Article-At-A-Glance
- The Calamity Dancer[1] expertly blends melee and spellcasting through Skald’s Demoniac features.
- Optimize character building by leveraging Pitborn Tiefling’s Strength and Charisma bonuses.
- Mitigate vulnerabilities using smart equipment choices and strategic combat techniques.
- Roleplaying opportunities abound, enriching gameplay with demonic ties and performance.
Click on the level for more information
The level 1 Calamity Dancer[1] build is a Pitborn Tiefling Skald with a strong melee presence and spellcasting capabilities. With a focus on Charisma, this character excels in Intimidating foes and supporting allies. Initiates combat with Skald’s Vigor for self-healing, while wielding a Glaive for reach attacks. Ideal for frontline combat with the ability to cast utility and debuff spells.
Level 1 Stat Block
Calamity Dancer[1]: female, Pitborn Tiefling Skald 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (native outsider); HD 1d8+1; hp 9; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +0; Grp +3; Atk Glaive +3 melee (1d10+3/x3) or dagger +0 ranged (1d4+3/19-20); Full Atk Glaive +3 melee (1d10+3/x3); SA Skald’s Vigor; SQ Bardic Knowledge, Tiefling traits; AL CN; SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +3; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +7, Knowledge (Planes) +4, Spellcraft +4, Perform (Dance) +7; Skald’s Vigor.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Skald’s Vigor allows self-healing during Raging Song.
Possessions:
Glaive, chain shirt, backpack, spell component pouch, 10 gp.
At level 5, this Skald combines spellcasting, melee capabilities, and demonic influences. With Power Attack and Demonic Obedience unlocked, this character leverages high Charisma and Strength. The choice of a Pitborn Tiefling enhances these abilities. Supernatural elements like Summon Monster I add to their versatility. They pack a punch with their Glaive, bolstered by their Raging Song.
Level 5 Stat Block
Calamity Dancer[1]: female, Pitborn Tiefling Skald 5; CR 5; Medium Outsider (native); HD 5d8+5; hp 33; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +3; Grp +6; Atk Glaive +6 (1d10+5/×3) or Power Attack Glaive +8 (1d10+7/×3); Full Atk Glaive +6 (1d10+5/×3) or Power Attack Glaive +8 (1d10+7/×3); SA Raging Song, Demonic Obedience; SQ Bardic Performance, Versatile Performance, Inspiring Courage, Fiend Totem; AL CN; SV Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +4; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +8, Knowledge (Planes) +7, Perform (Dance) +7; Skald’s Vigor, Power Attack, Demonic Obedience.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Raging Song grants allies benefits including bonuses to Strength and Constitution; can summon a minor demon daily through demonic influence.
Possessions:
Glaive, best affordable Medium Armor.
This build at level 10 stands strong with spellcasting, summoning focuses, and melee prowess, with a glaive for close combat and medium armor for defense. Abilities in Charm and Fear magic support allies and control enemies. The Demonic Obedience feat offers demon lord boons, and rage powers enhance combat effectiveness.
Level 10 Stat Block
Calamity Dancer[1]: female, Pitborn Tiefling Skald 7/Demoniac 3; CR 10; Medium Humanoid (Native Outsider); HD 10d8+20; hp 80; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +8; Grp +11; Atk Glaive +13 melee (1d10+6/x3) or Javelin +10 ranged; Full Atk Glaive +13/+8 melee (1d10+6/x3) or Javelin +10 ranged; SA Raging Song, Demonic Boons; SQ Energumen, Telepathy, Resistance Cold 10, Electricity 10, Fire 10; AL CN; SV Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +7; Str 16, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +16, Knowledge (Planes) +10, Spellcraft +10, Perform (Dance) +8; Skald’s Vigor, Power Attack, Demonic Obedience, Iron Will.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Raging Song (Inspire Rage), Demonic Boons (from chosen Demon Lord), Energumen (gains Profane Bonus and risk Confusion).
Possessions:
Glaive, Medium Armor, Demonic Focus (for Obedience), spell components.
