Hello!
One of my groups is still playing 1e but I'd considered pitching 2e because of how easy it is to GM. We're playing a Gestalt game but thankfully my allies are Witch/Oracle and Inventor/Gunslinger so they're covered quite well!
But I'm playing a Cleric / Slayer (Ankou's Shadow), which is where it gets kind of tricky. I understand that Ankou's Shadow is a pretty niche class so we likely won't see an archetype soon or ever, but the shadow abilities have become core to my PC's backstory and gameplay.
So how do I make that in 2e?
I'm assuming Summoner is my best bet? It seems like mechanically it meshes nicely, but sadly you're stuck with basically 1 shadow you can control very well, versus many shadows that scale in control.
Hopefully there's some archetype or option I missed, or something else I can reskin, but any help at all would be appreciated!
It cannot replicate the mechanics (and will never be possible once there are different games with different balances and concetps) but you can reach the similar fantasy with a Ranger + Shadowdancer Archetype or Taumaturge + Shadowdancer Archetype.
A couple things I would note:
One, don't get confused by the name. Slayer from PF1 was renamed and became the Ranger in PF2. The PF1 Ranger doesn't fully exist in PF2 though it can be built fairly easily by a Ranger with Druid archetype.
Two, I would actually recommend the Shadowcaster archetype instead of Shadowdancer - though Shadowdancer wouldn't be a bad choice either. I would especially point to the Replicate spell being a successor to the Shadow Double ability from Ankou's Shadow.
It cannot replicate the mechanics (and will never be possible once there are different games with different balances and concetps) but you can reach the similar fantasy with a Ranger + Shadowdancer Archetype or Taumaturge + Shadowdancer Archetype.
I do agree that it wouldn't work on a 1:1 level, but Ankou's Shadow is already so clunky in 1e that a total re-envisioning might make it quite elegant with 2e's 3 action system. I can imagine balancing the shadow projection mechanics might be difficult though.
I'll check out the classes. Haven't read much on Thaum but I admit the combo sounds rather interesting.
A couple things I would note:
One, don't get confused by the name. Slayer from PF1 was renamed and became the Ranger in PF2. The PF1 Ranger doesn't fully exist in PF2 though it can be built fairly easily by a Ranger with Druid archetype.
Two, I would actually recommend the Shadowcaster archetype instead of Shadowdancer - though Shadowdancer wouldn't be a bad choice either. I would especially point to the Replicate spell being a successor to the Shadow Double ability from Ankou's Shadow.
Oh wow thank you for this! This even fits perfectly for flavor with the bit about sacrificing the spirit. Also yeah I only went Slayer bc I didn't want to manage two casting classes, PF2e Ranger itself is perfect.
Replicate is also rad, shame there's no way to make it attack. But I can see how that'd get out of hand quickly
Also Shadow Army is a rad spell to get in addition to the Replicate, even if its 10.
Replicate is also rad, shame there's no way to make it attack. But I can see how that'd get out of hand quickly
Shadow Illusion can get you the focus spell Shadow Illusion - which lets you create a shadow creature that can attack.
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Replicate is also rad, shame there's no way to make it attack. But I can see how that'd get out of hand quicklyShadow Illusion can get you the focus spell Shadow Illusion - which lets you create a shadow creature that can attack.
Well then its here, its all here. I'm shocked but its totally doable.
Bless 2e
Replicate is also rad, shame there's no way to make it attack. But I can see how that'd get out of hand quicklyShadow Illusion can get you the focus spell Shadow Illusion - which lets you create a shadow creature that can attack.
I had recommended Shadowndancer instead just because the Shadow Illusion focus spell is avaliable for both archetypes and some shadowcaster feats and spells will be penalized or inaccessible if you aren't a arcane/occult spellcaster.
some shadowcaster feats and spells will be penalized or inaccessible if you aren't a arcane/occult spellcaster.
Which ones?
An Oracle - so Divine tradition - is certainly going to want to take Shadow Spells in order to get a bunch of shadow spells into their Oracle repertoire. But even just the dedication gives Cloak of Shadow, which will trigger most of the feats and other abilities.