Unchained Rogue vs. Shadowdancer - which should I choose? (PFS)

[Uncle Ook]

Hi everyone - thought I would pick your collective brains on this.

I've got a PFS level 5.2 Unchained Rogue and an adventure on Tuesday. Should she survive, I have the requirements to pursue Shadowdancer, but I'm starting to question this.

Alainna is a Sarenite, and the Inner Sea Gods seems to indicate that pursuing the path of Shadow runs contrary to the Dawnflower's belief system. I had originally thought she could be recruited to become one of the select few to brave the shadows to defend the light.

Mechanically, things like darkvision (she's human) and shadow jump seem very cool, but losing out on some of the higher rogue abilities have me thinking that it's better to continue up the Rogue path.

[Avoron]

If you meet all of the requirements anyway, I would definitely take three levels of shadowdancer for the shadow companion.

The concept of an unchained rogue/shadowdancer of Sarenrae is actually really cool. You're not a divine spellcaster, so it's fine to have somewhat unorthodox methods of carrying out your faith. And seeing yourself as "one of the select few to brave the shadows to defend the light" would give so many roleplaying opportunities. Darkvision is perfectly flavorful for a Sarenrae worshiper. Plus Sarenrae is all about redemption, and you have the ability to call an actual shadow, normally a chaotic evil undead creature, and convert it into your own alignment.

Finally, this is an excellent opportunity to subvert the whole "light is good, dark is evil" fantasy cliche. Maybe what the faith of Sarenrae really needs is someone to stand up and say "You know all the light and darkness stuff we talk about? You guys do get that that's a metaphor, right? Light sources themselves or their absence don't automatically make things good or evil."

Shadowdancer Alignment wrote:

To them, the darkness is simply the darkness, without any of the usual moral connotations made by the unenlightened.

[Uncle Ook]

Avoron wrote:

If you meet all of the requirements anyway, I would definitely take three levels of shadowdancer for the shadow companion.

The concept of an unchained rogue/shadowdancer of Sarenrae is actually really cool. You're not a divine spellcaster, so it's fine to have somewhat unorthodox methods of carrying out your faith. And seeing yourself as "one of the select few to brave the shadows to defend the light" would give so many roleplaying opportunities. Darkvision is perfectly flavorful for a Sarenrae worshiper. Plus Sarenrae is all about redemption, and you have the ability to call an actual shadow, normally a chaotic evil undead creature, and convert it into your own alignment.

Finally, this is an excellent opportunity to subvert the whole "light is good, dark is evil" fantasy cliche. Maybe what the faith of Sarenrae really needs is someone to stand up and say "You know all the light and darkness stuff we talk about? You guys do get that that's a metaphor, right? Light sources themselves or their absence don't automatically make things good or evil."

Shadowdancer Alignment wrote:

To them, the darkness is simply the darkness, without any of the usual moral connotations made by the unenlightened.

Sounds great... assuming I survive, I'll definitely be taking Shadowdancer. I may go four levels to get Shadow jump, and then jump back for more roguish goodness.

[BigNorseWolf]

Melisandra " shadows only live when given birth by light"

Hide in plain sight , especially the shadowdancer version that covers both concealment and observed, is definitely worth the dip

[Velxir]

If you want to be great at stealth in the light as well as shadows you could also pick up the Hellcat Stealth feat

[William Ronald]

I think that this would be a good choice for a follower of Sarenrae, as there are some creatures who are light based (will'o'wisps to use a very good example) that are anything but good.

If Sarenrae can have slayers, then I don't see a problem with a shadowdancer.

[KoboldKhemist]

Definitely go Shadowdancer. It's a really cool Prestige class and complements rogue. One of the reasons people hate on rogue is how often sneak attack could actually be used. Shadowdancer just eliminates that argument. Now you see me, now you don't, now there's a knife in your back!

[BigNorseWolf]

I really don't see the appeal of the unchained rogue from 6- 10

[Skyler Malik]

In my opinion if you want to go Shadow Dancer, do it. I would jsut advice you do it with a class that doesn't have the cool things that Shadow dancer does. Martial classes like Paladin, Swashbuckler, Fighter benefit much more from Shadow dancer then say a rogue (due to many of the overlapping features).

[Avoron]

I disagree.

More skill points are great for classes with skill unlocks.
Hide in Plain Sight is spectacular for stealth and sneak attacking.
Evasion is redundant, but that's not a big problem.
Darkvision is great for someone who main damage-dealing tactic works excellently in darkness but is shut down by total concealment.
Uncanny dodge stacks to give you improved uncanny dodge.
The rogue talent can be used to get things that unchained rogues don't have access to, like offensive defense.
And the shadow companion is equally awesome for everybody, but works particularly well as a flanking buddy, providing more sneak attack.

Speaking of which, don't forget to grab the feat Accomplished Sneak Attacker once it becomes relevant, at least if you intend to continue using sneak attack as a primary method of dealing damage.