This Calamity Dancer[1] at level 15 excels at melee combat with devastating attacks boosted by a +12 bonus to Strength. The build combines Skald magic, Demoniac hierarchies, and high Charisma for powerful melee strikes, dread inducing intimidations, and effective summoning. Demonic transformations and fiendish rage powers bolster both offense and defense, making it a formidable battlefield presence.
Level 15 Stat Block
Calamity Dancer[1]: female, Pitborn Tiefling Skald 8/Demoniac 7; CR 15; Medium humanoid (outsider); HD 8d8+7d10+60; hp 142; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; AC 24, touch 12, flat-footed 22; Base Atk +15; Grp +21; Atk Glaive +23 (1d10+12/×3) or Power Attack Glaive +19 (1d10+24/×3); Full Atk Glaive +23/+18/+13 (1d10+12/×3) or Power Attack Glaive +19/+14/+9 (1d10+24/×3); SA Inspire Rage, Demonic Obedience, Summon Demons 1/Day; SQ Bardic Knowledge, Demonic Form, Fiend Totem, Greater Fiend Totem, Rage Powers: Superstition; AL Chaotic Evil; SV Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +13; Str 28, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +25, Knowledge (Planes) +15, Spellcraft +15, Perform (Dance) +15; Skald’s Vigor, Power Attack, Demonic Obedience, Iron Will, Cornugon Smash, Lingering Performance, Expanded Spell Kenning, Intimidating Prowess.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Demonic Obedience grants daily bonuses and boons from a chosen Demon Lord. Greater Fiend Totem automatically shakes nearby good and neutral enemies, dealing 2d6 damage to good creatures. Demonic Form allows temporary transformation into a demonic visage providing fly speed, telepathy, and resistances.
Possessions:
Masterwork Glaive, +3 Medium Armor, Cloak of Resistance +3, Amulet of Natural Armor +2.
The Skald Calamity Dancer[1] at level 20 is a formidable melee combatant with strong summoning capabilities. Adopting the Pitborn Tiefling race enhances both Strength and Charisma, which are central to the Demon Dancer build. The character excels in demonic influence, featuring an impressive array of spells, powerful melee strikes, and the ability to summon demons daily. They can intimidate and demoralize foes effortlessly while providing buffs to allies via Inspire Rage.
Level 20 Stat Block
Calamity Dancer[1]: female, Pitborn Tiefling Skald 7/Demoniac 10/Skald 3; CR 20; Medium humanoid (native outsider); HD 20d10+60; hp 220; Init +10; Spd 30 ft.; AC 24, touch 15, flat-footed 20; Base Atk +15; Grp +28; Atk Glaive +28 melee (1d10+20/×3) or Summoned Demons; Full Atk Glaive +28/+23/+18 melee (1d10+20/×3) and Summoned Demons; SA Inspire Rage, Summon Demon 1/day; SQ Demonic Form, Fiend Totem, Greater Fiend Totem, Demonic Obedience; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +18, Ref +14, Will +19; Str 28, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 22.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Intimidate +30, Knowledge (Planes) +15, Spellcraft +15, Perform (Dance) +10; Skald’s Vigor, Power Attack, Demonic Obedience, Iron Will, Cornugon Smash, Lingering Performance, Expanded Spell Kenning, Intimidating Prowess, Reckless Rage, Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Demonic Transformations flight, telepathy, resistances and DR; Demonic Boons as chosen from Pazuzu, Baphomet, or Jezelda; Energumen.
Possessions:
Glaive, best Medium Armor available.
Milestones Of Character Development for the Calamity Dancer
- Levels 1-5: Establish a strong foundation with Skald’s Vigor and Power Attack. Lay the groundwork for intimidation tactics by mastering the Cornugon Smash feat by level 5.
- Levels 6-10: Transition into the Demoniac class, gaining the Demonic Obedience feat for daily boons from a chosen Demon Lord. Begin summoning demons and developing unique class abilities. Enhance survivability with Iron Will and utilize Fiend Totem as part of Rage Powers.
