?!!

Thomas Seitz wrote:
Cthulhudrew wrote:
This book better talk about the D'DEW.
What the heck is that?!!

It's a new flavor of Mountain Dew. Didn't you see the Superbowl commercial?

Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Something tells me I shouldn't believe you...
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Do Wayangs get cool favored class bonuses like the Fetchling?
Liberty's Edge
Thomas Seitz wrote:

[dice=Sense Motive] 1d20+12=

Something tells me I shouldn't believe you...

Roll a Knowledge: Pop Culture!

(It's a reference to the TV show Galavant. Worth watching, actually, although season 2 wasn't quite as good as season 1.)
Advocates
Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
BardWannabe wrote:
So what do the Wayang's get? Do they get anything related to their goddess of darkness and rats, Lao Shu Po?

Similarly interested in the wayang options. If I get my PDF soon I'll try to help with spoilers too~

So what are the shadow related traits/feats anyone can take?

Any racial feats?
Dark Archive
5 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Here's the Rules Index. I think this might serve as a good, overall teaser, so folks know what to expect and if they want to buy this one or not (the answer to that one is YES!)

Spoiler:
ARCHETYPES
Dusk knight Paladin 18
Gloom chymist Alchemist 18
Shadow walker Rogue 9
Umbral scion Sorcerer 19

FEATS
Blinded Blade Style Combat, Style 24
Blinded Competence Combat 24
Blinded Master Combat 24
Cloak and Dagger Style Combat, Style 24
Cloak and Dagger Subterfuge Combat 25
Cloak and Dagger Tactics Combat 25
Crepuscular Cowl — 7
Drow Spirit — 15
Eclipsed Spell Metamagic 25
Extra Light and Dark — 11
Extra Ninja Trick — 25
Extra Shadow Jump — 25
Flexible Shadow Jump — 25
Improved Shadowy Resistance — 7
Shadow Magic Defense — 7
Snuffing Spell Metamagic 25
Surface Scout — 15
Wayang Soothsayer — 11

OTHER RULES OPTIONS
Advanced rogue talents 8
Darkborn alternate racial traits 5
Drow alternate racial traits 14
Drow favored class options 15
Drow spells 15
Fetchling alternate racial traits 6
Fetchling favored class options 6
Half-elf alternate racial traits 14
Illumination magic items 21
Penumbral spells 28
Rogue talents 7
Shadow blessing (warpriest blessing) 17
Shadow (bloodrager bloodline) 16
Shadow eidolon (unchained summoner) 11
Shadow ink tattoos 12
Shadow magic items 26
Shadow (oracle mystery) 12
Shadow (psychic discipline) 17
Shadow spells 30
Shadow subdomain (cleric subdomain) 17
Shadowborn alternate racial traits 4
Shadowcraft weapons 22
Wayang alternate racial traits 10
Wayang favored class options 10
Wayang spells 11

Very nice! Bloodrager Bloodline! And much more!
May I have my PDF now?! Please? Pretty please? (yes, I am reduced to begging!)
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Kvantum wrote:

Here's the Rules Index. I think this might serve as a good, overall teaser, so folks know what to expect and if they want to buy this one or not (the answer to that one is YES!)

** spoiler omitted **

Awesome, thanks for posting this!

Kvantum wrote:

Here's the Rules Index. I think this might serve as a good, overall teaser, so folks know what to expect and if they want to buy this one or not (the answer to that one is YES!)

** spoiler omitted **

nice! thanks!

Spoiler:
I'd be very interested in the specifics of Blinded Blade Style. Is it powerful enough to replace the need for Glitterdust or other invisibility-countering spells?

Looks like there is a lot of stuff in this one.
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Thomas Seitz wrote:
Cthulhudrew wrote:
This book better talk about the D'DEW.
What the heck is that?!!

Puppy.

Monkey.
Baby.

Thanks for the info, I'm definitely buying this PDF in a couple of weeks.

Any teasers on the Psychic shadow discipline? I'm wondering how well I can predict what its bonus spell list. Any new spells or off-class choices?

A shadow bloodrager bloodline!?!?! Yes please! I do hope it works in a way I'm hoping it will work... Very much looking forward to this pdf in a few weeks.
Faelyn wrote:
A shadow bloodrager bloodline!?!?! Yes please! I do hope it works in a way I'm hoping it will work... Very much looking forward to this pdf in a few weeks.

Just give in to Paizo and subscribe! That way you will get it ASAP...though I am still waiting on mine. :(

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Fourshadow wrote:
Faelyn wrote:
A shadow bloodrager bloodline!?!?! Yes please! I do hope it works in a way I'm hoping it will work... Very much looking forward to this pdf in a few weeks.
Just give in to Paizo and subscribe! That way you will get it ASAP...though I am still waiting on mine. :(

If they did a PDF only version of the subscription, I'd be all over it. I just don't have the room for all those books.

Kryzbyn wrote:
Thomas Seitz wrote:
Cthulhudrew wrote:
This book better talk about the D'DEW.
What the heck is that?!!

Puppy.

Monkey.
Baby.

Yeah not interested in that.

What's the Shadow Mystery like ? what kind of revelations ?

I'm curious about the umbral scion, is it a full class version of the really cool prestige class?
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Wolfism wrote:
I'm curious about the umbral scion, is it a full class version of the really cool prestige class?

Really cool prestige class? I'm familiar with the Umbral Scion Drow feats, but not any PrC.

Ah wait, the Umbral Court Agent? That could be interesting.
Liberty's Edge

Cloak and Dagger style, you say...

