Shadowdancer Rogue (and Ranger) Talents

[TheDisgaean]

With the rise of archetypes and Rogue Genius' brilliant "Talented Class" line, Prestige Classes are becoming more and more redundant. One of the most redundant to the PrCs is the "Shadowdancer". Most of the abilities it grants can be acquired from base classes, and only rogues, and to a lesser extent rangers and inquisitors can truly benefit from it. With this in mind, I've decided to break down the few unique abilities the shadowdancer has, and convert them into rogue (and possibly ranger) talents.

Feedback is much appreciated.

Shadow Illusion (Sp)
The rogue has ties to the shadows that allow him to create visual illusions. This ability functions as silent image, using the rogue's level as the caster level. A rogue can use this ability once per day for every four class levels she has. The DC for this ability is Charisma-based.

Summon Shadow (Su) (Edge)
The rogue's link to the shadows allows her to summon a shadow, an undead shade. Unlike a normal shadow, this shadow's alignment matches that of the rogue, and the creature cannot create spawn. The summoned shadow receives a +4 bonus on Will saves made to halve the damage from positive channeled energy and the shadow cannot be turned or commanded. This shadow serves as a companion to the rogue and can communicate intelligibly with her. This shadow has a number of hit points equal to half the rogue's total. The shadow uses the rogue's base attack bonus and base save bonuses.

If a shadow companion is destroyed, or the rogue chooses to dismiss it, the rogue must attempt a DC 15 Fortitude save. If the saving throw fails, the rogue gains one permanent negative level. A successful saving throw avoids this negative level. A destroyed or dismissed shadow companion cannot be replaced for 30 days.

Rogues with this edge may not select the Familiar talent, and vice-versa.

*By the same token, talented rangers may not have this edge and Hunter's Bond.

Shadow Call (Advanced Talent)
The rogue can create creatures and effects out of raw shadow. This ability functions as shadow conjuration, using half the rogue's level as the caster level. A rogue can use this ability once per day for every five class levels she has. The DC for this ability is Charisma-based. The rogue must have Shadow Illusion to select this talent.

Improved Shadow Call (Advanced Talent)
The rogue's Shadow Call ability functions as greater shadow conjuration. The rogue must be at least lv. 15 and have Shadow Call to select this talent.

Shadow Jump (Advanced Talent)
The rogue gains the ability to travel between shadows as if by means of a dimension door spell. The limitation is that the magical transport must begin and end in an area with at least some dim light. A rogue can jump up to a total of 40 feet each day in this way; this may be a single jump of 40 feet or four jumps of 10 feet each. At lv. 12, this range doubles to 80 ft. This amount can be split among many jumps, but each one, no matter how small, counts as a 10-foot increment.

This talent can be taken again at lv. 15, doubling the distance the rogue can jump to 160 ft., and again at lv. 18, giving them a maximum of 320 ft.

Shadow Power (Advanced Talent)
The rogue can use raw shadow to damage her foes. This ability functions as shadow evocation, using half the rogue's level as the caster level. A rogue can use this ability once per day for every ten levels she has. The DC for this ability is Charisma-based. The rogue must have Shadow Call to select this talent.

Shadow Master (Advanced Talent)
The rogue's connection to the shadows is so great, they provide her with protection. Whenever a rogue is in an area of dim light, she gains DR 10/— and a +2 luck bonus on all saving throws. In addition, whenever she successfully scores a critical hit against a foe who is in an area of dim light, that foe is blinded for 1d6 rounds. The rogue be at least lv. 18 to select this talent.

[Melgwyn]

I think these are great--I also think a lot of the prestige classes need to be upgraded or modified to have truly unique and interesting, but not overpowering, abilities that one can't get from the class alone.

[TheDisgaean]

Melgwyn wrote:

I think these are great--I also think a lot of the prestige classes need to be upgraded or modified to have truly unique and interesting, but not overpowering, abilities that one can't get from the class alone.

