Shadow Classes (4e Variant Rule)

Shadow Classes (Under Construction)

As an additional game mechanic rule, you can add thematic "shadow classes", which effect most classes in the game. When a class becomes a "shadow" class, it may add the shadow keyword to all of their powers, and may replace the damage type of all of their powers with the necrotic and cold damage in replace of their original damage type. In addition to this, shadow classes come with extra build options and powers relative to their class, however this depends heavily on the class. This builds off of the existing shadow class rules in the original Heroes of Shadow 4e Handbook, and adds several extras. In this way, far more build option are available. Every Shadow classes loses 1 healing surge by virtue of being a shadow class. They however gain access to numerous shadow specific features. Each shadow class is still their original class type, such as martial, primal, divine, psionic and arcane, they however add the additional Shadow class type.

Many shadow class comes with a new build option, effecting each class. These are the Shadow Hunter (Ranger), Dark Rogue (Rogue), Shadow Priest (Cleric), Shadow Lord (Warlord), Ulfsark (Barbarian), Witch Doctor (Shaman), Dark Mage (Wizard), Necromancer (Warlock), Death Knight (New 4e Class, or Paladin build), and Dark Knight (Fighter). This is in addition to the original Shadow Classes, or Blackguard (Paladin), Vampire, and Assassin (Executioner). Any class may become a shadow class, however these are singled out for specific powers and abilities relevant to represent the new thematic and mechanical differences specific to this subclass. This may make many shadow class builds quite minor in changes, while others may have dramatic reworkings which fundamentally change how they operate. Notably, the Necromancer and Shadow Priest have fundamental reworkings to how the class operates, while the Dark Knight, Dark Rogue and Shadow Lord have relatively small overall changes. Finally, the Death Knight is an entirely brand new Class, which can be treated as a unique shadow class by itself, and is a melee striker who utilizes secondary pets to deal extra damage. Demon Hunters may also be treated as Shadow classes, however they do not change their damage type.

Feats

Certain feats are available to shadow classes, and some are available to all shadow classes. Shadow classes can learn the "Life Siphon" and "Shadow Cantrips" feat in particular, which allow Shadow classes to deal damage, and to use wizard cantrips or cantrips like wizard cantrips built just for them. Shadow classes are built on versatility and expanding powers, so these new feats and build option frequently offer capabilities outside of what their ordinary class is capable of. These include the following lists of powers.

Heroic

Familiar (Ranger or Warlock)
Requirement: Ranger or Warlock
Benefit: You may replace your hunter's quarry or warlock's curse ability with the familiar feat, which provides a pet that can deal an equiviliant amount of damage to your hunter's quarry and warlock's curse feat instead. For a list of available Familiar's, see the Familiar (4e Feat).

Shadow Cantrips
Requirement: Shadow Class
Benefit: You may now learn wizard cantrips, and can choose two of any wizard cantrips normally available to wizards to learn. You may take this feat multiple times, and learn multiple wizard cantrips. In addition, you may chose from one of many potential shadow cantrips, as well as any of the wizard cantrips available when taking this power. You also gain the "Shadow puppet" shadow cantrip power, if you have not ability trained in this feat. For a list of starting wizard cantrips, see player's Handbook 1.

Shadow Powers

Shadow classes can often replace their various class powers with new powers of various types. In addition to class specific powers, such as those found in the Heroes of Shadow Rulebook, you may also add in universal shadow powers that any class can take from the following list of powers, replacing an equivalent power of the same type from their class or lower. Examples of these powers include

Shadow Paragon Path

Like certain shadow feats and powers, all shadow classes gain access to a unique Shadow Paragon Path, which they may choose to gain at the appropriate level.

Shadow Class list

The following is a list of the various shadow class changes, and their specific changes to powers or class features. Any class can become a shadow class and have only basic rudimentary changes, however these shadow class subtypes builds more heavily upon the class type, and some offer not only new powers, but new class features which replace older class features.

Death Knight (New 4e Class)

The Death Knight (4e Class) is an entirely new class for 4e, which is a melee striker which utilizes minions to deal extra damage equal to a Warlock's curse or Hunter's Quarry damage, and can be treated as a Shadow class in and of itself.

Necromancer (Warlock)

The Necromancer, Necromancer, Warlock (4e Class Variant) class is based on the warlock, but utilizes dexterity for it's secondary damage and can either utilize minions or a hex-blade in order to deal damage with it's attacks. At melee range or with certain minions, the damage is unusually high in comparison to standard Warlocks. In all cases, they utilize a minion to deal extra damage.

Shadow Hunter (Ranger)

The Shadow hunter shares all the same standard features of the Shadow hunter. Instead of Hunter's Quarry, you may choose to gain the Shadow Hunter class feature, which gives you the familiar feat as a bonus feat, that replaces your hunter's quarry with a pet that does an equivalent amount of damage and has extra abilities. You also learn 1 wizard cantrip from the wizard's class cantrips, found in Player's Handbook 1, if you choose this option. In addition, you gain access to several shadow powers that only Shadow Hunters can receive.

Ulfsark (Barbarian)

The Ulfsark, or Wolf Barbarian, replaces the X build in the Barbarian. An Ulfsark is a mad-raving type of Barbarian, who focuses on wolf based powers and abilities, and who is animated by the power of the wolf.

Dark Knight (Fighter)

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