Shadow Projection spell in play- PFS Implications


Pathfinder Society

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

This has been discussed in this thread but I'm not really satisfied with the answer I gave in it.

If a caster with this spell invests in appropriate metamagic feats and keeps his familliar with a cure wand by his body, does he essentially become unkillable with this spell while it lasts? Or more importantly can he remain an effective caster in this state?

4/5

LazarX wrote:

This has been discussed in this thread but I'm not really satisfied with the answer I gave in it.

If a caster with this spell invests in appropriate metamagic feats and keeps his familliar with a cure wand by his body, does he essentially become unkillable with this spell while it lasts? Or more importantly can he remain an effective caster in this state?

The real danger is if the caster simply casts the spell on the familiar in the first place, thus losing no spellcasting ability. A good number of encounters have no recourse against an incorporeal creature (particularly one that attacks via ability damage), thus trivializing them. Considering how hard it is to obtain an incorporeal nature by other spells, shadow projection is way lower level and longer duration. I've basically only heard of the spell being used to trivialize encounters and sometimes to sideline all other characters. It sometimes comes up in the context of a thread about how hard a particular scenario was. Someone will come on and point out that "It wasn't a hard scenario--my shadow projected familiar killed everything and nothing could hit it."


My question is do the creatures killed by the shadows str drain raise as shadows under your (or your familairs) control, and what happens when the duration runs out? do you then have to fight a bunch of shadows?

Grand Lodge 4/5

James T Boyd wrote:
My question is do the creatures killed by the shadows str drain raise as shadows under your (or your familairs) control, and what happens when the duration runs out? do you then have to fight a bunch of shadows?

It says in the spell description that the ability to generate more shadows from killing creatures by the Str. drain does not do so when using the spell.

Nathan Meyers
PFS NYC GM/Player


Natertot wrote:
James T Boyd wrote:
My question is do the creatures killed by the shadows str drain raise as shadows under your (or your familairs) control, and what happens when the duration runs out? do you then have to fight a bunch of shadows?

It says in the spell description that the ability to generate more shadows from killing creatures by the Str. drain does not do so when using the spell.

Nathan Meyers
PFS NYC GM/Player

good to know, also a good lession is reading things before asking questions :p

Liberty's Edge 5/5

After using Shadow Projection to avoid every encounter and threat in a scenario, I have vowed never to use it again*.

As nice as it is to watch the GM roll 80-odd damage before asking him if the weapon was magical, and ignoring it all...

Silver Crusade 5/5

Spells like this is why I'd advocate for a no evil spells period rule if it ever came under discussion in an official capacity. I personally do not feel evil builds, concepts, spells, and so on add anything to the game except inter party conflict. As in every Evil majigger breaks the "don't be a jerk" rule. Save the evil crap for your home games where I don't have to mediate what is or is not being a jerk maneuver.

Note: This is just my personal feeling. I don't care if you feel I'm wrong. It's how I feel.

Note #2: No these comments do not mean that this kind of stuff is or is not under any special kind of scrutiny by campaign leadership or the VO's. I'm just speaking my mind.

Dark Archive 4/5

I am unsure how a level 7 PC is not fighting creatures capable of dealing with a single incorporeal creature with lowish hp (half of a decent con scored wizard/sorcerers hitpoints), remember that shadowdancers get a shadow companion at level 9 (level 5 + 4 class levels) with better bab and better hp.

Regardless there are risks as your body is defenceless during the time you are a shadow and not all scenarios are your standard dungeon bash you can frequently get outflanked by the opponent (so many casters with dimension step now in scenarios), you dont have any special protections your body would normally have (such as DR, protective magics you precast BEFORE the shadow projection as they stay on your body)

Dark Archive 4/5

Caderyn wrote:

I am unsure how a level 7 PC is not fighting creatures capable of dealing with a single incorporeal creature with lowish hp (half of a decent con scored wizard/sorcerers hitpoints), remember that shadowdancers get a shadow companion at level 9 (level 5 + 4 class levels) with better bab and better hp.

Regardless there are risks as your body is defenceless during the time you are a shadow and not all scenarios are your standard dungeon bash you can frequently get outflanked by the opponent (so many casters with dimension step now in scenarios), you dont have any special protections your body would normally have (such as DR, protective magics you precast BEFORE the shadow projection as they stay on your body)

Scenarios are equally poorly equipped to deal with a shadowdancer's companion. It's a shame, because I'd seriously consider the prestige class if the companion wasn't so broken for PFS.

It's a shame. I mean, I'm getting a suli from Gen Con. Paladin/shadowdancer? Would be sooooooooooo cool.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Daniel Luckett wrote:

Spells like this is why I'd advocate for a no evil spells period rule if it ever came under discussion in an official capacity. I personally do not feel evil builds, concepts, spells, and so on add anything to the game except inter party conflict. As in every Evil majigger breaks the "don't be a jerk" rule. Save the evil crap for your home games where I don't have to mediate what is or is not being a jerk maneuver.

Note: This is just my personal feeling. I don't care if you feel I'm wrong. It's how I feel.

Note #2: No these comments do not mean that this kind of stuff is or is not under any special kind of scrutiny by campaign leadership or the VO's. I'm just speaking my mind.

Daniel, baby with the bathwater?

At this point, you feel that removing the more general Infernal Healing spell would be beneficial for the campaign? Most Arcane casters cannot cast or use Cure Light Wounds without UMD...

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