This Level 1 Raptoran Ninja utilizes the Two Weapons Fighting feat to maximize their combat effectiveness with dual daggers. Their ghost step and sudden strike abilities provide advantages in stealth and surprise attacks. Despite their modest Strength, their Dexterity offers better agility and attacking prowess.
Stat Block Level 1:
Forest Tanto[1]: male, Raptoran Ninja 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (Raptoran); HD 1d6+3; hp 9; Init +3; Spd 30 ft., fly 40 ft.; AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk dagger +3 melee (1d4/19-20) or dagger +3 ranged (1d4/19-20); Full Atk dagger +3 melee (1d4/19-20) and dagger offhand +3 melee (1d4/19-20); SA Sudden Strike +1d6, Poison Use; SQ Ki Power, Ghost Step (invisible); AL CN; SV Fort +0, Ref +5, Will +2; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Concentration 4, Spot 4, Listen 4; Two Weapons Fighting, Weapon Finesse. Special Attacks and Qualities: Ghost Step (invisible) allows the ninja to become invisible for one round as a swift action. Sudden Strike +1d6 deals extra damage against foes denied their Dexterity bonus to AC.
Possessions: A pair of daggers.
This level 5 Raptoran character is a Ninja with stealth and agility. Specializing in quick, deadly strikes, they use the combo of daggers and a footbow with expertise. They can utilize Sudden Strikes and Ki Power to overwhelm foes while staying nimble.
Stat Block Level 5:
Raptoran Ninja 5: gender, Raptoran Ninja 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (augmented); HD 5d6+15; hp 30; Init +3; Spd 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (average); AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +3; Grp +3; Atk +7 melee (1d4/19-20, masterwork dagger) or +6 ranged (1d6/x3, footbow); Full Atk +7 melee (1d4/19-20, masterwork dagger) and +7 melee (1d4/19-20, masterwork dagger) or +6 ranged (1d6/x3, footbow); SA Sudden Strike +3d6, ki power 3/day, poison use; SQ Ghost Step (invisible), great leap, trap sense +1, wild empathy, uncanny dodge; AL LN; SV Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +1; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities and Feats:
Concentration +8, Stealth +8, Tumble +10, Disguise +4, Bluff +4; Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Dagger). Special Attacks and Qualities: Sudden Strike +3d6: extra 3d6 damage when the target is denied its Dexterity bonus. Ki Power: access to supernatural abilities. Ghost Step: turn invisible as a swift action for 1 round. Great Leap: make Acrobatics checks without penalty due to distance.
Possessions: masterwork daggers (x2), footbow.
The Forest Tanto[1] is a versatile flying shapeshifting ninja with strong close and ranged combat abilities. Specializing in dual-wielding magical daggers that transfer their effects to animal forms and utilizing footbows effectively for ranged combat. The build excels in spring attacks and escaping to safety.
Stat Block Level 10:
Forest Tanto[1]: male, Raptoran Ninja 5/Wildshaper[2] Ranger 5; CR 10; Medium humanoid (Raptoran); HD 5d6+5d8+30; hp 68; Init +3; Spd 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (average); AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +8; Grp +9; Atk masterwork dagger +12 melee (1d4+2/19-20) or masterwork footbow +12 ranged (1d8/x3); Full Atk masterwork dagger +10/+5 melee (1d4+2/19-20) and masterwork dagger +10 melee (1d4+2/19-20) or masterwork footbow +12 ranged (1d8/x3); SA Sudden Strike +3d6, Poison Use; SQ Wild Shape 1/day, Ki Power, Ghost Step (Invisible), Great Leap; AL LN; SV Fort +10, Ref +10, Will +3; Str 10, Dex 18, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities and Feats:
Concentration +8, Hide +15, Move Silently +15, Survival +8; Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Dagger), Track, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Endurance. Special Attacks and Qualities: Sudden Strike deals extra damage to flat-footed opponents; Poison Use allows poison without risk to self; Wild Shape grants ability to shapechange into animals once per day.
You are a formidable flying, shapeshifting ninja. You use Flyby Attack to strike and retreat, maintaining safety. Your dagger proficiency extends to wild shapes, and you’re deadly both in melee and ranged combat.
Stat Block Level 15:
Forest Tanto[1]: male, Raptoran Ninja 5/Wildshaper[2] Ranger 5/Daggerspell Shaper 5; CR 15; Medium Humanoid; HD 5d6 + 5d8 + 5d6; hp 92; Init +4; Spd 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (average); AC 21, touch 14, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +10; Grp +10; Atk dagger +15 melee (1d4+0); Full Atk 2 daggers +13/+13 melee (1d4+0); SA Sudden Strike +3d6, Poison Use; SQ Wild Shape 3/day, Ki Power, Ghost Step (Invisible), Great Leap, Fast Movement; AL CN; SV Fort +10, Ref +13, Will +8; Str 10, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Concentration +8, Hide +18, Move Silently +18; Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Dagger), Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Darkstalker. Special Attacks and Qualities: The dagger’s magic extends to animal forms, Daggercast, Dagger Claws, Sneak Attack, high mobility through flying and wild shapes.
