While some heroes speak to gods or consort with otherworldly muses, shamans commune with the spirits of the world and the energies that exist in every living thing. These divine adventurers draw upon their power to shape the world and expand the influence of their spiritual patrons. Shamans have strong ties to natural spirits. They form powerful bonds with particular spirits, and as their power grows they learn to call upon other spirits in times of need.
Role
Shamans make for potent divine spellcasters, capable of using divine spells and the power of their spirits to aid their allies and destroy their foes. While they aren't the healers that clerics are, they can fill that role when needed.
Parent Classes
Starting Wealth
3d6 × 10 gp (average 105 gp).
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Spells per Day | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | ||||||
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Orisons, spirit, spirit animal, spirit magic | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Hex | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3rd | +2 | +1 | +1 | +3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th | +3 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Hex, wandering spirit | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5th | +3 | +1 | +1 | +4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 6th | +4 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Wandering hex | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7th | +5 | +2 | +2 | +5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 8th | +6/+1 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Hex, spirit (greater) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9th | +6/+1 | +3 | +3 | +6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
| 10th | +7/+2 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Hex | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 11th | +8/+3 | +3 | +3 | +7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | |
| 12th | +9/+4 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Hex, wandering spirit (greater) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 13th | +9/+4 | +4 | +4 | +8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| 14th | +10/+5 | +4 | +4 | +9 | Wandering hex (2 hexes) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — |
| 15th | +11/+6/+1 | +5 | +5 | +9 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| 16th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +5 | +10 | Hex, spirit (true) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 17th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +5 | +10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| 18th | +13/+8/+3 | +6 | +6 | +11 | Hex | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 19th | +14/+9/+4 | +6 | +6 | +11 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| 20th | +15/+10/+5 | +6 | +6 | +12 | Hex, manifestation, wandering spirit (true) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Class Skills
The shaman's class skills are Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Fly (Dex), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Knowledge (planes) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), and Survival (Wis).
Skill Ranks per Level
4 + Int modifier.
Class Features
The following are the class features of the shaman.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies
A shaman is proficient with all simple weapons as well as with light armor and medium armor.
Spells
A shaman casts divine spells drawn from the shaman spell list. A shaman must choose and prepare her spells in advance.
To prepare or cast a spell, a shaman must have a Wisdom score equal to at least 10 + the spell's level. The saving throw DC against a shaman's spell is 10 + the spell's level + the shaman's Wisdom modifier.
Like other spellcasters, a shaman can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. Her base daily spell allotment is given on the table above. In addition, she receives a number of bonus spells per day if she has a high Wisdom score.
Shamans commune with their spirit animals to prepare their spells. Each shaman must choose a time when she spends 1 hour each day in quiet contemplation with her spirit animal to regain her daily allotment of spells. A shaman can prepare and cast any spell on the shaman spell list, provided that she can cast spells of that level, but she must choose which spells to prepare during her daily communion.
Orisons
Shamans can prepare a number of orisons, or 0-level spells, each day as noted on the table above. These spells are cast like any other spell, but they are not expended when cast and may be used again.
A shaman has a mystical connection with the spirits of the world. She forms a lasting bond with a single spirit, which grants a number of abilities and defines many of her other class features.
At 1st level, a shaman gains the spirit ability granted by her chosen spirit. She adds the spells granted by that spirit to the list of spells that she can cast using spirit magic. She also adds the hexes possessed by that spirit to the list of hexes that she can use with the hex and wandering hex class features.
At 8th level, the shaman gains the abilities given for the greater version of her selected spirit. At 16th level, the shaman gains the abilities given for the true version of her selected spirit.
If the shaman takes levels in another class that grants a mystery (such as the oracle), her spirit and her mystery must match. Subject to GM discretion, the shaman can change her previously selected mystery or spirit to make both conform.
At 1st level, a shaman forms a close bond with a spirit animal tied to her chosen spirit. This animal is her conduit to the spirit world, guiding her along the path to enlightenment. The animal also aids a shaman by granting her a special ability.
A shaman must commune with her spirit animal each day to prepare her spells. While the spirit animal does not store the spells as a witch's familiar does, the spirit animal serves as her conduit to divine power. If a shaman's spirit animal is slain, she cannot prepare new spells or use her spirit magic class feature until the spirit animal is replaced.
