A melee Shadowcaster build (FUN) [Archive] - Wizards Community

A melee Shadowcaster build (FUN) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
LordArchaon
01-18-07, 10:25 PM I discovered a build that lets you combine (untill not very well, before epic level) the Umbral Touch mystery with the Unseen Weapon feature from the Shadowblade PrC. It's a dream come true to me! :D

Let's start...

Magic of Eberron: Renegade Mastermaker.
One of those few PrCs that add "+1 level to your existing spellcasting class", so that it can get along well with classes as Warlock or Shadowcaster. In this case, Shadowcaster is even better, since its spell-like abilities do not requiere somatic components and this allows you to make crazy things such as getting "Adamantine Body" at 10th level...

However, what's the point? That with this class you get a natural/manufactured hybrid weapon, the Battlefist. By RAW, you can deliver touch spells with a natural weapon if you forego the touch attack and opt for a normal melee attack instead. This lets you deliver the Umbral Touch mystery with the Battlefist! And the Battlefist can be enhanced magically as any other magic weapon!

Ok. So, to enter the PrC you need a caster level of 5, since you must have the "Craft Weapons and Armor" feat. The best way I thought out was to get 2 levels of Shadowcaster, the Practiced Spellcaster feat, and then take 4 levels (you need 6th level to get that damned crafting feat) in any class that has full BAB (you will need BAB because you aren't going to make touch attacks anymore, you're a rough type that goes into melee). I leave these 4 melee levels to your imagination. Any combination possible. "I don't know why", but I would opt for Warblade. Or Crusader maybe.

Then, after getting 5 levels of Renegade Mastermaker, you will be a Shadowcaster of 7th level for the purpose of spellcasting and such. This allows to cast Apprentice mysteries as spell-like abilities. Just make sure you re-learn one or two times Umbral Touch so you don't run out of attacks...:D the Metashadow Feat Extended Mystery is a must, and you already have this from the bonus feat you get at 2nd level of Shadowcaster. The caster level will be high already, 11 actually. So you will get a lot of Umbral Touch attacks. Enough for two or three battles a day, maybe more.

Now, you can focus on the Shadowblade PrC to be able to add "WOW" options to your "Umbral Battlefist" (what if you make it of Shadowstriking metal? :P ).
It's a little pointless, but the funny thing is that your hand will be a shadowy "cybernetic" hand that ends up like a claw or blade made of pure black shadow.
And so, we again reached a new level of "get your freak on" as someone said on these boards... To me... ;)

Good night everyone...

P.S.
A very very very easier way to do all of this is playing a Warforged Shadowcaster/Shadowblade, however, but it's not as cool as this! :D
LordArchaon
01-21-07, 07:19 PM :bump:

(Should I add a "No love for the Shadowcasters" post?)
Xylem
01-21-07, 08:51 PM :bump:

(Should I add a "No love for the Shadowcasters" post?)
Most of the recent threads on the Shadowcaster have been on the theme that the Shadowcaster is underpowered and needs to be made stronger (this opinion seems to be shared by the class' creator (who goes by Mouseferatu on these boards). The most recent one is here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=769878).

As for your build, I am handicapped in commenting on it by not knowing anything about the Renegade Mastermaker class, but it does look amusing. I will note that if you take the Still Mystery feat, none of your mysteries have somatic components, even the ones cast as spells.
LordArchaon
01-21-07, 09:55 PM Most of the recent threads on the Shadowcaster have been on the theme that the Shadowcaster is underpowered and needs to be made stronger (this opinion seems to be shared by the class' creator (who goes by Mouseferatu on these boards). The most recent one is here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=769878).

As for your build, I am handicapped in commenting on it by not knowing anything about the Renegade Mastermaker class, but it does look amusing. I will note that if you take the Still Mystery feat, none of your mysteries have somatic components, even the ones cast as spells.

Yes, I know, that's why I try to take the Shadowcaster class to its limits (somo of its limits)... Just to see if we can end up with something strong at least as other builds. This build in particular is not the case, but the Renegade Mastermaker makes an excellent PrC for Shadowcasters however.

