Shadowcaster Class Overview: Masters of shadow magic, Shadowcasters wield potent but specialized mysteries, blending spellcasting with stealth and subterfuge.
Duskblade[1]: A pure Shadowcaster build excelling in utility and scouting, enhanced by a powerful shadow familiar.
Night Mage[2]: A hybrid caster combining wizard spells and shadow mysteries for unparalleled magical versatility and counterspelling.
Shadow Assassin[3]: A skirmisher blending Shadowcaster abilities with melee combat for lethal hit-and-run tactics.
Shadow Tamer[4]: A whimsical yet powerful build featuring strong companions and battlefield control through shadow magic.
Wild Child[5]: A feral gish build combining natural attacks, survivability, and high-level mysteries for unique combat prowess.
Unique gish build with natural attacks, pounce, and high-level mysteries, coupled with strong survivability.
Complex synergy requirements make early levels challenging and resource-intensive.
Duskblade
A pure Shadowcaster build that fully embraces the mysterious powers of shadow magic, wielding their spells with unparalleled efficiency. This build excels at blending scouting and utility, combining high magic versatility with a powerful shadow familiar.
Capable of rivaling high-tier wizards with shadow magic while excelling at stealth and reconnaissance.
Limited scope of mysteries can make the build less adaptable in varied encounters.
Use the Sustaining Shadow ability to reduce reliance on resources like food and sleep, turning the Shadowcaster into a relentless and efficient scout.
Night Mage
A hybrid spellcaster mastering both Shadowcaster mysteries and arcane wizardry, resulting in a build capable of casting 9th-level wizard spells and mysteries. This versatile powerhouse combines devastating offensive magic with unparalleled counterspelling and disruption capabilities.
Combines the best of wizard spellcasting with shadow magic, creating a dual-threat caster and anti-caster.
Requires meticulous build planning and resource allocation to maintain balance between arcane and shadow powers.
Exploit Noctumancer’s counterspelling abilities to disrupt enemy casters while still delivering your own magical onslaught.
Shadow Assassin
A deadly skirmisher blending Shadowcaster mysteries with melee prowess, the Shadow Assassin[3] strikes from the darkness with lethal precision. Focused on hit-and-run tactics, this build sacrifices higher mysteries for enhanced combat effectiveness.
Excellent at dealing high burst damage through sudden strikes, with strong stealth and mobility.
Limited spellcasting compared to a pure Shadowcaster, reducing versatility outside of combat.
Leverage Shadowblade abilities like “Unseen Weapon” to deal unexpected damage and maintain the upper hand in melee.
Shadow Tamer
A whimsical yet powerful build resembling Peter Pan, the Shadow Tamer[4] combines shadow magic with leadership abilities to control powerful companions. It boasts a Shadow Elemental familiar and high-level mysteries for exceptional versatility.
Combines strong shadow magic with excellent support and control abilities through powerful companions.
Relies heavily on companions and followers for maximum effectiveness, making solo performance less optimal.
Use the Shadow Elemental and Pixie companion to dominate the battlefield with overwhelming presence and clever tactics.
Wild Child
A feral gish (gish = spellcasting and melee hybrid) that mixes natural attacks, Shadowcaster mysteries, and the primal strength of a Half-Vampire for a unique combat style. This build proves the viability of a Shadowcaster-based gish with impressive survivability and damage.
Combines natural attacks, pounce mechanics, and 9th-level mysteries for a truly dangerous and self-sufficient combatant.
Requires multiple feats and features to synergize, making early levels challenging.
Exploit your fast healing and Blur effects to outlast enemies while delivering consistent and devastating damage with natural attacks and mysteries.
FAQ
What is the core strength of the Shadowcaster class?
The Shadowcaster’s strength lies in its unique mysteries, which offer potent spell-like and supernatural abilities, blending stealth, utility, and magical versatility.
How does the Night Mage[2]build balance wizardry and shadow magic?
The Night Mage[2] leverages the Noctumancer and Mystic Theurge classes to seamlessly combine wizard spells and shadow mysteries, achieving 9th-level capabilities in both disciplines.
Yes, the Shadow Assassin[3] excels in melee combat by enhancing stealth and sudden strike abilities with shadow magic, making it a deadly hit-and-run combatant.
The Shadow Tamer[4] stands out due to its combination of powerful companions, like a Shadow Elemental and Pixie, alongside strong high-level mysteries, making it a versatile and flavorful battlefield controller.
Can the Wild Child[5] effectively gish with the Shadowcaster class?
Absolutely! The Wild Child[5] demonstrates that a Shadowcaster can integrate natural attacks, shadow magic, and survivability, creating a formidable gish character capable of thriving in melee and magic.
Ready to Step into the Shadows?
