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Ninja is likely the best fit - it benefits from having high charisma, and the flavor is undeniable. Plus it helps you get sneak attack.
Really, though, the class is for people who would rather have the versatility and sneakiness that comes with Shadowdancer than the power that comes with sticking with your class. I seem to remember someone saying something about a Paladin/Shadowdancer they played like Batman...
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First comment, UMD and a wand of darkness (or same and a cleric to use it on you before scouting) solves the lighting problems except when fully out in the open in daylight.
Second, having seen a Shadowdancer in play in my campaign, I think that rogue as an entry class is probably a poor choice because the class lacks the ability to do any extra combat damage, just doing debuffs through the shadow companion.
I'm guessing that Paladin would be pretty cool, as would Ranger or Fighter. They would be beefier Shadowdancers and would rely on static damage bonuses from smite, favored enemy and weapon specialization or training to contribute. Paladin would be pretty touchy depending on how totalitarian a particular GM was totalitarian is in his interpretation of Lawful and Good sneaking around with a strength draining undead monsterous companion.
The martial class versions should be built for critical hitting to take advantage of the capstone blindness ability, which is pretty strong if you play at those levels.
I think the fighter version could well be better if they used one of the templates that gives up heavy armour training, though if they kept those proficiencies, it sets up mithril breastplate and shield wielding scouts.
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The idea to spend a standard action and money/talents to be able to use some class ability is not impressive.
Furthermore the Shadowdancer doesnt need condition no light, he needs dim light. So casting darkness in normal light doesnt help.
Darkness lowers normal light (any lighting in a dungeon) to dim light, and if the source is shieldable, you can bring it in or out as desired.
Deeper darkness does the same outdoors in the daylight.
Further, the duration is a minute/level so not bad as a cast before scouting trick.
I'd imagine a drow would make a good one considering they can cast darkness as a spell-like ability. The party would have to be able to fight in darkness themselves however.
yeah, i had a proposed build (havent played it yet) that was a Paladin with Unsanctioned Knowledge, possibly in combination with Sacred Servant; giving you a domain and its associated powers and spells.
It definitely made for a stealthy, batman like character, assuming the Darkness domain.
Another good idea is a low STR ranger taking the two handed style for free power attack (and Cleave at level 6), ignoring prerequisites. Hit Spring Attack ASAP, and you become a very mobile, hard to find/hit character. You also have access to various wands/spells via ranger, giving you some extra utility.
Many of the rogue talents you suddenly gain access to also mesh well with a ranger.
Be warned, it will take longer/ be harder to kill opponents. However, you do gain some handy defensive abilities, and should always be outside of the threatened areas larger monsters have; thus you will probably be taking less damage. OF course, at the cost of dealing less in return...
Dawnflower Dervish and the lightning/wind stance feats with spring attack and boots of striding/springing has served me well so far. Step 1. Cast expeditious retreat and hide. Steps 2-x, cut the crap out of people while tumbling all over the place like a monkey on crack. Dimension door to a better hiding spot if anyone finds you. Sprinkle in Shadow touches to desired flavor.
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Carn - read the spell. Darkness isn't the same as 3.5 darkness. It does what I describe.
Darkness takes normal light to dim light.
Deeper Darkness takes bright light to dim light.
The real bummer about the class is it does nothing to increase damage potential. It makes for God scouts in the dark and mobile defensive characters but their BAB is poor and they don't get sneak attack progression so from a combat point of view, it's a trap with a bunch of dead levels. The only thing that helps is the shadow companion (which is really powerful at its early levels when lots of foes don't have magic weapons) but once you're above 10th level, the companion is too squishy and is one full attack from death and hard to heal.
Greetings, fellow travellers.
Just to chime in:
I see the ranger as best fit for shadow dancer, like Kat elaborated.
Take ranger to lvl 6 for 2nd attack, 2nd combat style feat, increase in saves, 5 fav enemies, take a bird for scouting and other goodies.
Don't forget your shadow companion: incorporeal flanking body, doing Str damage on touch AC? Yes, please. With ranger as base class, it will be a little bit less squishy, too.
If you absolutely need dim light, couldn't you just prepare some pebbles with light cast on them and create dim light even in total darkness. Also, I've yet to play at a table where everybody has darkvision so some kind of light source will be already there in any event.
Ruyan.
Ninja'ed while hammering away.
My idea for a Shadowdancer was a Halfling Fighter/Rogue. Halfling give you +2 to Dex and Cha. Plus small size adds to your to hit, ac and stealth. The minus -2 to Str is mitigated by going with Weapon Finesse. (Of course I play with a house rule that everyone essentially gets Weapon Finesse for free and taking the Weapon Finesse feat gives you a +2 to damage with Finesse weapons.)
Take one level of Rogue (to get you the rogue feel right away) and four levels of Fighter. Then go Shadowdancer at 6th level all the way. All Fighter after that.
By level 7 you have: +1d6 Sneak Attack, Trapfinding +1, Bravery +1, Armor Training +1, Hide in Plain Sight, Darkvision, Evasion, Uncanny Dodge
Feats would be: Dodge, Weapon Finesse, Combat Reflexes, Mobility, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus: Rapier, Weapon Specialization: Rapier
Your role is that of a Rogue. You scout, disable traps, and are a flanker in combat.