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I have a player who wants to play a spirit shaman from 3.5 in pathfinder. This is a question for those of you that are familiar with it. He wants to play a character that goes after spirits, putting ghosts to rest, that sort of thing. He hasnt found a class that really fits his idea of what he wants to do which is a sort of tribal type. I've played a lot of 3.5, but never used spirit shaman. I was considering upping the number of spells known and cast per day to the other spontaneous casters to make them on par with sorc and oracle. He says he does not want to just play a cleric or oracle, not tribal enough. Does anyone have any idea how balanced a spirit shaman is for pathfinder? Should I not allow it?
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They want a caster/fighter shoanti from the skull clan, that hunts and puts to rest restless spirits and other undead, but focusing on spirits. kind of a nature-oriented type fighter/caster that focuses on spirits and ghosts.
also, in spirit ranger, do you get to use their spontaneous spell thing only in your favored terrain? or at any time?
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Oh I know I can. The spellcasting mechanic for the spirit shaman has always been interesting. I know you're against bringing 3.5 stuff over BBT (from what i'v seen on the boards). I just dont see this as fitting what he wants. He wants a more casty style of character. I'll talk to him about it. I'm not sure what to suggest.
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I would look through established caster archetypes first.
Druid and Oracle could hold something for you.
I am not against using 3.5, I just know that using what is established is easier.
If you do convert, use what is established as base, and work from there.
That is what I do. It makes things a lot easier, especially when finding out how it interacts with other Pathfinder stuff.
... He says he does not want to just play a cleric or oracle, not tribal enough ...
There is little in any class (other than wizard or barbarian) that defines anything as tribal or civilized. That is more a matter of what gear you start with, what skills you choose, and how you play it.
Many of the oracle mysteries would be extremely appropriate, savage skald, add a level of barbarian, sorcs, can easily be played as a shaman, witch can be done pretty easily, etc...
I'm not totally against the spirit shaman. But saying that PF is not tribal enough makes no sense. After all, GM's make NPC tribes with the PF races and classes all the time. Are there specific abilities that can not be gotten in other ways? Abilities that make sense with the PF rule set yet are not overpowered?
I personally, would be more likely to make a new oracle mystery or witch archtype than bring in a 3.x class.
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Perhaps you might find New Paths #2: The Expanded Shaman just what the doctor ... er, shaman ordered? :)
The Spontaneous Druid
It's odd that the mystic druid must prepare spells ahead of time—so now he doesn't! The shaman is a nature and spirit-focussed spontaneous caster, with otherworldly new abilities and an animal spirit guide.
Welcome to The Expanded Shaman, a base class for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game that was first presented in Kobold Quarterly #21.
The removal of prepared spells makes this a more mystical and freeform nature-based caster, and the new powers and expanded wildshape and totem abilities mean that the Shaman is both flexible and powerful. Marvel at the new spirit dance, improved wildshape powers, and totem secrets, which grant additional powers beyond the ken of mere druids.
The Expanded Shaman includes much new material beyond the original magazine version, such as three new archetypes for the elemental shaman, primal shifter, and witch doctor, plus new feats and spells specific to the Shaman that make them masters of the spirit world and an expanded list of animal spirit guides. The Expanded Shaman includes a full 20-level character progression plus tracking sheets for animal spirit companion and wildshape forms.
Be a spontaneous Shaman! Get The Expanded Shaman today!
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OH i know that. I dont want you to think i'm judging things by their cover. I suggested he try a shoanti bard that specs in dealing with spirits and calling them to his aid. He doesnt like bard. I'm just relaying what he's telling me. I think what he's saying is that he wants a caster type that focuses on dealing with spirits, and is full caster. I agree. I've been looking through the archetypes, I just dont see anything that hits exactly what he wants. I'll use spirit shaman as a last resort, and keeps searching. I think the issue is that i dont see any good oracle mysteries for it. I'll take another look at druid, but i've got him talking and thinking about things differently, so i think we'll work it out. thanks a lot guys. The discussions has my player looking at it differently.
ON that note, the Menhir Savant seems appropriate as well. Spirit detecting stuff, and a bigger connection to the land.
The life oracle hammers all undead pretty hard. So that definitely allows getting the beat on spirits.
Only issue is there still some question if channel positive energy and using cure X to damage undead are only 1/2 damge vs incorporeal.
Most groups use the channel is full damage.
Some groups use cure X is also full damage.
The Spirit Shaman was one of my favorite classes in 3.5. If he goes this route, be sure to pay attention to the tidbit in Complete Divine, page 17, where it talks about what spirits are.
This is a handy little rule--it lets you use existing creatures as spirits, without having to invent an entirely new set. In effect, we can say that "spirit" is a means of perception by specific cultures, and that their belief in that "these are spirits" is what allows them to affect them.
Undead become bodies ridden by "restless spirits of the dead" for example...
In short, it represents a different worldview...which the spirit shaman is all about.