Unleash your creativity and master the art of shadow magic with these diverse Shadowcaster builds! Whether you want to dominate the battlefield as a hybrid caster, skirmish with deadly precision, or lead powerful companions into the fray, the Shadowcaster class offers endless possibilities. Join the discussion and share your own builds and strategies on theStellar Dragons Discord.
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?
At the Shadow Hand school, the man watched his younger brother get the hang of his new martial techniques. His skills slowly improved, greater and greater as the days passed. Musing to himself, he let out a sigh. His study of shadow magic progressed at a much more lackadaisical pace.
-“You seem disturbed”
The voice made him jump. The man turned to the old man behind him. A firm smile on the elder’s face as he lounged under the shade of the trees.
–“Yeah, sorry, it’s difficult for me to grasp how the shadow weave operates.” He responded, turning back to the book and huffing. The old man smiled opened up.
-“Perhaps, but fear not young nobleman. I have high hopes for you. High hopes indeed…”
You are a great scout, as capable as a rogue or a, well, scout. However, your strength is in your shadow magic, a form of spellcasting that is extremely potent, although highly limited in its scope. With your control over shadows, even when surrounded, no enemy can attack you as retaliation for casting, and your shadow familiar is extremely strong. With the right choice of Paths, your spellcasting can rival the strongest wizards.
As the two brothers left the camp, the master of shadow magic came to send them off.
–“Don’t forget what you have learned here young man.” The master said, smiling at the elder brother, who smiled back.
–“I have…a question sir, before I leave. Have you ever taught Shadow Magic to a Weave Mage before?”
The smile of the older man widened.
-“No, I have not. Shadow Magic and Regular Magic do not work well together, as you can attest yourself.”
–“So why teach me?” Asked the nobleman, curious to his reasons.
–“Because a mage who masters both the weave and its shadow is bound to become one of the most powerful spellcasters that has ever walked the land, young one…”
Race
Shadow Human
Class
Shadowcaster 3/Wizard 1/Noctumancer 10/Mystic Theurge 6 (2 LA Buyback)
What the old man in my story says to the Arcane Trickster is not wrong. A Noctumancer well built can cast both 9th level wizard spells and 9th level mysteries, making it, by far, one of the most powerful and versatile builds in dungeons and dragons period. Between the insanity of Wish, Simulacrum and Shapechange, with the shenanigans of Consume Essence and Shadow Time…Yeah, there really isn’t much that can cause you problems. And with your Counterspelling mastery and ability to lower caster levels of enemies, along the Shadow Weave Magic feat tree, yeah, you are not only one of the strongest spellcasters in the game, you’re also one of the strongest anti spellcasters in the game.
He barely dodged the shadowy blade that swung for the neck.
–“Watch where you wave that thing.” He said as he struggled to keep his breath. His opponent, a female catfolk with raven black fur smiled as suddenly his own shadow grasped him from behind, which left him immobilized.
–“And you watch where your shadow goes.” She replied amused.
She was his fighting tutor, focused on magic and the conjuration of blades from the shadows.
He gave an exacerbated sigh and raised his hands best he could given his immobility.
–“How can I keep up with you?” He asked, the woman chuckled. The shadow’s grasp maintained his prison as she came close.
–“By understanding that your real shadow is not the one projected here”. She pointed at his shadow, which was back where it belonged. The student was taken aback by the sudden change. In response the catfolk woman placed her index finger on his chest, and with a push threw him off balance and into the dust.
Race
Catfolk
Class
Shadowcaster 10/Shadowblade 10(1 LA Buyback)
Ability Scores
Str 10/Dex 20/Con 14/Int 16/Wis 10/Cha 12
Skills
Bluff 5, Hide 5, Move Silently 5
Equipment
a single dagger
Goal
You forgo higher mysteries to be able to enhance your skirmishing abilities to be easily on par with any rogue or ninja, using primal shadows to strike suddenly with great damage. Yet you still have access to 5th level mysteries, making you a dangerously versatile hit and run type combatant. You start your journey as any Shadowcaster but as you reach 10th level, your focus switches from spellcasting to skirmishing, scouting and melee damage, making you stand somewhere in the middle of the two with great efficiency.
Around the campfire, the masters told the apprentices of the founder the details of a secret school. Of a man who had refused to grow up. With fey magic, he remained forever a child, capable of flying via fairy dust, and followed by a number of wild children. His own shadow was his best friend and his mastery of shadow magic was second to none.