I've read Still Mistery recently and noticed that it automatically removes any somatic component from ALL the mysteries you cast, without per-day usage llimit! I wonder if the creator meant to make it 1/day as the other Metashadow feats or if maybe other Metamagic feats were thought out as limit-less or more "generous"...
LordArchaon
01-21-07, 10:13 PM Update:
I've made a set of new mysteries that would love comments and balancing! here's the link: Shosuro Tejina spells converted into mysteries (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=776675)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
LordArchaon 01-18-07, 10:25 PM	I discovered a build that lets you combine (untill not very well, before epic level) the Umbral Touch mystery with the Unseen Weapon feature from the Shadowblade PrC. It's a dream come true to me! :D Let's start... Magic of Eberron: Renegade Mastermaker. One of those few PrCs that add "+1 level to your existing spellcasting class", so that it can get along well with classes as Warlock or Shadowcaster. In this case, Shadowcaster is even better, since its spell-like abilities do not requiere somatic components and this allows you to make crazy things such as getting "Adamantine Body" at 10th level... However, what's the point? That with this class you get a natural/manufactured hybrid weapon, the Battlefist. By RAW, you can deliver touch spells with a natural weapon if you forego the touch attack and opt for a normal melee attack instead. This lets you deliver the Umbral Touch mystery with the Battlefist! And the Battlefist can be enhanced magically as any other magic weapon! Ok. So, to enter the PrC you need a caster level of 5, since you must have the "Craft Weapons and Armor" feat. The best way I thought out was to get 2 levels of Shadowcaster, the Practiced Spellcaster feat, and then take 4 levels (you need 6th level to get that damned crafting feat) in any class that has full BAB (you will need BAB because you aren't going to make touch attacks anymore, you're a rough type that goes into melee). I leave these 4 melee levels to your imagination. Any combination possible. "I don't know why", but I would opt for Warblade. Or Crusader maybe. Then, after getting 5 levels of Renegade Mastermaker, you will be a Shadowcaster of 7th level for the purpose of spellcasting and such. This allows to cast Apprentice mysteries as spell-like abilities. Just make sure you re-learn one or two times Umbral Touch so you don't run out of attacks...:D the Metashadow Feat Extended Mystery is a must, and you already have this from the bonus feat you get at 2nd level of Shadowcaster. The caster level will be high already, 11 actually. So you will get a lot of Umbral Touch attacks. Enough for two or three battles a day, maybe more. Now, you can focus on the Shadowblade PrC to be able to add "WOW" options to your "Umbral Battlefist" (what if you make it of Shadowstriking metal? :P ). It's a little pointless, but the funny thing is that your hand will be a shadowy "cybernetic" hand that ends up like a claw or blade made of pure black shadow. And so, we again reached a new level of "get your freak on" as someone said on these boards... To me... ;) Good night everyone... P.S. A very very very easier way to do all of this is playing a Warforged Shadowcaster/Shadowblade, however, but it's not as cool as this! :D
LordArchaon 01-21-07, 07:19 PM	:bump: (Should I add a "No love for the Shadowcasters" post?)
Xylem 01-21-07, 08:51 PM	:bump: (Should I add a "No love for the Shadowcasters" post?) Most of the recent threads on the Shadowcaster have been on the theme that the Shadowcaster is underpowered and needs to be made stronger (this opinion seems to be shared by the class' creator (who goes by Mouseferatu on these boards). The most recent one is here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=769878). As for your build, I am handicapped in commenting on it by not knowing anything about the Renegade Mastermaker class, but it does look amusing. I will note that if you take the Still Mystery feat, none of your mysteries have somatic components, even the ones cast as spells.
LordArchaon 01-21-07, 09:55 PM	Most of the recent threads on the Shadowcaster have been on the theme that the Shadowcaster is underpowered and needs to be made stronger (this opinion seems to be shared by the class' creator (who goes by Mouseferatu on these boards). The most recent one is here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=769878). As for your build, I am handicapped in commenting on it by not knowing anything about the Renegade Mastermaker class, but it does look amusing. I will note that if you take the Still Mystery feat, none of your mysteries have somatic components, even the ones cast as spells. Yes, I know, that's why I try to take the Shadowcaster class to its limits (somo of its limits)... Just to see if we can end up with something strong at least as other builds. This build in particular is not the case, but the Renegade Mastermaker makes an excellent PrC for Shadowcasters however. I've read Still Mistery recently and noticed that it automatically removes any somatic component from ALL the mysteries you cast, without per-day usage llimit! I wonder if the creator meant to make it 1/day as the other Metashadow feats or if maybe other Metamagic feats were thought out as limit-less or more "generous"...
LordArchaon 01-21-07, 10:13 PM	Update: I've made a set of new mysteries that would love comments and balancing! here's the link: Shosuro Tejina spells converted into mysteries (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=776675)