- Levels 11-15: Optimize combat effectiveness with Lingering Performance and Expanded Spell Kenning. Acquire superior intimidation skills with Intimidating Prowess. Unlock additional benefits from summoned monsters and expand the spell repertoire including Summon Monster IV and Calamitous Flailing.
- Levels 16-20: Master the battlefield with overpowering performance, reaching irresistible intimidation with Greater Fiend Totem. Gain improved combat initiative and unlock Improved Initiative. Finalize the spell arsenal with powerful spells like Summon Monster VI and Mind Fog, transforming the Calamity Dancer[1] into a force to be reckoned with.
Core Abilities & Features of the Calamity Dancer
The Calamity Dancer[1] build fuses the ferocity of a Skald with the dark allure of demons. At its heart is the Demon Dancer archetype and the Demoniac prestige class. This blend enables monstrous versatility, combining melee prowess and spellcasting with fiendish powers.
The build leverages the Pitborn Tiefling’s innate bonuses to Strength and Charisma, crucial for both melee combat and spellcasting. By focusing on Constitution and Charisma, the character maximizes endurance and spell performance. Additionally, traits such as Maestro of the Society reduce the strain of Raging Songs, while Reactionary boosts initiative, making the character quick on their toes.
Key feats like Demonic Obedience bring deep strategic layers. Worshiping a Demon Lord allows for powerful boons, raising combat ability and versatility. Spells like ‘Summon Monster’ bring allies to the field, while Rage Powers like Greater Fiend Totem wreak havoc on foes. The build offers a potent mix of offensive, defensive, and utility capabilities that keep foes off-balance and allies empowered.
The Demoniac’s Energumen power grants significant boosts to chosen stats but risks confusion, easily mitigated by protective spells. The ability to summon and transform into a demon grants temporary but immense battlefield advantages. This dual role as a battle warrior and demonic conjurer means calamity, truly defining the fearsome power of the Calamity Dancer[1].
Equipment Progression for the Calamity Dancer
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Masterwork Glaive | This weapon offers a +1 to hit and deals significant damage. Effective for frontline combat, complementing the Skald’s strength in melee. |
| L6-10 | +1 Glaive | Enhance your Glaive with a magical bonus, increasing both damage and accuracy. A vital upgrade for repeated combat scenarios. |
| L11-15 | +2 Mithral Breastplate | Provides enhanced armor class with reduced weight. The mithral material maintains dexterity bonuses, a wise investment for any Skald. |
| L16-20 | +3 Keen Glaive | Increases critical hit range, ideal for maximizing damage output. A crucial upgrade for late-game encounters. |
Combat Scenarios Involving the Calamity Dancer
- Dungeon Crawls:
- Use Demonic Form for flight and scouting. Summon demons to navigate traps. Cast ‘Detect Magic’ to spot magical barriers or rooms.
- Open Fields:
- Use ‘Summon Monster’ spells to bolster your ranks. Setup a ‘Haste’ for allies before charging. Use ‘Inspire Rage’ to enhance all melee fighters.
- Ambushes:
- Activate ‘Mirror Image’ to avoid early hits. Use ‘Cause Fear’ to scatter initial attackers. Transition into Demonic Form for quick retreat or counter-attack.
- Defensive Stands:
- Cast ‘Freedom of Movement’ to avoid entrapment. Use ‘Fiend Totem’ for deterrence. Maintain a defensive line using ‘Superstition’ to resist spells.
- Urban Encounters:
- Utilize ‘Alter Self’ for disguise and infiltration. Use ‘Prestidigitation’ to manipulate the environment. Charm guards with ‘Charm Person’ for easy passage.
