Synthesist Summoner and Shadow Form

[Pyrowolf]

I'm fairly new to D&D and I'm exploring some options.
My question is how does a Synthesist with Shadow Form /Shadow Blend work both numerically and thematically?

If I went this path, would it just be the ultimate night time stealth character?

Shadow Blend (Su)*

In any condition of illumination other than bright light, the eidolon disappears into the shadows, giving it concealment (20% miss chance). If it has the shadow form evolution, it instead gains total concealment (50% miss chance). The eidolon can suspend or resume this ability as a free action. Source: Advanced Race Guide

Shadow Form (Su)*

The eidolon's body becomes shadowy and more indistinct. This shadow form grants the eidolon constant concealment (20% miss chance), and its melee attacks affect incorporeal creatures as if it had the ghost touch weapon property. The eidolon's melee attacks deal only half damage to corporeal creatures. Source: Advanced Race Guide

[GM Arkwright]

If you're new, it may not be best to play a synthesist; they're very complicated and require knowledge of a number of FAQ rulings.

As for Shadow Form/Blend- the evolutions make no mention of a stealth bonus and to my knowledge concealment does not automatically grant a stealth bonus.

Hmm but- "Against most creatures, finding cover or concealment allows you to use Stealth." So you could use this evolution to make a stealth check in plain sight, perhaps.

[Pyrowolf]

My thought was that Total Concealment means that your opponent has not Line of Sight on you. And if they have no line of Sight on you, they can't see you.

Also was curious how it works thematically, since the skill says "disappears into the shadows"

[GM Arkwright]

Total Concealment just means it's very hard to hit you. You have Total Concealment from a blind person, sure, but I could also cast Displacement on myself and get Total Concealment, but you would still be able to see me- i'd just be very fuzzy.

Thematically I imagine it just means you grow fuzzy and seem shadowy. It definitely doesn't turn you invisible.

[iammercy]

I believe Displacement just gives a miss chance, not concealment of any kind.

Total Concealment is a thing though.
"Total Concealment

If you have line of effect to a target but not line of sight, he is considered to have total concealment from you. You can't attack an opponent that has total concealment, though you can attack into a square that you think he occupies. A successful attack into a square occupied by an enemy with total concealment has a 50% miss chance (instead of the normal 20% miss chance for an opponent with concealment).

You can't execute an attack of opportunity against an opponent with total concealment, even if you know what square or squares the opponent occupies."

Once again we have a lovely example of things in parentheses.

[GM Arkwright]

Huh, my mistake.

Wow... total concealment is nicer than I thought. For starters, free movement around the battlefield.

[Darth Grall]

Concealment is required to stealth Iirc, so it basically lets you stealth any time you want. Course that's my opinion.

[iammercy]

A good trick for the melee Synth is to use evolution points to get Shadow Blend and cast Evolution Surge for Shadow Form when you want it. Constant concealment, total concealment on demand and no permanent negative of dealing 1/2 damage.

Interestingly enough a ranged Synth deals full damage using RAW. "The eidolon's melee attacks deal only half damage to corporeal creatures."

[GM Arkwright]

Heh. Wonderful.

I'm actually thinking of using this for my Master Summoner. For him, I use my eidolon as a wand-slave, and giving him a cloak of semi-invincibility should be great for keeping him up and buffing.

Though I seem to remember that one of the requirements of Shadow Blend is that it be nighttime?

[Pyrowolf]

Looks like the only requirement is in any lighting Except Bright light you get Concealment. But if you have Shadow Form you get (Total Concealment) 50% in non-Bright Light, 20% always.