*goes back to clicking refresh on my PDF section and email*
Liberty's Edge
Thomas Seitz wrote:
Kryzbyn wrote:
Thomas Seitz wrote:
Cthulhudrew wrote:
This book better talk about the D'DEW.
What the heck is that?!!

Puppy.

Monkey.
Baby.
Yeah not interested in that.

Actually the D'DEW is a reference to the second season of Galavant. I know nothing of the Puppy Monkey Baby or any relation it has to Galavant.

D'DEW stands for Dark Dark Evil Way

gray,

Some how that makes that worse...
Scarab Sages Developer
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Cthulhudrew wrote:
This book better talk about the D'DEW.

Sorry, no. We felt Agents of Evil had come out too recently for a D'DEW spread to make sense.

Agreed Owen. This book doesn't need more evil.
Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:
Cthulhudrew wrote:
This book better talk about the D'DEW.
Sorry, no. We felt Agents of Evil had come out too recently for a D'DEW spread to make sense.

Thank you! Wayangs do not strike me as evil at all.

Eager to check out the Dusk Knight...as soon as my order ships. :(

Not planning to get this one, but super excited about new style feats and would love more info.

I believe people are reeeeeally going to like the "Flexible Shadow Jumper" feat.

HINT: There's a certain "dimensional" chain of feats connected to it...
Contributor
6 people marked this as a favorite.
Barachiel Shina wrote:

I believe people are reeeeeally going to like the "Flexible Shadow Jumper" feat.

HINT: There's a certain "dimensional" chain of feats connected to it...

I aim to please, and Owen is pretty fantastic in every sense of the word.

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Secret Wizard wrote:
Not planning to get this one, but super excited about new style feats and would love more info.

Blinded Blade Style lets you not take penalties to strength/dex-based skills due to blindness. You get bonuses to perception checks that don't involve sight. You also get limited scent and the ability to ignore perception prereqs for the blindfight feats (kinda).

Blinded Competence lets you hit things without even making perception checks with your weapon.

Blinded Master lets you pinpoint creatures while using the style like blindsight to 30 feet. And you get bonuses against feinting.

Cloak and Dagger lets you use a dirty trick in the surprise round in addition to an attack with a weapon you pick out (light melee). And, if someone would try to remove a dirty trick condition, it provokes an attack of opportunity from you.

Cloak and Dagger Subterfuge lets you make a free dirty trick against someone that you make an attack of opportunity against. Then, if you succeed on a dirty trick, you can make a free steal check against them.

Cloak and Dagger Tactics lets you attempt dirty tricks for more things (vital strikes, flanked opponents, or denied dex), and if you succeed, they make a fort save (int based) or they take even more penalties.

Base abilities. There are more to each of those, but those are the basics.

I have to admit that the fact that Alex has announced that he will release a third party book covering Wayangs has me a bit worried that I will be disappointed with the Wayang section of this book. I know we only get one shot at getting some good PFS legal options.
Contributor
2 people marked this as a favorite.
BardWannabe wrote:
I have to admit that the fact that Alex has announced that he will release a third party book covering Wayangs has me a bit worried that I will be disappointed with the Wayang section of this book. I know we only get one shot at getting some good PFS legal options.

I wrote the wayang section of this book.

Great. I'm looking forward to it.
Paizo Employee Developer

Very cool but, but I feel like there are a couple things I'll have to correct "skimmers" at my table if used incorrectly...

Spoiler:

The ability to treat Shadowdancer's stuff as Dimensional Door for feats is cool, but you can't use it with the Rogue's new talent introduced in this book, which is a little disheartening.

Furthermore the new rogue talent that functions as a variation of Offensive Defense, but for saving throws? The memorable part of Offensive Defense was the fact the bonus stacked, and while it should be obvious this one doesn't stack, making it a circumstance bonus is a little misleading (since circumstance bonuses kinda stacks, just from the same source). If there was an errata that made it stack, I'd be hog heaven.

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Eclipsed Spell

… what?

Spoiler:
So, either this does nothing (the spell raises or lowers light level and the metamagic makes it do the opposite as well), or it lets you cast Darkness as a 10 min/level cantrip. It's really unclear what the intent is. How does it interact with Light's mention that it doesn't have any effect in normal or bright light? Could we get some designer clarification here?
Shadow Lodge

Woot Woot! My subscriptions are in my inbox! Goodbye academic responsibilities hello reading!
1 person marked this as a favorite.

The shadow bloodrager bloodline was actually kinda disappointing.

Abilities:

Feat list is mediocre, improved initiative and combat reflexes the only real standouts

Spell list is ok, 3 unique spells, but deeper darkness at 3rd is the only real standout of them, darkvision at 2 and shadow conjuration at 4 is meh

1st level ability improves your vision one-step (normal to lowlight, lowlight to darkvision, adds range to darkvision)
4th level sounds good at first, but is only ok. When you enter a bloodrage you lower light levels within 30 ft by 1 step (magical lights survive with caster level check). But note that it occurs when you enter the rage, and doesn't move with you.
8th level ability gives cold resistance growing to immunity and a very small amount of cold damage
12th level ability lets you target touch AC 3 times a day.
16th level gives you a pretty limited daily pool of teleportation that cant be used in bright light
20th level gives you perfect vision in all darkness, and adds 2 points of strength damage whenever you deal hitpoint damage with a spell or attack with no save.

The capstone is can either be incredibly good to useless depending on the enemy at that point, but overall, its a pretty limited bloodline.
QuidEst wrote:

Eclipsed Spell

… what?

** spoiler omitted **

The spell say nothing about changing other restrictions, so an eclipsed light spell could only be used to make dim light darkness. Eclipsed light could still be countered by other light sources, mundane or magical, as it doesn't have the extra effects of the actually darkness spell.

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