Shape Dancer (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

Shape dancer is master of assuming and using other shapes.

Introduction

The shape dancer is the ultimate shapechanger. Shape dancers have a close association with fantastic creatures and may have their gifts from an encounter or heritage from of such creatures. Most shapedancers feel a special affinity for certain shapes or for a specific kind of shapeshifter, and prefer to assume such forms, but as they advance they generally broaden their focus to assume numerous amazing shapes.

In addition to the shapechange abilities of an alchemist, shape dancers have an eidolon form, an alter-ego somewhat like a summoner's eidolon. They learn to assume this form at any time, change this form, and to use other polymorph spells to alter this form further.

Class Information

This is an alternate class to the classic summoner (not the unchained summoner) that shifts their own shape instead of summoning other creatures.

Class Skills

Acrobatics (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int ), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Fly (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skill points per level: 4 + Int mod.

Class Features

This is all of the class features of the shape dancer.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Shape dancers are proficient with all simple weapons. Shape dancers are also proficient with light armor. A shape dancer can cast shape dancer spells while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a shape dancer wearing medium or heavy armor, or using a shield, incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A multiclass shape dancer still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Spells

Table: Shape Dancer
Spells Known

Level	Spells Known
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th
1	2	—	—	—	—	—
2	3	—	—	—	—	—
3	4	—	—	—	—	—
4	4	2	—	—	—	—
5	4	3	—	—	—	—
6	4	3	—	—	—	—
7	5	4	2	—	—	—
8	5	4	3	—	—	—
9	5	4	4	—	—	—
10	5	4	4	2	—	—
11	6	4	4	3	—	—
12	6	4	4	4	—	—
13	6	4	5	4	2	—
14	6	4	5	4	3	—
15	6	4	5	4	4	—
16	6	4	5	5	4	2
17	6	5	6	5	4	3
18	6	5	6	5	4	4
19	6	5	6	5	5	4
20	6	5	5	5	5	5

A shape dancer casts arcane spells drawn from the alchemist spell list. These are arcane spells, not elixirs, they are cast like regular summoner spells. A shape dancer has no level zero spells. A shape dancer can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time. A shape dancer can only cast spells on himself; all shape dancer spells have a range of personal. There is no equivalent of the infusion discovery that allows shape dancers to affect others with their spells. Spells that affect alchemist abilities the shape dancer does not have, such as bombs or discoveries, are not on the shape dancer's spell list. In addition, add the following spells to the shape dancer's spell list at the indicated levels: 1st—life conduit, rejuvenate eidolon (lesser). 2nd—evolution surge (lesser). 3rd—aspect of the stag, evolution surge, life conduit (improved), rejuvenate eidolon. 4th—blessing of the salamander, evolution surge (greater). 5th—geniekind, life conduit (greater), rejuvenate eidolon (greater). 6th—frightful aspect.

To learn or cast a spell, a shape dancer must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. A shape dancer can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level each day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table: Shape Dancer. In addition, he gains bonus spells per day if he has a high Charisma score (see Table: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells).

A shape dancer’s selection of spells is limited. A shape dancer begins play knowing two 1st-level spells of the shape dancer’s choice. At each new shape dancer level, he gains one or more new spells as indicated on Table: Shape Dancer Spells Known. (Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a shape dancer knows is not affected by his Charisma score. The numbers on Table: Shape Dancer Spells Known are fixed.) Upon reaching 4th level, and at every third shape dancer level thereafter (7th, 10th, and so on), a shape dancer can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows. In effect, the shape dancer “loses” the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell’s level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged. A shape dancer can swap out only a single spell at any given level and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that he gains new spells known.

A shape dancer doesn’t need to prepare his spells in advance. He can cast any spell he knows at any time, assuming he has not yet used up his allotment of spells per day for the level.

