Shadow Shaman

Uncover the secrets of the Shadow Shaman in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. Learn about their unique abilities, level progression, and how to maximize their sneak attack and shadow powers.

Alright, let's talk about the Shadow Shaman in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. This subclass is all about embracing the darkness, getting up close and personal with sneak attacks, and becoming a master of stealth. If you like the idea of a caster who can also dish out some serious melee damage when the situation is right, this might be the build for you.

Here's the rundown on what makes a Shadow Shaman tick:

• They gain sneak attacks, which is huge for extra damage.
• Stealth becomes a class skill, making them naturally good at hiding.
• On the flip side, they lose out on three hexes, which are usually a Shaman's bread and butter for utility and control.
• They also lose the Wandering Spirit ability, so they won't be summoning spirits quite the same way.

The core of the Shadow Shaman's progression is laid out in their level progression table. It shows when you'll pick up new feats, gain those crucial sneak attack dice, and unlock their unique shadow-based abilities.

Let's break down those key abilities:

Sneak Attack

This is where the Shadow Shaman starts to shine offensively. Starting at 3rd level, your attacks will deal an extra 1d6 damage when you catch an opponent off guard (they're denied their Dexterity bonus) or when you're flanking them. This bonus damage keeps growing, increasing by another 1d6 every three levels, eventually reaching a hefty +6d6 by 18th level. This means you'll want to position yourself carefully in combat to take advantage of this.

Shadows

At 4th level, you gain the ability to tap into shadow magic for defense. You can activate the effects of the Blur spell a number of times per day equal to your Charisma modifier. This gives you a nice defensive buff. Then, at 9th level, you upgrade to the Displacement spell, which is even better at making you harder to hit. The real kicker comes at 14th level when you gain the effect of Greater Invisibility, making you truly elusive. Keep an eye on your Charisma score, as it directly impacts how often you can use these powerful defensive spells.

So, in short, the Shadow Shaman trades some of the Shaman's traditional versatility for a more focused role as a damage dealer and a master of staying hidden. It's a trade-off that can be incredibly powerful if you play to its strengths!