Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Warning_FIREBALL 04-12-07, 04:54 PM	Hi Im playing a levl 7 elf rouge at the moment. She is soon to be a shadow dancer I have all the feats and skills required. Just wondered what feats and skills would be usefull to get when I become a shadow dancer. I like the idea of two wepon fighting but so far am a shoot arrow use dagger if they get to close kida player. :confused: ANY HELP WELCOME
DEMONisbest 04-12-07, 05:05 PM	Just play him as you would play your rogue. Remember that by choosing SD you sacrifice your sneak attack progression. Whether you want to switch to 2WF style (and thus concentrate on 2WF feat tree), or continue to take feats in archery depends solely on your preferences. About skills, max your move silently and hide. For me presonaly, there was never any reason to raise Perform (Dance) over the required minimum for the PrC.
Marcus Majarra 04-12-07, 08:38 PM	The hallmark ability of the shadowdancer, IMHO, is the Hide in Plain Sight ability, which can be used with only the cover of a shadow as necessary. It's quite easy to snipe your opponents in melee or otherwise in order to sneak attack your foes. Dodge and Mobility as requirements already make Spring Attack a natural choice (and a good way to snipe in melee). Extending this feat tree to Whirlwind Attack can be deadly (as you can maneuver into favorable positions without being seen) and becoming proficient with the Spiked Chain will do you wonders. It's all about keeping your opponents from figuring out where you are. I will advise against TWF, since it plays directly against your ability to hide all the time, but if you do venture into this field, make sure your shadow companion is nearby to help your flank.
Warning_FIREBALL 04-13-07, 07:15 AM	thanx you have been very helpful. I will play her (im a girl :P) as a sneaky rouge as normal and like the whole spring attack thing and whirl wind. not sure how a spike chain would be useful though ??? I will most likly not get 2wf but split and get both archery and melee helpful feats. my move silenty and hide are already 10. so might will always inprove them my tumble is quite high to. Is there any feats that are inprove archery and melee. and how bad is the low sneak attack thingy
The_Shaman 04-13-07, 07:53 AM	Well, you won't be doing a lot of damage, that's the main problem. You will probably be a lot harder to kil, on the other hand. Splitting for archery and melee can be a bit hard as your character probably doesn't have that many feats to begin with. Spiked chains are a good all-around weapon (especially with the Oriental Adventures reading that allows them to be used as reach or double weapons), but they cost you a feat to learn, and are most useful to those who can make the best use of their disarm and trip bonuses - warriors. For you, two short swords or cutlasses (detailed in the FR campaign setting - basically think short sword with slashing damage) might be a better idea. You are doing damage with your sneak attack, anyway. Daggers can also be nice, as they are also throwing weapons and your character probably has very good dexterity. I suppose you have point-blank shot? Whirlwind attack... it involves staying in one place for basically the entire round, which is imo a very bad idea - see the point about feats as well. Spring attack, however, sounds quite juicy when you consider that you're able to hide in plain sight. Eventually, the shadow jump ability can be quite good imo. Still, I would prefer it as a stepping stone to another prestige class - the Teflammar Shadowlord from Unapproachable East. IMO it is quite more powerful, and although it is restricted to non-good characters (the Shadowlords are a somewhat notorious thief guild), it is worth considering if you're going in that direction - it has both defensive and offensive powers, and some great spells. Good luck!
crimsonwolf 04-13-07, 10:32 AM	I would honestly suggest you take your level up as dark template instead of shadow dancer :) you get big boosts to hiding a dr5/cold hide in plain site
The_Shaman 04-13-07, 11:07 AM	Well, I'm more of a fan of the shadowwalker but the shadowdancer has a good dose of the "cool factor," and is DMG material.
DEMONisbest 04-13-07, 11:13 AM	Although many of its features are the same as the features a rogue gets. Better suited for ninjas, or bards imo. But I like the shadowdancer and their shadow companion can be very useful for flanking.
The_Shaman 04-13-07, 11:25 AM	Yeah, I wish the shadows wouldn't cost such XP when they die though. It's interesting, but imo a bit on the weak side.
DEMONisbest 04-13-07, 11:28 AM	Yeah, I wish the shadows wouldn't cost such XP when they die though. It's interesting, but imo a bit on the weak side. Good point about the XP penalty.
Warning_FIREBALL 04-17-07, 12:31 PM	thanx for the help but im sticking with being a shadow dancer. as as it took ages for me to convice my dn to let me. (fear the puppy dog eyes of doom). i will your advice to the best i can thank you
The_Shaman 04-17-07, 01:52 PM	Which version are you using, by the way? I think there was a more powerful 3.0 one than that in the DMG, which allowed to eventually get more than one shadow.