Mesmerist Engima and Umbral Archetypes


Rules Questions

Scarab Sages

I am currently building a level 10 mesmerist and I was considering taking both the Enigma Archetype as well as the Umbral Mesmerist archetype. I had a question regarding the relationship of two abilities:

Solipsism (Su):

At 1st level, whenever the enigma uses hypnotic stare on a creature, instead of applying a penalty on the creature’s saving throws, the enigma begins to fade from the creature’s view. Until the enigma’s next turn, the enigma gains the effects of concealment against that creature (unless it can see invisible creatures). Starting on the enigma’s next turn, he gains the effect of invisibility against that creature. These effects last as long as the enigma continues to use his hypnotic stare, but if he takes an action that would end invisibility, it ends his hypnotic stare immediately. The enigma can reinstate this effect whenever he wishes, but each time it begins with 1 round of concealment. At 8th level, attacks that would end invisibility do not end the enigma’s hypnotic stare, and after 1 round of concealment, he gains the benefits of greater invisibility against the target of his stare.

Ephemeral Stare(Su):

At 5th level, the umbral mesmerist is treated as if he were invisible by the target of his hypnotic stare (as per the invisibility spell), provided neither he nor any creatures conjured by shadow summoning take hostile actions against the target. Once the umbral mesmerist or any creature conjured by his shadow summoning ability takes a hostile action against the target, the mesmerist becomes visible to the target and the target cannot be affected again by that umbral mesmerist’s ephemeral stare ability for 24 hours (although it can be affected by other effects of his hypnotic stare).

This ability replaces mental potency.

I was curious how these two ablities would interact with one another. As far as I can tell, there is no conflict between the archetypes and so they can both be taken.


I see no unexpected interactions. Enigmatic stare pairs nicely with ephemeral stare for staying unnoticed. This pairing would make a hell of a villain.


You could probably find a hard ass DM out there who ruled that the Ephemeral Stare terminating effect makes you visible to the target regardless of whatever other effects you have that may have made you invisible. It's pretty clear though that the intent is that ephemeral stare ends when you or one of your summoned critters takes an action against the target. This leaves Solipsism as your source of invisibility after the first round.

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