Possessions: Masterwork daggers, footbow, cloak of resistance +3, boots of elvenkind.
This build creates a level 20 Raptoran Ninja adept at both close combat using daggers and ranged attacks with a footbow. Capable of shapeshifting, it leverages the magical properties of its weapons even in animal form. It focuses on hit-and-run tactics with Flyby Attack, enhanced by the ability to fly. It’s well-rounded in physical stats and relies on dexterity for combat advantages.
Stat Block Level 20:
Ninja: male, Raptoran Ninja 5/Wildshaper[2] Ranger 5/Daggerspell Shaper 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (Raptoran); HD 5d6+10d8+10d6; hp 150; Init +7; Spd 30 ft, fly 40 ft (average); AC 22, touch 17, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +15; Grp +16; Atk +21 melee (1d4+1, +1 dagger) or +22 ranged (1d8+1, footbow); Full Atk +21/+16/+11 melee (1d4+1, +1 dagger) and +21/+16 melee (1d4+1, +1 dagger) or +22/+17/+12 ranged (1d8+1, footbow); SA Sudden Strike +3d6, Poison Use, Ghost Step, Daggercast; SQ Wild Shape 4/day, Spellcasting, Evasion; AL LN; SV Fort +11, Ref +18, Will +8; Str 10, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10.
Levels 1-5: Focus on core ninja abilities, gaining Ki Power, Sudden Strike, Ghost Step, and Weapon Finesse. Enhances stealth and combat efficiency.
Levels 6-10: Transition to Wildshaper[2] Ranger, utilizing wild shape and enhancing melee with Weapon Focus(Dagger), Track, and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting. Gains animal companion and first favored enemy.
Levels 11-15: Specialize as Daggerspell Shaper, unlocking Daggercast, Dagger Claws, and Sneak Attack. Enhanced wild shaping abilities and Darkstalker feat for superior stealth and melee.
Levels 16-20: Achieve powerful wild shaping forms, including fast wild shape and enhanced natural attacks. Gains Daggerspell Flurry and reaches peak Dexterity and combat proficiency.
Core Abilities & Features of the Forest Tanto
Ki Power and Sudden Strike
Starting off, the Ninja class at level 1 provides Ki Power, the stepping stone of the build. Ki Power fuels many of the Ninja’s abilities like Ghost Step, making you invisible. Additionally, the Sudden Strike ability adds extra sneak attack damage when the target is denied their Dexterity bonus to AC. With a potential of +3d6 by level 5, your sudden strikes pack a punch.
Ghost Step and Weapon Finesse
By level 2, you gain Ghost Step, enabling you to become invisible for one round as a swift action. This works perfectly with the build’s high Dexterity. By level 3, you obtain the Weapon Finesse feat, letting you use your Dexterity for attack rolls with light weapons. This synchs perfectly with your Dex focused build, ensuring consistent and accurate strikes.
Wild Shape and Daggercast
Transitioning to the Wildshaper[2] Ranger at level 6 introduces Wild Shape and an Animal Companion. Wild Shape at level 10 lets you change form once per day, with this increasing as you progress. Entering the Daggerspell Shaper class at level 10 adds Daggercast, melding spellcasting with your attacks. Wild Shape evolves here, with more uses per day and enhanced forms, transforming you into a versatile attacker.
Enhanced Mobility and Versatility
The build also features the benefits of the Raptoran race. With natural flight, you maintain battlefield control and safety, crucial for hit-and-run tactics. Feats like Weapon Focus and Two Weapons Fighting, combined with the ability to Flyby Attack, let you dive in, strike, and retreat swiftly. Finally, abilities like Improved Two-Weapon Fighting and Greater Two-Weapon Fighting bolster your damage output dramatically.
Equipment Progression of the Forest Tanto
Level Range
Equipment
Details
L1-5
Masterwork Daggers
High quality daggers with a +1 bonus to attack roles. Essential for early levels.
Footbow
Combined with Raptoran racial abilities, this ensures superior ranged attacks.
L6-10
+1 Flaming Daggers
Added fire damage enhances offense capabilities significantly. Magical properties transfer in animal forms.
Boots of Striding and Springing
Boost movement speed and jump capabilities, supporting hit-and-run tactics.
L11-15
+2 Wounding Daggers
Causes ongoing damage to opponents, enhancing the effectiveness of strikes.
Cloak of Elvenkind
Boosts stealth, vital for a Ninja’s ability to stay unseen.