Eidolon Form (Su)

As a standard action a shape dancer can assume the form of a powerful magical beast, an eidolon, or return to his normal shape. This is a transmutation (polymorph) effect and cannot be used along with other transmutation (polymorph) effects or with effects that alter the shape dancer's size category. The shape dancer assumes the eidolon form's shape and abilities. This is a variant of the summoner's eidolon ability and works with other abilities like transmogrify that work on an eidolon, except as noted. While using eidolon form, the shape dancer loses the benefits of any armor worn. The shape dancer can use all of his own abilities and gear, except for armor. To cast spells with somatic components, the eidolon form must have arms. Unlike a summoner's eidolon, the eidolon form is not a summoned creature, and cannot be banished, dismissed, or dispelled. If the shape dancer is killed, eidolon form immediately ends. The eidolon form’s physical appearance is up to the shape dancer, but it always appears as some sort of fantastical creature. This control is not fine enough to make the shape dancer appear like a specific creature.

A shape dancer in eidolon form receives a pool of evolution points based on the his class level, see Table: Eidolon Form, that can be used to give the eidolon form different abilities and powers. These evolutions are selected from the same list as those a summoners eidolon uses, ignoring all prerequisites based on base form, type, and subtype. Whenever the shape dancer gains a level, the number of points in this pool increases and the shape dancer can spend these points to change the abilities of his eidolon form. These choices are not set—the shape dancer can change them whenever he gains a level and through shape dance ability and the transmogrify spell. Unlike an eidolon, the eidolon form has no base form or base evolutions, not even the limbs the shape dancer has in his natural form; the evolutions indicated on Table: Eidolon Form are all the evolutions the eidolon form gets. The eidolon form cannot select any evolutions that are spell-like abilities, and can spend no more than one third of its evolution points on evolutions that are supernatural abilities. The shape dancer cannot apply the ability increase evolution to mental ability scores or the skilled evolution to skills with mental key attributes (Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma).

A shape dancer in eidolon form retains his alignment, type, and subtypes. The eidolon form uses the shape dancer's ability scores, modified by the eidolon form's evolutions and the Str/Dex bonuses from Table: Eidolon Form. As noted above, the shape dancer cannot apply the ability increase evolution to mental ability scores or the skilled evolution to skills with mental key attributes (Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma). He uses his own base attack bonus, base saves, feats, skill ranks, and class skills, modified by the eidolon form's attribute modifiers and size; the eidolon form has no skills, class skills, or feats of its own. He gains the eidolon form's armor bonus. The improved natural armor evolution improves the eidolons armor bonus, not its natural armor bonus. An eidolon form never has a natural armor bonus in itself, but can get one from spells and effects. He gains darkvision and a land speed of 20 ft. (As an option, the eidolon form can be aquatic, able to breathe water instead of air and replacing the land speed with a swim speed of 20 ft.)

Table: Eidolon Form

Level	Hit Points	Armor Bonus	Str/Dex Bonus	Evolution Pool	Max Attacks
1st	4	3	0	4	3
2nd	8	4	1	6	3
3rd	12	5	1	7	3
4th	16	6	1	9	4
5th	20	6	2	10	4
6th	24	7	2	12	4
7th	28	8	3	13	4
8th	32	9	3	15	4
9th	36	9	3	16	5
10th	40	10	4	18	5
11th	44	11	4	19	5
12th	48	12	5	21	5
13th	52	12	5	22	5
14th	56	13	5	24	6
15th	60	14	6	25	6
16th	64	15	6	27	6
17th	68	15	7	28	6
18th	72	16	7	30	6
19th	76	17	7	31	7
20th	80	18	8	33	7
Class Level: This is the character’s shape dancer level. Hit Points: This is the number of temporary hit points the eidolon form possesses. Armor Bonus: The number noted here is the eidolon form’s armor bonus. This is always armor and never natural armor. The improved natural armor evolution improves the eidolons armor bonus, not its natural armor bonus. Str/Dex Bonus: Add this modifier to the shape dancer's Strength and Dexterity scores in eidolon form. Some options available through the eidolon’s evolution pool might modify these scores. Evolution Pool: The value given in this column is the total number of points in the eidolon form’s evolution pool. Max. Attacks: This indicates the maximum number of attacks that the eidolon form is allowed to possess at the given level. If the eidolon form is at its maximum, it cannot take evolutions that grant additional attacks. Attacks made with weapons, including those granted by a high base attack bonus, are counted against this maximum.

