Spirit Shaman build

[clean_slate]

Hello BGTSCC community.

My interest for the game and the server was rekindled by this interesting new update, and I was mulling over creating my long time desire - Spirit Shaman.

I understand that Hierophant has been added to the server, and there is an interesting ability which improves upon negative energy damage spells from the druid's spell list. I was wondering if this route would be viable for a Spirit Shaman (which is frankly probably the worst base class, IMO).

But I will consider other options as well. Anything to make at least half decent build (I'd also like him to be able to hold his own in PvP - I know he won't be a world beater but I don't want to have to run from every conflict).

Thanks!!

[chad878262]

Spirit Shaman is not a "power-build" class, but I wouldn't say it is the 'weakest' class either... Suffers from same issue as FS in regards to 'caster' build in that it uses CHA to cast spells/spells per day, but WIS for DC of spells.

Anyway, yes the Hierophant class was specifically designed to benefit casters! Not sure if they've addressed the issue of Lore requirement yet (it was requiring 15 in Lore:Religion which Druid/Spirit Shaman cannot attain and still reach 3b20 rule). If you can get a build w/ 16 or 17 CHA (+3 item to allow 9th level spells) and max WIS. Obviously Aasimar is the best race mechanically due to this, but really any race should be doable with decent DC's. Owl's Insight and various Hierophant abilities can really help here as well.

Edited: thanks AIB for correcting/clarifying the DC issue.

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

Actually I believe that Spirit Shaman uses Charisma for DCs, and Wisdom for access to spells. That's also the problem, because it makes Owl's Insight useless for her, and Spirit Shaman doesn't even have Eagle's Splendor in her spellbook.

[Rhifox]

Spirit shaman is really not that bad. I'm using a poorly optimized shaman build and I do quite alright.

You can go Hierophant with SS, but only the spell power and negative energy/cure boost feats give something for SS. All of the other feats are only useful for clerics (and a couple for druids). And the issue with the negative energy thing is that SS does not have too many negative energy damage spells that can benefit from it. You don't get any inflicts. There's Slay Living, Harm, and Finger of Death, and that's about it for negative energy dps spells.

The biggest issue I see with going Hierophant is that it kills your companion progression. There's no point in taking Telthor if you decide to go with a Hiero build, since you have -13 companion progression levels that way. With Natural Bond and Epic Companion you can push that to only -7 progression, but that leaves your companion in the low teens.

Would it be viable? Sure. I think it'd be actually pretty strong in pvp even because you'll get some good DCs/damage with Finger of Death and Drown by going Hiero. PvE will be a bit more tricky.

The lore requirement is fine, shamans do get Lore: Religion.

Actually I believe that Spirit Shaman uses Charisma for DCs, and Wisdom for access to spells. That's also the problem, because it makes Owl's Insight useless for her, and Spirit Shaman doesn't even have Eagle's Splendor in her spellbook.

I really really don't understand why the druid spell list doesn't get cunning/splendor. It makes no sense to me.

And frankly shamans using the druid spell list makes no sense either, but WotC was lazy and didn't feel like making a shaman-specific spell list in 3.5.

[Uranus]

Dont worry about the companion. You can still use it for RP. Even if you get an animal companion with full progression, the AI is so stupid that is still better to use it for RP only and save the spells you use to buff it. For tactics you can use summons just as well.

A couple of builds that can make a powerful SS are SS10/Hospitaler10/Hierophant10 or SS10/cleric3(preferably with the water domain)Hierophant10. Or even a combination of all 4 classes.

Necromancy is always a good school to specialise in and with nice spells. Conjuration can work nicely as well.

[metaquad4]

Here are a couple builds I made a while ago, which I was quite pleased to note turned out fairly well. Not really hierophant builds (I have a bit of beef with that class in a none-cleric capacity. It can be good for them, but for SS and Druid, a more pure route is a better option for a caster imo.), but they do the casting job quite well. You should be able to tear most of the server apart with the DCs available.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?227720 - SS 26/Paladin 4


http://nwn2db.com/build/?229464 -SS 27/Blackguard 3
(The better of the two)