I am looking for a build that can undectedly kill off many creatures. For this build I wish to employ the shadow attack ability. Optimally I wish to use this PvM where few monsters have blind fight. For those of you unfamiliar with shadow attack, I will explain:
1. Shadow attack deals 1d6 strength damage subject to a melee touch attack. If the target does not have a higher strength than the damage amount he will suffer magical damage equal to his hit points instead. 2. Shadow attack incurs attacks of opportunity as a spell 3. Shadow attack is non-hostile in that it does not disturb a target or break invisibility of the caster. 4. Shadow attack is used once per round and is generated by a special AI. 5. The only summons with the special AI for shadow attack are from the shadowdancer progression. Of these the shadow fiend is the only one that can reliably use the shadow attack ability time after time. This shadow fiend requires 6-8 levels of shadowdancer, no more no less.
A refresher on melee touch attacks:
1. Melee touch attacks have a roll of d20 + strength modifier + BAB + effects. (Epic prowess also helps, but the shadow fiend does not have it). 2. Melee touch attacks negate the armor, shield, and natural armor bonuses. 3. Dodge, tumble, and dexterity (if unsecured) bonuses can also be negated if the target is caught flatfooted. 4. A hidden creature (the target can't see it) will catch the target flatfooted unless the target has blind fight.
As the shadowdancer only gets one summon per day, the build must revolve around the survival of this summon. There are many spells to help, among them are:
Negative energy burst Stone bones Bless Aid Invisibility Darkness Immobilization spells (hold, evard's, stonehold, etc.) Fire, cold, and electric area of effect spells (shadow fiends are immune to these.)
Feel free to suggest builds. Remember the shadow fiend can't kill everything, though if used correctly it is an extremely powerful weapon for a summon.
What a request!!
Can you guess what im thinking????
Take shadowdaner 8/rogue 6/cleric or druid 26. For me the caster is essential to BUFF the minion. Im not sure which is more beneficial for this one. If you take cleric, id look for stoneskin as a domain spell for sure. Improve invis aswell would be very strong.
The one concern i would have with this is, a lv 8 minion isnt terribly reliable in upper lvls where you will get hit hard. You would probably need maximun or empowered endurance to assist.
just my 2 cents _________________
Quote: -- Posted by Kail Pendragon
Being hyperbolic is an integral part of Avado's being
Quote: Posted 09/05/09 23:04 (GMT) -- avado
What a request!!
Can you guess what im thinking????
Take shadowdaner 8/rogue 6/cleric or druid 26. For me the caster is essential to BUFF the minion. Im not sure which is more beneficial for this one. If you take cleric, id look for stoneskin as a domain spell for sure. Improve invis aswell would be very strong.
The one concern i would have with this is, a lv 8 minion isnt terribly reliable in upper lvls where you will get hit hard. You would probably need maximun or empowered endurance to assist.
just my 2 cents
As for stoneskin and improved invisibility, the shadow fiend of the shadowdancer already has many properties of protection including:
Incorporeal (undispellable 50% concealment + ability to move through creatures) 100% immunity to fire, cold, and electric Damage Reduction 30/+2 Immunity: Mind spells, Knockdown, Critical Hit, Sneak Attack, Poison, Paralysis, Disease, Death Magic, Negative Level/Ability Turn resistance +10
Quote: This shadow fiend requires 6-8 levels of shadowdancer, no more no less.
I don't see the catch, you know your limitations pretty well IMO. A buffer sounds like a pretty good choice, you want your minion to have more AC, to heal him, raise AB, damage, whatever. Personally I'd make a Druid 29 / Monk 1 / Shadowdancer 10, perhaps DEX based with Epic Dodge, or the usual WIS based should work too, SD 10 gives Improved Evasion anyway, so I'd say 10 SD levels should be better than 8. However, that's just because I like Druids. As a Druid you can buff a bit of AC and some STR... the Animal Companion might help you divert damage and you've got some power as a caster and meleer. Stonehold comes to mind, I like that spell. _________________ "My name is Thaxll'ssyllia, but you simians may refer to me merely as "Sir", if you prefer a less... syllable intensive workout."
Edwin Odesseiron - Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Quote: This shadow fiend requires 6-8 levels of shadowdancer, no more no less.
I don't see the catch,
9 SD or higher and you get the shadow lord. The shadow lord has a huge limitation on shadow attack, and thus cannot use it as reliably as the fiend. (There is a 1/3 chance that the shadow lord will use shadow attack at least once throughout an entire combat, 1/9 that it will use it at least twice, etc. while the shadow fiend does not have this restriction).
As for your suggestion Druid 25/Monk 9/SD 6 can also get epic dodge.
Edited By WhiZard on 09/06/09 15:30
Quote: Posted 09/06/09 15:27 (GMT) -- WhiZard
9 SD or higher and you get the shadow lord. The shadow lord has a huge limitation on shadow attack, and thus cannot use it as reliably as the fiend. (There is a 1/3 chance that the shadow lord will use shadow attack at least once throughout an entire combat, 1/9 that it will use it at least twice, etc. while the shadow fiend does not have this restriction).
As for your suggestion Druid 25/Monk 9/SD 6 can also get epic dodge.
Your suggestion requires an alignment change. I would go 8 sd simply cuz the minion will be very unreliable vs upper area monsters. As it is, he will be sucky without buffs.
I am glad thax answered cuz i was leanin to druids, but i dont know them myself. _________________
I think avado answered your question like no other could...
Why wouldn't Lawful Neutral work?
Ignore avado, there is no alignment shift on a Druid/Monk/Shadowdancer. _________________ "My name is Thaxll'ssyllia, but you simians may refer to me merely as "Sir", if you prefer a less... syllable intensive workout."
Edwin Odesseiron - Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
LMAO! That's what happens when 2 years go by without a log. Building mind is there, simple things go amiss..