Weaknesses & Counters for the Calamity Dancer
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Confusion from Energumen | Maintain a source of Protection from Evil or Protection from Chaos to avoid confusion post-Energumen. |
| High Will Save Dependency | Enhance saves by wearing a Cloak of Resistance for additional save bonuses. |
| Limited Raging Song Rounds | Use the Maestro of the Society trait to maximize Raging Song usage. |
| Reliance on Charisma for Abilities | Utilize a Headband of Alluring Charisma to boost your Charisma score, counteracting any reductions. |
| Vulnerability to Exorcisms | Use a Ring of Mind Shielding to protect against divination or mind control attempts. |
Roleplaying the Calamity Dancer
Stepping into the shoes of a Calamity Dancer[1] offers a grand opportunity to embrace chaos in a structured setting. With a Pitborn Tiefling heritage, your character would naturally lean towards an audacious persona, possibly exhibiting a moral flexibility due to their demonic heritage. This isn’t just about mayhem for mayhem’s sake, but about finding beauty in chaos and weaving it to your advantage.
Your character’s connection to the Demon Lord can drive roleplaying depth. Are you devoutly loyal to your chosen fiend, performing daily rituals with fervor? Or perhaps you view this as a means to an end, keeping a respectful but skeptical distance? Engaging with intrigued allies or skeptical party members about your choice might bring a point of tension or camaraderie.
The love for performance should shine through, even outside of battle. As a Skald, infusing your storytelling with the eerie elegance of Infernal tunes could draw in crowds or send them running. Imagine your tales being supplemented with little demonic whispers, adding an edge that keeps listeners both intrigued and on edge.
When opting for the Demoniac path, consider how the Energumen’s yielding to rage and resolve manifests in your character’s interactions. Maybe they exhibit a constant internal struggle between wanting to control the power or let it consume them fully. Performing the Demonic Obedience ritual could be a sacred yet terrifying ordeal, shaving sanity but strengthening resolve.
FAQ
What makes the Calamity Dancer[1] build unique?
The Calamity Dancer[1] is unique because it blends Skald abilities with demonic powers. It uses the Demon Dancer archetype and Demoniac prestige class. This combination allows for strong melee capabilities enhanced by fiendish spellcasting. Tiefling lineage boosts physical and magical prowess further. This build plays heavily on its chaotic nature, utilizing both combat skills and dark magic.
How does the Calamity Dancer[1] manage resource limitations?
Resource management is key for the Calamity Dancer[1] build. The Maestro of the Society trait extends Raging Song usage. Demonic Obedience offers daily boons, aiding resource conservation. Access to strong spells allows strategic casting, preserving magical resources. Equipment choices, like a Cloak of Resistance, bolster defenses to reduce reliance on active resources.
What spells are essential for this build?
Crucial spells include Summon Monster for battlefield control. Haste is a must have to enhance party effectiveness. Protection from Evil/Chaos mitigates confusion effects. Mind Fog reduces enemy resistances, allowing easier control over foes. Alter Self aids in disguise and deception tactics. Gain battlefield advantage with spells like Calamitous Flailing and Heroism.
How do you counter the build’s weaknesses?
Confusion can be countered with Protection from Evil/Chaos spells. High Will Save dependency is managed with a Cloak of Resistance. Anti-magic struggles are mitigated by prioritizing melee capabilities. Limited Raging Song rounds are extended by the Maestro of the Society trait. Investment in Charisma enhancing gear like the Headband of Alluring Charisma helps sustain spellcasting prowess.
What role does roleplaying play in a Calamity Dancer[1] campaign?
Roleplaying offers unique opportunities with the Calamity Dancer[1]. Embrace the chaotic nature of your Tiefling heritage. Interactions can range from devout demon worship to strategic manipulation. Engaging with party members over your demonic powers adds depth. Use performances and storytelling to weave themes of chaos into the narrative. Seamlessly blend battle prowess with intricate social engagement.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Calamity Dancer!
Consider trying the build in your next session. Could it be the ultimate Pathfinder 1E build? Join the conversation on the Stellar Dragons Discord server!
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Skald – Calamity Dancer – Pathfinder 1E ( Calamity Dancer )
Categories: Pathfinder 1E Character Builds, Pathfinder 1E Skald Builds
Calamity Dancer
We now know for a fact that Skalds are a really, really strong class, more than capable on the frontline, as a face, and as a spellcaster. But what if we were to involve Demons into the picture?