L16-20
+3 Keen Daggers
Increased critical hit chances turn every strike into a potentially deadly blow.
Ring of Invisibility
Provides the edge in stealth, allowing for surprise attacks or quick retreats.
Combat Scenarios as a Forest Tanto
Dungeon Crawls:
In tight, enclosed spaces, utilize your Wild Shape ability to become a smaller, agile form like a cat, using your enhanced stealth and scent abilities to navigate and detect traps. Leverage Sneak Attack when enemies are caught unaware for maximum damage.
Open Fields:
Your flying ability as a raptoran allows you to stay above the fray. Use Flyby Attack to swoop down, strike, and retreat to safety. Shape shift into a faster form if needed for quick escapes or repositioning in the vast area.
Ambushes:
Utilize Ghost Step to become invisible, gaining the element of surprise. Wild Shape into a predator, enhancing your instinct and raw power for devastating initial strikes. Sneak Attack combined with natural attacks can overwhelm opponents quickly.
Defensive Stands:
Choose a sturdy animal form for increased resilience. Use your Animal Companion as a frontline defender while you use ranged attacks with your footbow from a distance. Create barriers with your environment, using survival instincts honed from your ranger skills.
Urban Encounters:
Blend into the urban environment using your Wild Shape to mimic common animals. Utilize rooftops and narrow alleys to stay out of sight. Strike with Sneak Attacks and then vanish using Ghost Step, keeping enemies disoriented and on edge.
Weaknesses & Counters of the Forest Tanto
Weakness
Counters
Reliance on Dexterity for Attacks
Enhancing Dexterity with items such as Gloves of Dexterity (+2 to +6 Dex boost)
Low Hit Points at Lower Levels
Using items like Amulet of Health (+2 to +6 Con boost) and adopting defensive combat tactics
Vulnerable to Area of Effect Spells
Acquiring Cloak of Resistance (+1 to +5 to all saves), and positioning wisely in combat
Limited in effective damage against Constructs and Undead (immune to sneak attacks)
Using magic weapons with properties like Holy (for undead) and Ghost Touch (for incorporeal creatures)
Dependency on Wild Shape for versatility
Maximizing use of wild shape with items like Wilding Clasps (preserves equipment use in wild shape)
Possibility of Losing Weapons
Carrying spares or using a Necklace of Natural Weapons (enhances natural attacks)
Low Strength, impacting carrying capacity
Adopting Muleback Cords (increases carrying capacity) or Bag of Holding (additional storage)
Limited close combat endurance
Staying mobile with Boots of Striding and Springing (increases movement speed and jump)
Weak to Dispel Magic effects
Using items that increase caster level like Orange Ioun Stone (+1 caster level)
Roleplaying the Forest Tanto
Forest Hunter
Imagine being the creature that blends seamlessly with the forest. As a Raptoran with the Ninja Forest Tanto[1] build, you are every bit the predator as any beast. Use your Wildshaper[2] Ranger abilities to take on various animal forms. This can serve as an excellent disguise or a tactical advantage, changing the dynamics of interactions.
That raptoran footbow isn’t just for combat. Think about the story beats where your character could use it for signaling, testing the strength of a branch, or setting off traps from a distance. The dexterous application of mundane skills builds immersion in your character’s world.
Enigmatic Silence
Raptorans communicate using their wings and body language more often than with words. This adds a mysterious edge to your character. With high Dexterity and Wisdom, your Ninja Forest Tanto[1] can communicate with subtle gestures and nuanced expressions, a quiet yet profound presence in any party.
Moreover, emphasize the use of Ki Power and Ghost Step in roleplaying. Don’t just see these as combat advantages but as integral aspects of your character’s mystique. Perhaps in conversation, your character suddenly turns invisible to emphasize a point or makes sudden, strike like movements to gather information without alerting others.
Dual Warrior
The combination of daggers and the footbow showcases versatility. Roleplay scenarios where switching between melee and ranged combat is essential. Picture a scene where your character leaps from a high vantage point, transitioning from long-range shots to a flurry of dagger attacks.
Don’t forget the Daggerspell Shaper’s ability to cast spells through your weapon attacks. In tense situations, you might prepare to cast a spell with a dagger in hand, waiting for the perfect moment. This highlights the element of patience and readiness in a Ninja.
Forest Protector
Integrate the Forest Tanto[1]’s protective nature into the roleplay. Your character has a close bond with the forest and its creatures. You might find yourself negotiating with forest spirits or local fae to protect your domain. This connection can lead to rich storytelling opportunities.
Using Wild Empathy and Animal Companion, your Ninja can build relationships with NPCs through their interactions with animals. Play up these relationships to showcase how deeply your character is integrated with their environment, emphasizing their role as a guardian of the wilderness.
FAQ
How should I start building a Ninja with the Forest Tanto[1] build?