Agreed. While I understand that they were intended to as a means of multi-classing, I think it's safe to say that they've outlived their usefulness. Just look at the other core PrCs:

*Arcane Archer, Trickster, & Pathfinder Chronicler are still fairly unique, so I think we don't have to worry too much about them unless someone writes up some hybrid classes using the Advanced Class Guide guidelines.

*Owen and company went Borg on the Assassin. It's part of the rogue now.

*Dragon Disciple is Dragon Bloodline with new toys...nuff said.

*Duelist is pretty weak and could easily be broken into Fighter talents. The same could also apply to the Loremaster.

*Kobold Press converted the Mystic Theurge into a base class in their "New Paths Compendium", and there are so many better "spellsword" classes out there, I'm not even dignifying the Eldritch Knight with a response.

[Marc Radle]

Thanks for the shout out for the Theurge base class in the New Paths Compendium TheDisgaean! If you check out the reviews so far, the Theurge has proven to be very popular!

FYI, the New Paths Compendium also contains the Elven Archer, which is very much an Arcane Archer type of base class. What's more, the Elven Archer section of the book also contains a few varient classes for other races, including the Halfling Sling Master, Dwarven Crossbowyer and Mystic Archer.

And, while we're at it, speaking of good spellsword classes ... The New Paths Compendium also has the popular Battle Scion class :)

[Ambrosia Slaad]

+1 the vote on making these into Talented options.

Along with talent-ifying the shadowdancer abilities, what would you think of a conversion of the shadow assassin class and extra feats as well? All off it could compiled into a "Genius Guide to Shadow Talents" that could be built onto both the ninja/rogue and ranger frames, as a shadow assassin or "shadow knight" respectively. (I started tinkering with this idea myself a few weeks ago, but won't get too much done until after I finish my Wayfinder #11 submissions.)

TheDisgaean wrote:

...I think it's safe to say that they've outlived their usefulness. Just look at the other core PrCs:

*Arcane Archer, Trickster, & Pathfinder Chronicler are still fairly unique, so I think we don't have to worry too much about them unless someone writes up some hybrid classes using the Advanced Class Guide guidelines.

I took a stab (sorry) at an arcane trickster-ish magus archetype in Wayfinder #10: the spiderhawk.

[TheDisgaean]

Ambrosia Slaad wrote:

+1 the vote on making these into Talented options.

Along with talent-ifying the shadowdancer abilities, what would you think of a conversion of the shadow assassin class and extra feats as well? All off it could compiled into a "Genius Guide to Shadow Talents" that could be built onto both the ninja/rogue and ranger frames, as a shadow assassin or "shadow knight" respectively. (I started tinkering with this idea myself a few weeks ago, but won't get too much done until after I finish my Wayfinder #11 submissions.)

TheDisgaean wrote:

...I think it's safe to say that they've outlived their usefulness. Just look at the other core PrCs:

*Arcane Archer, Trickster, & Pathfinder Chronicler are still fairly unique, so I think we don't have to worry too much about them unless someone writes up some hybrid classes using the Advanced Class Guide guidelines.

I took a stab (sorry) at an arcane trickster-ish magus archetype in Wayfinder #10: the spiderhawk.

It's possible. The Shadow Assassin had such a narrow focus it might as well have been an archetype. Still, that would be a lot more "expert" talents.

[TheDisgaean]

Marc Radle wrote:

Thanks for the shout out for the Theurge base class in the New Paths Compendium TheDisgaean! If you check out the reviews so far, the Theurge has proven to be very popular!

FYI, the New Paths Compendium also contains the Elven Archer, which is very much an Arcane Archer type of base class. What's more, the Elven Archer section of the book also contains a few varient classes for other races, including the Halfling Sling Master, Dwarven Crossbowyer and Mystic Archer.

And, while we're at it, speaking of good spellsword classes ... The New Paths Compendium also has the popular Battle Scion class :)

Bought it a while back, love it, just reviewed it.