So I've had some vague ideas about making a Barbarian/Shadowdancer. I know Shadowdancer is seen as more of a Rogue PrC and a subpar one even then, but I think there is some real synergy.
Shadow: The summoned shadow gained at third level uses your BAB and half your total HP, so a Barbarian's shadow would have the highest BAB and most health possible.
Come At Me: The strength drain from the shadow synergies with Come And Get Me since you'll be inviting yourself to be hit more but the strength drain will make those hits not matter that much.
But even if this combo isn't particularly strong (losing BAB and rage progression) I still think it a pretty cool image. Any ideas on how I would do it? What feats/powers I should use? Any way to circumvent the steep feat tax to get into SD?
It's a great combination. Look into the Dimensional Agility chain. It's great with the Shadowdancer.
I was looking at the Moonlight Stalker feats; concealment is pretty easy to get (blur does it, even).
I don't think there's a way to avoid the feat tax of Shadowdancer; instead it makes more sense to take advantage of those feats.
You need to spend Combat Reflexes, Dodge, and Mobility. Well there's nothing wrong with Combat Reflexes, especially if you can afford a good Dex. Dodge isn't great, but it's far better than in 3.5, no longer being single-opponent-bound. Mobility... yeah, that one's likely something you'll mostly ignore. So really, taking advantage amounts to going for a decent Dexterity, which you probably wanted anyway.
You could defray the cost somewhat with moves like being human, or taking some levels of fighter for the bonus feats. But that gives up more rage progression.
You've got to have Perform (dance)... so use that as a way to build the character's background and personality. If going with a single one-hander made any sense, I'd say to take Dervish Dance to take advantage of the skill prerequisite synergy. But it doesn't.
I've been thinking of it with Ranger instead, but a lot of things are similar in this setup. And I'm now thinking of a big, hulking guy, surrounded by wispy tendrils of shadow, which is a nice mental image.
I wrote up a guide on this stuff a little while ago, here's the link.
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Nab the Coherent Rage trait to Stealth whilst Raging.
You will be a better Shadowdancer than a Rogue.
Human will get there faster with the extra feat.
Thanks for all the advice guys, that guide is great Joanna.
So with what you've said I'm thinking something like:
Human- for the bonus feat
5 level of Barbarian- minimum level you can get into SD.
3 levels of Shadowdancer- Just for Shadow and HiPS. I don't need a tonne of Charisma since I'm not taking the later abilities.
Then back to barbarian.
Feats- Power Attack, Dodge, Combat Reflexes, Mobility (in that order).
For backstory I'm thinking of something like Nobleman/woman groomed for what he/she views as a dull life of endless balls and court politics (hence dancing ranks). With the prospect of an arranged marriage looming ahead the character begins to sneak away in the night looking for excitement.
Could also start in a farming family with a dull future ahead so I could do Heart of the Fields cheese.
The the character could start playing near a lost temple of ___ which starts giving the character crazy voices in their head and demonic (rage) powers. Eventually after a night out they wake in their home, bathed in blood. Who's blood is it? They run off before they can find out.
Alternatively, the character could get lost in the wilderness or kidnapped by political enemies and escape into a far off forest and have to learn to survive. Having to reach into the darkness of their soul etc.
Either way, character looking to control and understand their power and someday find it within themselves to return home.
I like 4th level shadowdancer since you get shadowjump 40 ft.... It just adds a little extra mobility.
Shadow Call (effectively shadow conjuration) adds some nifty tricks for the creative player.
In my opinion, anywhere from 2-4 levels is good.
After playing a sniping rogue who started taking classes in shadowdancer I realized how potent a barbarian shadowdancer would be. Here is a character I have created up to lvl 7 and waiting to play (starting from lvl 1 if I have to).
"Grem (Reaper)" Hobgoblin Invulnerable Rager Barbarian 5 / Shadowdancer 2
Str 19
Dex 16
Con 16
Int 10
Wis 8
Cha 10
HP 81
Rage HP 95
Skills:
Acrobatics, Climb, Intimidate, Perception, Stealth all of which maxed at lvl 7. Put last two skill points into Perform: (dance) to get Shadowdancer.
Feats:
Dodge
Mobility
Power Attack
Combat Reflexes (could change this for Spring Attack if you so chose)
Traits:
Bully and Dirty Fighter
Rage Powers:
No Escape
Swift Foot (to move at 30 speed while Raging once you stack it a second time)
Armor:
+1 Mithril Chainmail
Weapon:
+2 Mighty Cleaving Scythe (2d4 x4)
+12/+7 2d4+8 (cleave upon confirmed hit)
Power Attack:
+10/+5 2d4+14(cleave upon confirmed hit)
Rage + Power Attack:
+10/+5 2d4+17(cleave upon confirmed hit)
Things I plan on taking when leveling up:
Feats - Improved crit (love the x4 crit multiplier and want to see crits more often), Toughness, and Spring Attack are the clear choices
Rage Powers - Mighty Swing and Guarded Life
I was planning on taking 10 lvls barb and 10 lvls shadowdancer. DR will stack and stealthing into a shadow and using Shadow Jump to appear behind your enemy, then slice him in half with your scythe because you're raging...... that's why I named my character Grem. I cannot wait to play him. Most badass idea I think I've ever had for a character.
Please, if ANYONE uses my build, let me know how dumbfounded your GM looks when you annihilate just about anything you come across, or how easily you escape danger.
I think you guys completely over looked the urban barbarian archetype, btw it also stacks with invulnerable rager.
I'd also recommend that you Pick up Spirit Totem for either an attack against your enemies or a heal of your shadow. Negative energy damage heals them, it would be pretty awesome. Even a 14 Charisma could do be able to keep that shadow alive much longer.
BTW, High five on the necro.
It's a great combination. Look into the Dimensional Agility chain. It's great with the Shadowdancer.
far as i know there was an FAQ on that, and shadowdancer's shadow step doesn't count for dimensional agility (as it is neither dim door or abundant step)
EDIT: ah, it wasnt an faq i remember, i came across this thread that went into it at length.
It's a great combination. Look into the Dimensional Agility chain. It's great with the Shadowdancer.far as i know there was an FAQ on that, and shadowdancer's shadow step doesn't count for dimensional agility (as it is neither dim door or abundant step)
EDIT: ah, it wasnt an faq i remember, i came across this thread that went into it at length.
You could just take the Eldritch heritage feat for the shadow bloodline, Shadow Well the 9th level ability gives you a way to travel identical to dimensional door. But then again the prerequisite still isn't met for dimensional agility because its not actually dimensional door. If you truly want to go that route I would talk to your DM.
honestly shadowdancer wouldn't be crazy overpowered if it qualified for the dimensional line--it'd give more incentive for the huge feat tax (7-8 feats fro the PrC reqs and dimensional line).
honestly shadowdancer wouldn't be crazy overpowered if it qualified for the dimensional line--it'd give more incentive for the huge feat tax (7-8 feats fro the PrC reqs and dimensional line).
Yeah the feat tax is dreadful. I was trying to figure out how to make a Archer Type Paladin/ Shadow Dancer with the Eldritch Heritage for umbral/shadow blood line. But its to hard to manage all those feats imo. Cosmetically though the urban barbarian shadow dancer is pretty appealing but on paper... not soo much.