Base Class: Ranger
In the endless shadows of the Underdark, horrors lurk that few have ever seen—and even fewer have survived. Shadowstalker are those who have learned to face these deadly threats and thrive in the darkness, where light and hope have all but faded.
Born of necessity and honed in the struggle for sheer survival, they roam the shadowy caverns, forgotten tunnels, and black rivers beneath the earth with unwavering resolve. Their senses are attuned to life in the dark, their minds as alert as their blades are lethal. Where others freeze in fear, Shadowstalker strike like shadows—swift and silent, vanishing just as quickly.
Whether wandering as refugees from the demon hordes, hunting sinister creatures, or guarding ancient secrets in solitude, Shadowstalker embody the blade of the night. They know the dangers of the Abyss better than any other and use the darkness to their advantage, even as madness and ruin rage around them.
Level 3: Dread Ambusher
You have mastered the art of striking from the darkness and shaping shadows into deadly weapons.
You can give yourself a bonus to your Initiative rolls equal to your Wisdom modifier. At the start of your first turn of each combat, your Speed increases by 10 feet until the end of that turn.
Your connection to darkness grants you supernatural awareness within it.
In addition, you are aware of the location of any creature within 60 feet of you that is in Darkness, provided that creature isn’t behind Total Cover.
You are also adept at evading creatures that rely on sight. While entirely in Darkness, you have the Invisible condition with respect to any creature that relies on sight to perceive you. This benefit doesn’t prevent a creature from perceiving you through senses that don’t rely on sight, such as Blindsight or Tremorsense.
Level 3: Shadowstalker Spells
When you reach a Ranger level specified in the Shadowstalker Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.
| Ranger Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | Disguise Self |
| 5 | Rope Trick |
| 9 | Fear |
| 13 | Greater Invisibility |
| 17 | Seeming |
Dark Energy
You harbor a wellspring of dark energy within yourself. It is represented by your Dark Energy Dice, which fuel certain powers you have from this subclass. The Shadowstalker Energy Dice table shows the number of these dice you have when you reach certain Ranger levels, and the table shows the die size.
| Ranger Level | Die Size | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | D4 | 4 |
| 5 | D6 | 6 |
| 9 | D6 | 8 |
| 11 | D8 | 8 |
| 13 | D8 | 10 |
| 17 | D10 | 12 |
Any features in this subclass that use a Dark Energy Die use only the dice from this subclass. Some of your powers expend a Dark Energy Die, as specified in a power’s description, and you can’t use a power if it requires you to use a die when your Dark Energy Dice are all expended.
You regain one of your expended Dark Energy Dice when you finish a Short Rest, and you regain all of them when you finish a Long Rest.
Power of Darkness.When you fail a d20 Test other than an attack roll, you can expend one Dark Energy Die, roll it, and add the number rolled to the d20, potentially turning the failure into a success.The Dark Energy Die is expended when you roll it.
Shadow Blades. You can shape your Dark Energy into weapons of solid shadow. Whenever you make an attack as part of the Attack action, you can manifest a Shadow Blade in your free hand and make the attack with it. The blade vanishes immediately after the attack.
Weapon Category: Simple Melee
Damage on a Hit: 1d6 Force plus the ability modifier used for the attack roll
Properties: Finesse, Light, Thrown (range 60/120 feet)
Mastery: Nick (you can use this property, and it doesn’t count against the number of properties you can use with Weapon Mastery)
The blade vanishes immediately after it hits or misses its target, and it leaves no mark if it deals damage.
Level 7: Iron Mind
Your unshakable will and sharpened instincts grant you exceptional freedom of action. You gain proficiency in Strength saving throws.
In addition, on each of your turns, you can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Level 11: Stalker’s Flurry
Once per round, when you make an attack roll with a weapon, you can roll one Dark Energy Die and add the number rolled to the attack roll. You can do so after rolling the d20 but before the outcome is determined. Alternatively, when you hit a creature with a weapon, you can expend one Dark Energy Die and add the number rolled to the attack's damage roll. A Dark Energy Die used in either way is expended.
Level 15: Shadowy Dodge
When a creature makes an attack roll against you, you can take a Reaction to impose Disadvantage on that roll. Whether the attack hits or misses, you can then teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see.