Introducing the Demon Dancer Archetype along with the Demoniac Prestige Class. Our Levelling should look like the following:
Class
Skald 7/Demoniac 10/Skald +3
Race
We will do a Pitborn Tiefling, for extra Strength and Charisma from the get go. Also, thematically really appropriate.
Ability Scores
Round up Constitution and then everything into Charisma.
15Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 10/Con 13/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 16
20Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 14/Con 13/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 16
25Point-Buy
Str 16/Dex 14/Con 13/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 18
Traits
Maestro of the Society will help with lower Raging Music rounds, Reactionary will help with Initiative.
Favored Class Bonus
We will take the additional HP for this one.
Skills
We need Intimidate, Knowledge(Planes) and Spellcraft, leaving us only one spot for Perform(Dance).
Feats by Level
1-Skald’s Vigor
3-Power Attack
5-Demonic Obedience
7-Iron Will
9-Cornugon Smash
11-Lingering Performance
13-Expanded Spell Kenning
15-Intimidating Prowess
17-Reckless Rage
19-Improved Initiative
Skald’s Vigor, Power Attack, Lingering Performance and Expanded Spell Kenning are pretty darned self-explanatory. Lots of Intimidate and Power Attack means Cornugon Smash, which we double down on with Intimidating Prowess. Reckless Rage makes our Power Attack in Rage even stronger, but the showcase here is Demonic Obedience. We choose one Demon Lord to worship and by doing a one hour ritual each day, we get that Demon Lord’s Obedience’s power, and eventually up to three boons given by them.
Demoniac
Energumen, which lasts a few rounds each day, gives us a Profane Bonus to a stat of our choice and a few other bonuses, but makes us Confused once the effects finish unless we succeed on a DC 25 Will Save, but we can bypass that by entering into the effect of Protection from Evil or Protection from Chaos effect.
We also gain our Demon Lord’s boons at a much earlier rate. Choose your Demon Lord according to what you want to do. I highly recommend Pazuzu, Baphomet and Jezelda personally.
We also become able to Summon Demons 1/Day which is a fairly strong ability. Finally we can turn into a Demonic Form ourselves, granting us a fly speed, Telepathy, a bunch of elemental resistances and even a DR. We can stay in this form 1 minute per Caster Level each day which is massive.
Rage Powers
3-Superstition
6-Fiend Totem
19-Greater Fiend Totem
Superstition is our regular no-brainer, and as a Demon Dancer, we automatically get Fiend Totem and Greater Fiend Totem as part of the Archetype, even if we do not fulfill their conditions. Fiend Totem makes all of our allies while raging grow spikes that deal damage to enemies attacking them in melee. Greater Fiend Totem makes every enemy that is good or neutral around us while raging shaken without a saving throw. That alone is completely ridiculous. But if the creature is hood, it also takes 2d6 damage. That. Is. Very. Stong.
Spells Gained by Level
1-Ghost Sounds, Mage Hand, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Charm Person, Cause Fear
2-Read Magic, Cure Light Wounds
3-Sift, Summon Monster I
4-Scare, Summon Monster II
5-Cure Moderate Wounds
6-Alter Self
7-Clarion Call, Haste, Summon Monster III
8-N/A
9-Cure Serious Wounds
10-Assume Appearance
11-Mirror Image, Dimension Door, Summon Monster IV
12-Dancing Lantern, Freedom of Movements
13-Cure Critical Wounds
14-Calamitous Flailing, Summon Monster V, Crime Wave
15-Allegro, Death Pact
16-Foe to Friend
17-Greater Assume Appearance, Summon Monster VI, Animate Objects
18-Charm Monster, Eyebite
19-Life of Crime
20-Mind Fog
Equipment
Pick a Glaive and the best Medium Armor you can afford.
Final Thoughts on the Build.
With the ability to get a final bonus on Str of +12(+16 if we chose Baphomet as our Demon Lord) while under the effects of both Inspire Rage and Energumen, our melee attacks are not to be trifled with. We can absolutely demolish things in melee, summon demons to our help in battle, shaken our enemies left and right and cast good buff spells and debuff our enemies. We are the heralds of calamity and with us, doom follows.
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