Unlock the secrets of the Dark Lurker archetype in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous! Learn about its unique abilities, level progression, and how to dominate from the shadows.
Hey there! So you're interested in the Dark Lurker archetype in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, huh? This is a really cool option if you like playing a character who's all about stealth and striking from unexpected angles. Just a heads-up, you'll need the Lord of Nothing DLC to play as a Dark Lurker.
Basically, a Dark Lurker is someone who thrives in the shadows. They get some sweet bonuses when they're hidden or when they're close to bigger foes, and they get access to the awesome Blind Fight feat line right from the start. The trade-off? They lose out on the Evasion ability by default, though you can pick it up later as a talent. They also tend to get fewer general talents compared to other rogues, so you'll want to be strategic about what you pick.
Let's break down how they progress level by level:
| Lvl | Feat | Special 1 | Special 2 | Special 3 |
| 0 | - | Rogue Proficiencies | Weapon Finesse | Trapfinding |
| 1 | Feat | - | Sneak Attack | - |
| 2 | - | Blind Fight | Blade from the Shadows | - |
| 3 | Feat | - | Danger Sense | Finesse Training |
| 4 | - | Rogue Talent | Debilitating Injury | Uncanny Dodge |
| 5 | Feat | - | - | - |
| 6 | - | Rogue Talent | - | - |
| 7 | Feat | - | - | - |
| 8 | - | Improved Blind Fight | - | Improved Uncanny Dodge |
| 9 | Feat | - | - | - |
| 10 | - | Rogue Talent | Advanced Talents | - |
| 11 | Feat | - | - | Finesse Training |
| 12 | - | Rogue Talent | - | - |
| 13 | Feat | - | - | - |
| 14 | - | Greater Blind Fight | Blade from the Shadows (Full Attack) | - |
| 15 | Feat | - | - | - |
| 16 | - | Rogue Talent | - | - |
| 17 | Feat | - | - | - |
| 18 | - | Rogue Talent | - | - |
| 19 | Feat | - | - | Finesse Training |
| 20 | - | Instinctual Sense | Master Strike | - |
Now, let's talk about those special abilities:
- Blade from the Shadows: Starting at 2nd level, this is your bread and butter for getting into position. If you're within 5 feet of a larger enemy, you can use your standard action to hop into their shadow and then pop out from the shadow of another larger enemy within 30 feet. This lets you deliver a sneak attack with your melee weapon. It gets even better at night – you'll get a sweet +2 circumstance bonus to your attack roll. Plus, at night, you'll also get a +2 bonus to your initiative rolls, helping you act first in combat.
- Blade from the Shadows (Full Attack): Once you hit 14th level, this ability gets a major upgrade. When you use Blade from the Shadows, you can now make a full round attack instead of just one strike. Your first attack still counts as a sneak attack, and you still get that +2 circumstance bonus at night. This means you can really lay into enemies when the conditions are right.
- Instinctual Sense: At the capstone 20th level, you gain blindsight with a 30-foot range. This is huge for spotting hidden enemies or dealing with effects that rely on sight.
So, the Dark Lurker is all about using positioning and darkness to your advantage. It's a unique playstyle that can be incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it!
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