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Okay guys, my next project is a TWF kukri using Shadowdancer. My current plans for level spread are Barb 1/Deep Walker Guide 4/Shadowdancer 10 for a dungeon crawl group I am in. Its a 20 point buy.
Human CN
Str 16 (+2 for Human)
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 14
Cha 10
1. Barb1-Dodge, Power Attack
2. Ranger1-
3. Ranger 2-TWF (Combat Feat), Combat Reflexes
4. Ranger 3
5. Ranger 4-Mobility
6. Shadowdancer 1
7. Shadowdancer 2
8. Shadowdancer 3
9. Shadowdancer 4-Improved Critical (Kukri)
Thats a brief overview so far, still havent explored traits or further feats for him yet so I am always open for suggestions.
While I love the shadowdancer class, I still must ask: what do you want from this class? This could all be for roleplaying, so I would have nothing to say against it. But since you only gave us mechanical details, I will focus on mechanics. The PrC is fairly front loaded, so this has to go beyond mere stealth and a flank buddy when you say shadow dancer 10.
Are you focused on getting shadow conjuration and evocation? Great spells, and they have a huge amount of diversity (as seen in the guides in the guide section), but you could get similar effects, with greater range of effects if not power, taking a spell caster class for a bit of a dip.
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Well I took it to 10 just for simplicitys sake because he is not completely thought out yet. Alot of it is RP flavor with his shadow being a manifestation of someone from his past that has formed. Riddick plays a small part in this build as well because who doesn't love a guy that can see in the dark using dagger like weapons.
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I really wouldn't take more than 3 or 4 (maybe 5) levels of the class, if I were you - past 5th level you really aren't getting much. Also, note that the class's abilities are based off of charisma, so I'd want a little more in your build. The shadow's abilities aren't linked to your levels in shadowdancer, so feel free to RP it getting stronger without having to actually take more levels.
I would reconsider moving the 14 to Cha, and going with a 13 con, 12 wis with your 4th lvl bump to con... Or switch the 13 to wis if its more important. You look a little MAD needing con for raging, Cha for SD powers, str/ dex for fighting and wis for... Saves?
Upon further inspection, I would skip TWF as well. If you aren't taking enough ranger lvls to capitalize on it, not to mention all the TWF ancillary feats that require a high dex as well. Go for a 2H reach weapon to play up to your mobility, and rely on rage to bump your Str. Try this:
Str: 13
Dex: 16 (+2 from human)
Con: 14 (+1 from lvl 4)
Int: 11
Wis: 14 (+1 from lvl 8)
Cha: 14
Put your 12th lvl point in str, and get the rest from raging. Take your combat style in 2H fighting to get furious focus.
Does that work for you?
No, it's not a bad build at all, I was just offering an alternative perspective. I do think that TWF works against you, especially when you start shadow jumping. You have a great concept, I just want to make sure you get your money's worth out of the SD lvls.
Greetings, fellow travellers.
I've often thought about the SD PrC as well and always ended up taking 6 levels of a full BAB class before going SD - why?
At 6th level you gain a 2nd attack, your saves improve, you get a little special something (ranger springs to mind with a free combat style feat, barb gets another rage power, fighter another bonus feat, pally gets 2nd mercy).
But I can certainly see the benefit from the barb's rage for a front liner.
Otherwise, I'd echo the advice already given:
Oh, and I'd consider taking the Minor and Major Magic as your Rogue talents for a little extra fun.
Ruyan.
Im going to chime in with "Lemeres" and "Raynard the Fox" and ask why go so deep into SD? I dont see the point in going pass level 4. At this point, you would lose a BAB to go deeper and nothing is that attractive. The big thing for this Prestige Class is Hide in Plain Sight, but at level 4 you get the Shadow jump ability. I would advise only a 1 to 4 level dip in the Prestige Class and then go back to Deepwalker. You can Role Play any other effects you want from the class
Well, a strength draining companion that has fairly good advancement, not dependent on level in the class, which can pass through walls and has great stealth is nothing to laugh at. It is why people tend to do a 3 level dip into the class. There are a few problems, like healing it and its weakness to force damage (not to mention the off putting risk of a negative level), but it makes a valuable asset none the less.
Still, with the front loading, there tends to be rather specific reasons to advance further relating to either to shadow jumping or the versatility of shadow conjuration and evocation. That tends to work out better for rogues, and especially ninja alternate class, since they can devote more to CHA. Especially since they typically do not get much magic on their own without multiclassing. Shadow jumping is nice though, since you never have to worry about being swallowed (what? is it going to be bright down that T-rex's thoat?)
Twohanded weapons might be a nice choice, since they tend not to be too feat intensive and TWF typically relies on static bonuses to damage to pull ahead. Since you are leaving ranger, which gains bonuses from favored enemies, you will have less of a range of favored enemies and be less likely to benefit from it too much. That depends on the GM though. If you face only a small variety of enemies (humans, demons, magical beasts) then you might be fine with the favored enemy bit. Also, you can more easily charge and do decent damage from your hidden position with hide in plain sight.