It is said that he is still out there, playing his farces on lost wanderers in those dark woods…
Race
Half-Fey Human
Class
Shadowcaster 10/Master of Shadows 10 (2LA Buyback)
Ability Scores
Str 8/Dex 12/Con 14/Int 17/Wis 11/Cha 18
Skills
Knowledge(Arcana) 5, Knowledge(The Planes) 8
Equipment
a Dagger
Goal
Yes. I have built Peter Pan. With Leadership you can have a Pixie Companion, and with Master of Shadow you have a Shadow Elemental Familiar, which is on par with high level animal companions like a T-Rex. And you can still cast 9th lvl Mysteries, so, you know, this build is extremely powerful. You are also a very effective Intimidancer, and a strong scout, making you a surprisingly versatile character.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Shadowcaster
8
Darkstalker, Dreadful Wrath
Fundamentals of Shadow, Apprentice Mysteries
2
Shadowcaster
1d6+2
–
Bonus Feats(Special)
3
Shadowcaster
1d6+2
Shadow Familiar
Umbral Sight(30ft.)
4
Shadowcaster
1d6+2
–
Bonus Fundamental, +1 Int
5
Shadowcaster
1d6+2
–
Sustaining Shadow(1 meal/week)
6
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
Imperious Command
Shadow Servant, Master’s Bidding(Standar d Action)
7
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
–
Resistance to Cold 5
8
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
–
+1 Int
9
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
Improved Initiative
Resistance to Cold 10
10
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
–
Master’s Bidding(Move Action)
11
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
–
Resistance to Cold 20
12
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
Skill Focus(Intimidat e)
+1 Int
13
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
–
–
14
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
–
–
15
Master of Shadow
1d8+2
Leadership
Immunity to Cold, Master’s Bidding(Swift Action), Rapid Shadow
As dusk fell on the camp, he sat down, exhausted, and watched his younger brother help the other martial apprentices prepare the evening meal. He opened his spellbook to a hidden page where he had drawn the portrait of his secret love, a woman who tried to kill him when they first met. He smiled softly, her and her sister were on their own quest, investigating ruins that might prove useful in defeating their enemies.
–“This is your girlfriend?” One of the masters sat next to him, his gaze over the younger man’s shoulder.
He smiled.
–“No, she doesn’t know about my feelings for her.”
The master gave a solid laugh, knowingly, his visage was pale and savage looking. Next to him was a large wolf made of shadows he was patting softly.
–“She…probably wouldn’t understand my feelings anyway, she is a werewolf and…you know, I am but human.”
The master raised an eyebrow.
–“And I was raised by a pack of wolves and yet I understand these things. When you two leave, you should tell her.”
Race
Feral Half-Vampire Gray Elf
Class
Shadowcaster 8/Fighter 1/Child of Night 10/Soul Eater 1 (3 LA Buyback)
Ability Scores
Str 16/Dex 16/Con 14/Int 16/Wis 12/Cha 8
Skills
Knowledge(Arcana) 8, Knowledge(The Planes) 8
Equipment
A Longsword and the best armor you can afford.
Goal
With Still Mystery you can cast your mysteries without risk of failing them fizzling out. You are what a gish shadowcaster actually looks like. You have several natural attacks, all cumulative with your(admittedly small) iterative attack, with Pounce, Rake and Rend, and yet you can cast 9th level mysteries, plus your familiar is either a Shadow Hellhound or a friggin Shadow Winter Wolf, and that’s just insanely strong as a familiar. Add the fact that you are constantly under a Blur effect, can summon swarms of bats, rats or a pack of wolves, have Fast Healing, a decent DR and you are a surprisingly strong gish. This build was made specifically because there was an argument that it was impossible to make a viable Gish Shadowcaster. Here’s my answer to that unsatisfactory opinion.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Shadowcaster
8
Darkstalker
Fundamentals of Shadow, Apprentice Mysteries
2
Shadowcaster
1d6+2
–
Bonus Feats(Special)
3
Fighter
1d10+2
Weapon
–
Focus(Claws )
4
Shadowcaster
1d6+2
–
Umbral Sight (+30 ft.), +1 Int
5
Shadowcaster
1d6+2
–
Bonus Fundamental
6
Shadowcaster
1d6+2
Still Mystery
Sustaining Shadow (1 meal/Week)
7
Child of Night
1d6+2
–
Cloak of Shadows, Cold Resistance 5
8
Child of Night
1d6+2
–
Sustaining Shadow (Sleep 1h/Day), +1 Int
9
Child of Night
1d6+2
Shadow Familiar
Dancing Shadows 1/Day
10
Child of Night
1d6+2
–
Cloak of Shadows(Blur 1/Day), Sustaining Shadow (Immune to Poisons/Diseas es)
11
Child of Night
1d6+2
–
Cold Resistance 10
12
Child of Night
1d6+2
Improved Familiar
Cloak of Shadows (Blur, 3/Day), Sustaining Shadow (No need Breath, Eat, Sleep), +1 Int
13
Child of Night
1d6+2
–
Dancing Shadows 2/Day
14
Child of Night
1d6+2
–
Cloak of Shadows(Blur, Continuous)
15
Child of Night
1d6+2
Multiattack
Cold Resistance 15
16
Child of Night
1d6+2
–
Cloak of Shadows (Displacement 2/Day), Night Form, +1 Int
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