While in eidolon form, the shape dancer gains temporary hit points equal to the eidolon form's hit points. These temporary hit points are persistent from one use of eidolon form to another. When these temporary hit points reach 0, the eidolon form ends. The shape dancer cannot use eidolon form again until he has used renew shape to restore his eidolon form's hit points. When the shape dancer is in eidolon form, the eidolon form’s temporary hit points can be restored with the rejuvenate shape ability, the life conduit and rejuvenate eidolon spells, and other effects that specifically restore eidolon hit points, but not by other means such as natural rest or cure spells. The temporary hit points can never exceed the eidolon form's starting hit points. Healing can still be used to restore the shape dancer's own hit points and remove conditions and effects, even when he is in eidolon form.

Renew Shape (Sp)

The shape dancer can fully restore the temporary hit points of his eidolon form with a 1-minute ritual. This ability can be used even if the eidolon form has been dispelled by reducing the temporary hit points to zero. Renew shape can be used once per day at 1st level, and one additional time per day for every four levels after the first.

Shielded Shape (Ex)

Whenever the shape dancer is in eidolon form, he gains a +2 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +2 circumstance bonus on Fortitude saving throws.

Shape Link (Su)

At 2nd level the shape dancer can use his own health to maintain his eidolon form. Whenever the eidolon form takes damage, as a reaction to the damage, the shape dancer can sacrifice any number of hit points he has without using an action. Each hit point sacrificed this way prevents 1 point of damage done to the eidolon (thus preventing the loss of the shape dancer's temporary hit points), preventing the eidolon form from being dispelled. It is often easier for the shape dancer's own hit points to be healed than it is to heal the eidolon form's temporary hit points.

Shapechanger Subtype (Ex)

At 3rd level the shape dancer becomes a natural shape changer and gains the shapechanger subtype. He can now use eidolon form as a move action.

Flexible Eidolon Form (Sp)

At 4th level the shape dancer can use one transmutation (polymorph) effect or one effect that change size category simultaneously with eidolon form, further transforming himself. He can only use one such effect at any time. When he does so, he loses darkvision and all evolutions that are exceptional abilities, except ability increase. He keeps the eidolon form's armor bonuses.

Shape Dance (Sp)

At 7th level, the shape dancer learns the shape dance ritual. This is the ability to alter the distribution of his eidolon form's evolution points, rebuilding it from the ground up, with the same base form. At 7th level, he can use this ability once per day as a part of his daily spell preparation ritual. At 11th level, he can use shape dance as a 15 minute ritual at any time, but still only once per day. At 15th level, he can use shape dance twice per day. The shape dancer must be in his natural form to perform the ritual. If the ritual is interrupted, the shape dancer cannot use eidolon form until he has successfully finished a shape dance ritual on a later attempt. A ritual that is interrupted does not count against the daily limit.

Aspect (Su)

At 6th level, a shape dancer can divert up to 2 points from his eidolon form form's evolution pool to add evolutions to his normal form. He cannot select any evolution that the eidolon form could not possess, and he must be able to meet the requirements as well. He cannot select the ability increase evolution through this ability. He need not confirm to the eidolon form's limitation on supernatural evolutions. Any points spent in this way are taken from the eidolon form's evolution pool. This reduces the number of points that can be spent on supernatural evolutions to a third of the remaining evolution points. The shape dancer can change the evolutions granted by these points anytime he can change the eidolon form's evolutions.

Extend Polymorph (Ex)

At 8th level, when the shape dancer casts a transmutation (polymorph) spell with a duration of 1 minute/level on himself, he can choose to extend the duration of that spell to 1 hour/level (D).

Greater Shape Dance (Su)

At 10th level the shape dancer can change his eidolon form's base form when using shape dance.

Greater Shielded Shape (Ex)

At 12th level, whenever the shape dancer is in eidolon form, he gains a +4 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +4 circumstance bonus on Fortitude saving throws.

Swift Eidolon Form (Su)

At 14th level the shape dancer can use eidolon form as a swift action.

Fast Shape Dance (Su)

At 16th level the shape dancer can use shape dance in one minute.

Greater Aspect (Su)

At 18th level, a shape dancer can divert more of his eidolon form's evolutions to his normal form. This ability functions as the aspect ability, but the maximum number of evolution points the shape dancer can divert increases to 6. In addition, the eidolon form loses 1 point from its evolution pool for every 2 points (or fraction thereof ) diverted to the shape dancer instead of losing 1 point from the evolution pool for each point diverted.

