Shadowdancers are a bit weird in NWN - HIPS is a level dip but now a bit more balanced with 6 second cooldown, so the focus needed is on buffs to make the other abilities much more thematic and useful.
For reference 3E Shadowdancer and 3.5E Shadowdancer
Overhaul Changes
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Still is tough to balance/improve - without Sneak Attack it's losing a lot of damage compared to pure rogue.
Overhaul Changes
- Hide In Plain Sight now has a 6 second cooldown so no spamming it constantly in a round
- Buff the powers significantly; some ideas from here with permission: https://wiki.cormyrdalelands.com/mechanics/class/shadowdancer - note these are technically spells but for now can make them unable to be dispelled to help a little.
- Shadow Daze - This replaced the D&D's "Shadow Illusion" ability which was the Silent Image spell. Keep it since it acts similarly (makes a creature unable to attack back). Improve by adding more uses/day (3) and a duration based on Shadowdancer level so it can get significantly more usage.
- Shadow Evade - This replaced the D&D's "Shadow Jump" ability allowing small teleports. Improve the bonuses significantly - up to 50% concealment at level 10, and increasing dodge AC and damage reduction. Keep to 5 rounds so still not a super long buff.
- Summon Shadow - This is a D&D ability but is a bit naff. Improve it by having it be a clone of the player, with no effects, spells or abilities to use but can act as a summon otherwise with the same equipment. Scaling amounts of HP amount and concealment. Epic Shadowlord improves it to have Shadow Evade bonuses by default and a higher duration.
Some skill issues as well, not sure why crafting skills and others are not class skills usually they are for all classes:
- Shadowdancer and weapon master are the only classes lacking the generic class skills craft weapon, craft trap, craft armor as well as concentration and parry (all are cross-class skills). They also should get Bluff.
Things to consider:
- Maybe move level 1 dip HIPS to a later level. This might no longer be necessary however with 6 second cooldown. Level 3 or 6 might be good.
- Replace Slippery Mind and Improved Evasion and change it to just the Rogue bonus feat list, and make it available at more levels. If we then extend the Rogue bonus feat list it'll affect them too.
- Re-add Shadow Jump since we could do this (but it can break modules).
Overhaul Description
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(PRESTIGE CLASS) Shadowdancers operate in the border between light and darkness. These nimble artists of deception are never completely trusted but always induce wonder when met. Many use their abilities to infiltrate past defenses and dupe others. Rogues and bards are the most common shadowdancers. - Hit Die: d8. - Proficiencies: Simple weapons and light armor. - Skill Points: 6 + Int Modifier. - Class Skills: Concentration, Craft Armor, Craft Trap, Craft Weapon, Heal, Hide, Listen, Lore, Move Silently, Parry, Persuade, Pick Pocket, Search, Spot, Tumble. - Primary saving throw(s): Reflex. - Base attack bonus: Medium (+3/4 per level). REQUIREMENTS: Skills: Hide 10 ranks, Move Silently 8 ranks, Tumble 5 ranks. Feats: Dodge and Mobility. ABILITIES: Level 1: Hide in Plain Sight - Can hide even while being observed once per round. 2: Evasion - No damage on a successful reflex save. Darkvision - Able to see in dim areas. Uncanny Dodge I - Retain dexterity bonus to armor class, even if flat-footed. 3: Shadow Daze - Inflict an illusory daze upon an enemy up to 3 times per day. Summon Shadow - Able to summon a shadow. This clone of yourself, this improves at levellevels 63 and 9. 4: Shadow Evade - Armor class, concealment and damage reduction bonuses can be applied up to 3 times per day that improve as levels increase. 5: Defensive Roll - Avoid death with a reflex save. Uncanny Dodge II - Grants a +1 bonus on Reflex saving throws made to avoid traps. It also grants immunity to sneak attacks from a flanking attacker unless the attacker has at least four more combined class levels of rogue, assassin, barbarian, and shadowdancer than the defender. 7: Slippery Mind - Failed Will saving throw gets automatic reroll. 10: Improved Evasion - Failed reflex saving throws result in only half damage. Uncanny Dodge III - Grants an additional +1 bonus on Reflex saving throws made to avoid traps. EPIC LEVELS: You have become almost indistinguishable from the darkness that cloaks you. As an epic shadowdancer you can become as shadow. Hit Die: d8 Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 6 + Int Modifier. Bonus Feats: The epic shadowdancer gains a bonus feat every three levels. Special: Shadow Evade: gains an additional +2 to its damage reduction amount and an additional +1 to its ability to resist magical weapons for every fivebonuses every 5 levels (i.e.15, a20 15thetc.) levelas shadowdancerper has 20% concealment and 12/4 damage reduction)feat description. Epic Shadowdancer Bonus Feats List: Blinding Speed, Epic Shadow Lord, Epic Skill Focus, Epic Dodge, Epic Reflexes, Improved Whirlwind Attack, Self-Concealment, Superior Initiative. |
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