Begin as a Ninja at level 1 for core abilities like Ki Power and Sudden Strike. Ki Power is essential for your stealth tactics and sudden strikes add extra damage. By level 2, gain Ghost Step and the feat Weapon Finesse. These abilities focus on using high Dexterity for maximum effectiveness in stealth and combat.
What are the key feats and abilities to focus on up to level 20?
From levels 1-5, emphasize abilities like Ki Power, Sudden Strike, and Ghost Step. Transition to Wildshaper[2] Ranger by level 6 for Wild Shape and an Animal Companion. Between levels 10-15 specialize as a Daggerspell Shaper. Finally, from levels 16-20, focus on enhanced Wild Shape forms and Dexterity-based combat feats like Improved Two-Weapon Fighting.
For low hit points, use Amulets of Health and adopt defensive tactics. Area of effect spells can be countered with a Cloak of Resistance and smart positioning. To handle enemies immune to sneak attacks, use magic weapons like Holy for undead. Enhance Dexterity with Gloves of Dexterity and carry spare weapons for versatility.
What are some effective tactics for different combat scenarios?
In dungeon crawls, use Wild Shape to become a smaller animal for scouting. For open fields, utilize the Raptoran’s flying abilities with Flyby Attack. When ambushing, use Ghost Step to become invisible and strike first. In defensive stands, choose a sturdy Wild Shape form and use your Animal Companion to hold the line.
Embrace the forest predator theme, using animal forms to disguise and tactically advantage. Communicate using subtle gestures and the Raptoran’s body language. Leverage Ki Power and Ghost Step for mystical effects. Highlight versatility by switching between melee and ranged combat as needed. Show a deep connection with nature via Wild Empathy and Animal Companion interactions.
Writer, Editor, GM, Technologist – Andrew’s been playing TTRPGs since as far back as he can recall… at least sometime in the nineties… or was it the early 2000s?
Making her way through the thicket of trees and underbrush, she began to notice the signs of passage, the scents and tracks of the clan that were living in this section of the woodland.
Far above her, in the sky, the raptoran was keeping his distance while monitoring her progress. Engaging her, even to test her abilities himself would lead to a rapid loss on his part, he had seen her skills beforehand, even with his ability to shapeshift, his defeat was certain.
Instead, he opted to remain hidden, to follow and observe as her exploration began to take her deeper and deeper into his home. When the time came, the raptoran turning homeward, and rapidly returning to his leader to report on what he’d encountered, what the woman’s capabilities were, and what she was doing in the forest.
Race
Raptoran
Class
Ninja 5/Wildshaper Ranger 5/Daggerspell Shaper 10
Ability Scores
Str 10/Dex 16/Con 16/Int 10/Wis 14/Cha 10
Skills
Concentration 8
Equipment
A pair of daggers, footbow
Goal
You are a flying, shapeshifting ninja who can flyby spring attack enemies and fly back into relative safety. You are a master with daggers and if they are magical they transfer their magic to your animal forms too. You can also switch to ranged combat with a fair degree of ease, using raptorans footbows with great effect.
-“What happened to her after you defeated the beast?” Asked one of the kids, the old man across from them gave a mild chuckle, their curiosity always bringing a smile to him. He scratched his chin slowly, collecting his thoughts as the fire cracked in the fireplace. The whole inn was listening to the half-elf’s story now.
-“Well, as well traveled as I am, there were many things I could teach her, I could teach everything about listening to nature, how to hunt beasts and how to recognize plants and prints. Though, as with all teachers, there were some things I could never teach her. How to be a beast, as she already was, being a werewolf and all. She wanted to learn to better control and use that part of her. So she left too, eventually, in search of the Lady of the Woods.”
There were whispers in the inn when that name came out of the storyteller’s mouth. The traveling woman pulled out a smoke pipe and started cleaning it, and prepared some dried herbs.The half-elf continued unfazed.
-“The Lady is said to be as old as the forest, and its most ancient guardian, capable of taking the form of all the beasts who walk its depths. From the smallest insect to the most majestic dragon, she is one with each of these forms. If someone could teach our young wolf lady how to control her inner beast, it was the Lady.”
Race
Changeling
Class
Wildshaping Ranger 5(Variant)/Master of Many Forms 10/Nature’s Warrior 3/Warshaper 2
You are a ranger capable of Wildshaping like the druid. But you take that ability and crank it to eleven. You have more than ten uses per day, can change your form in the same use of wild shape, and can take nearly any form in the monster manual. This makes you a fantastic swiss army knife of a character, with a form for every situation, and by gaining the Extraordinary abilities of your forms, your toolset only expands even more. Take the form of a fly to spy on a conversation or the form of a friggin’ Dragon to fight virtually any enemy as two examples.
And they say only Tier 1 characters have a backpocket plan for any situation…
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