Shapechange (Sp)

At 19th level, the shape danger can use shapechange (sp) as a swift action. The shape dancer can use this ability a number of rounds per day equal to his class level.

Supreme Shielded Shape (Ex)

At 20th level, whenever the shape dancer is in eidolon form, he gains a +6 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +6 circumstance bonus on Fortitude saving throws.

Table: Shape Dancer

Class Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Spells per Day
						1	2	3	4	5	6
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Eidolon form, renew shape, shielded shape	1	—	—	—	—	—
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3	Shape link	2	—	—	—	—	—
3rd	+2	+1	+1	+3	Shapechanger subtype	3	—	—	—	—	—
4th	+3	+1	+1	+4	Flexible Eidolon Form	3	1	—	—	—	—
5th	+3	+1	+1	+4	Renew shape (2/day)	4	2	—	—	—	—
6th	+4	+2	+2	+5	Aspect	4	3	—	—	—	—
7th	+5	+2	+2	+5	Shape dance (spell prep)	4	3	1	—	—	—
8th	+6/+1	+2	+2	+6	Extrnd polymorph	4	4	2	—	—	—
9th	+6/+1	+3	+3	+6	Renew shape (3/day)	5	4	3	—	—	—
10th	+7/+2	+3	+3	+7	Greater shape dance	5	4	3	1	—	—
11th	+8/+3	+3	+3	+7	Shape dance (15 minutes)	5	4	4	2	—	—
12th	+9/+4	+4	+4	+8	Greater shielded shape	5	5	4	3	—	—
13th	+9/+4	+4	+4	+8	Renew shape (4/day)	5	5	4	3	1	—
14th	+10/+5	+4	+4	+9	Swift eidolon form	5	5	4	4	2	—
15th	+11/+6/+1	+5	+5	+9	Shape dance (2/day)	5	5	5	4	3	—
16th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+5	+10	Fast shape dance	5	5	5	4	3	1
17th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+5	+10	Renew shape (5/day)	5	5	5	4	4	2
18th	+13/+8/+3	+6	+6	+11	Greater aspect	5	5	5	5	4	3
19th	+14/+9/+4	+6	+6	+11	Shapechange	5	5	5	5	5	4
20th	+15/+10/+5	+6	+6	+12	Supreme shielded shape	5	5	5	5	5	5

Favored Class Bonuses

Instead of receiving an additional skill rank or hit point whenever they gain a level in a favored class, some races have the option of choosing from a number of other bonuses, depending upon their favored classes. The following options are available to each listed race. Unless otherwise stated the bonus applies each time you select the listed favored class reward. All these choices are available from level 1, even if they enhance an ability you only gain at a higher level. A favored race bonus that helps you qualify for a certain class ability means you get that particular class ability at an earlier level. Unless otherwise specified, the bonus applies in both natural and eidolon form.

• Dwarf: Add a +¼ armor bonus to the AC of the shape dancer’s eidolon form.
• Elf: Increase the elf's land speed by 1 ft. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Gnome: Add +1/2 to the gnome's effective caster level to qualify for and use all abilities with shape dance in the name. At an effective level of 21, 25, and 30, you gain an additional daily use of shape dance.
• Half-Elf: Add +1/5 to the eidolon form’s evolution pool.
• Half-Orc: Add +1 to the half-orc's effective Constitution to see if he is dead or dying.
• Halfling: Add +1/2 to your AC against attacks of opportunity triggered by casting spells.
• Human: Add one spell from your spell list to your spells known, spellbook, or familiar, as appropriate. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level you can cast.

• Aasimar: Add DR 1/evil to the shape dancer’s eidolon form. Each additional time the shape dancer selects this benefit, the DR/evil increases by +½ (maximum DR 10/evil). This DR stacks with DR/evil from evolutions.
• Android: Gain 1/6 additional daily use of nanite surge.
• Anpur: Gain a +1/2 bonus on Perception checks when in a graveyard, temple, or tomb.
• Asterion: +1 ft. to one movement rate of the shape dancer’s eidolon form. (+5 feet to one movement rate of the shape dancer’s eidolon form for every five times you select this option.)
• Avoodim: Add +1/4 to damage dealt to creatures with the outsider type.
• Catfolk: Add either 1/5 daily use to cat's luck, or add 1/5 of a new type of saving throw the ability can be applied to.
• Changeling: Add +1/5 evolution point to the changeling's eidolon form.
• Dhampir: Add +¼ point to damage of one of the eidolon form’s natural weapon attacks.
• Dhosari: Increase Strength by 1/2, but only for the purpose of Strength checks (not Str-based skill checks) and carrying weight.
• Dragonblood: Gain blindsense with a range of 1 ft. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Drow: Add a +1/2 bonus on Bluff checks to feint and pass secret messages.
• Duergar: Reduce the Hardness of any object made of clay stone, or metal by 1 whenever the object is struck by the shape dancer’s eidolon form’s natural weapons.
• Erkunae: Gain a +1/2 bonus on Use Magic Device checks.
• Eventual: Add 1 to the eventual's caster level, but only for the purpose of calculating spell duration.
• Fetchling: The shape dancer’s eidolon form gains resistance 1 against either cold or electricity. Each time the shape dancer selects this reward, he increases his eidolon form’s resistance to one of those energy types by 1 (maximum 10 for any one energy type).
• Gillman: Add +1 to the gillman's CMD when resisting two combat maneuvers of the character’s choice.
• Gnoll: Add 2 ft. to speed when taking the charge, double move, and withdraw actions. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Goblin: Add +1/6 evolution point to the eidolon form’s evolution pool. These bonus evolution points must be spent on evolutions that deal fire damage or protect the eidolon form from fire (for example, resistance, energy attacks, immunity, breath weapon, and so on). These extra points do not count towards the eidolon form's limit on supernatural abilities.
• Grippli: Add a +1/2 bonus on Stealth checks and Perception checks made in swamps and in shallow or deep bog terrain.
• Hobgoblin: Add +1 temporary hit point to the shape dancer’s eidolon form.
• Ifrit: Add +1/4 points of fire damage to the eidolon form's natural attacks.
• Kitsune: Gain scent with a range of 1 ft. This stacks with other scent abilities. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Kobold: Choose an energy type: acid, cold, electricity, or fire. This choice cannot be changed. Gain energy resistance 1 against the selected damage type.
• Lizardfolk: Add +1/5 to the lizardfolk's natural armor bonus. This becomes armor bonus in eidolon form.
• Merfolk: Add 1 ft. to swim speed. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Nagaji: Add +1 to the nagaji's CMD when resisting a grapple or trip attempt.
• Orc: Gain +1 bonus to damage when at 0 or fewer current hit points.
• Orcam: Gain a +1/2 dodge bonus against attacks of opportunity triggered by leaving an enemy's threatened space.
• Oread: Add +1 to the oread's acid resistance.
• Polkan: For 1 round per day the polkan can squeeze (reducing space to half) without taking any penalties. These rounds need not be consecutive.
• Qit'ar: Gain +1/4 to saves vs. mind-affecting spells and effects, and poison.
• Samsaran: Add +1/4 to the bonus of given by the samsarans lifebound ability.
• Shibaten: Add +1/4 to Bluff and Intimidate checks.
• Strix: Add a +3 ft. to the range of the strix's darkvision. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Sylph: Add +1 ft. to all of the speed of all moves of movement the sylph have a speed with. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Tengu: Gain a +1/2 bonus on critical hit confirmation rolls made with any one melee weapon listed under the tengu’s swordtrained ability (maximum bonus of +5). When the bonus reaches +5, the tengu can continue to spend points, gaining a bonus on confirmation rolls with all melee weapon listed under the tengu’s swordtrained ability. This bonus does not stack with those gained through Critical Focus and similar effects.
• Tiefling: Add 1/2 to the resistances gained from the theifling's fiendish resistance ability.
• Undine: Add +1 ft. to the undines's swim speed. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Vanara: Add a +1/2 bonus on all Acrobatics and Climb checks.
• Wayang: Add 3 ft. to the range of the wayang's darkvision. Always round this down to the nearest increment of 5 ft.
• Xesa: Add one spell from your spell list to your spells known, spellbook, or familiar, as appropriate. This spell must have the mind-affecting, polymorph, or poison descriptor.
• Zendiqi: Add +1/5 to the bonus from the infidel destroyers racial trait.
• Zif: Select 1/5 additional spell from the shell-caste magic racial trait.

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