A shaman can spontaneously cast a limited number of spells per day beyond those she prepared ahead of time. She has one spell slot per day of each shaman spell level she can cast, not including orisons. She can choose these spells from the list of spells granted by her spirits (see the spirit class feature and the wandering spirit class feature) at the time she casts them. She can enhance these spells using any metamagic feat that she knows, using up a higher-level spell slot as required by the feat and increasing the time to cast the spell (see Spontaneous Casting and Metamagic Feats).
Hex
A shaman learns a number of magical tricks, called hexes, which grant her powers or weaken her foes. At 2nd level, a shaman learns one hex. At 4th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, 18th, and 20th levels, the shaman learns a new hex. A shaman can select from any of the following hexes or from any of the hexes listed in the description of her chosen spirit. Unless otherwise noted, a shaman cannot select a hex more than once.
Using a hex is a standard action that doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity unless otherwise noted. The saving throw DC to resist a hex is equal to 10 + 1/2 the shaman's level + the shaman's Wisdom modifier.
A shaman can chant as a move action. Any creature within 30 feet that is under the effect of the shaman's charm, evil eye, fortune, fury, or misfortune hex has that effect's duration extended by 1 round. A shaman cannot select both this hex and the witch's cackle hex.
A shaman charms an animal or a humanoid creature within 30 feet by beckoning to it and speaking soothing words. Doing this improves the attitude of an animal or humanoid creature by 1 step, as if the shaman had successfully used the Diplomacy skill. The effect lasts for a number of rounds equal to the shaman's Wisdom modifier (minimum 1). A successful Will saving throw negates this effect. Whether or not the save is successful, the creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 24 hours. At 8th level, this effect improves the attitude of the creature by two steps. This is a mind-affecting charm effect.
Evil Eye
The shaman causes doubt to creep into the mind of a foe within 30 feet that she can see. The target takes a –2 penalty on one of the following (shaman's choice): ability checks, AC, attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks. This hex lasts for a number of rounds equal to 3 + the shaman's Wisdom modifier. A successful Will saving throw reduces this duration to just 1 round. At 8th level, the penalty changes to –4. This is a mind-affecting effect.
The shaman receives Craft Wondrous Item as a bonus feat and gains a +4 insight bonus on Spellcraft checks to identify magic items.
The shaman grants a creature within 30 feet a bit of good luck for 1 round. The target can call upon this good luck once per round, allowing it to reroll any ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, taking the better result. The target creature must decide to use this benefit before the first roll is made. At 8th and 16th levels, the duration of this hex increases by 1 round. Once a creature has benefited from the fortune hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours.
Fury
A shaman incites a creature within 30 feet into a primal fury. The target receives a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls and a +2 resistance bonus on saving throws against fear for a number of rounds equal to the shaman's Wisdom modifier. At 8th and 16th levels, these bonuses increase by 1. Once a creature has benefited from the fury hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours.
A shaman soothes the wounds of those she touches. This hex acts as cure light wounds, using the shaman's caster level. Once a creature has benefited from the healing hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours. At 5th level, this hex acts as cure moderate wounds.
The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to suffer grave misfortune for 1 round. Anytime the creature attempts an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll twice and take the worse result. A successful Will saving throw negates this hex. At 8th level and again at 16th level, the duration of this hex increases by 1 round. This hex affects all rolls the target must make while it lasts. Whether or not the save is successful, the creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 24 hours.
The shaman receives one metamagic feat as a bonus feat. The shaman must meet the prerequisites for the feat.
The shaman transforms herself into another form, as per alter self, for a number of minutes per day equal to her level. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments. Changing form (including changing back) is a standard action that doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity. At 8th level, this hex works as beast shape i. At 12th level, this hex works as beast shape ii. At 16th level, this hex works as beast shape iii. At 20th level, this hex works as beast shape iv.
The shaman understands any spoken language, as per comprehend languages, for a number of minutes per day equal to her level. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments. At 5th level, a shaman can use this hex to speak any language, as tongues.
Ward
The shaman places a protective ward over one creature. The warded creature receives a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saving throws. This effect lasts until the warded creature is hit or fails a saving throw. A shaman knows when a warded creature is no longer protected. A shaman can have only one ward active at a time. If the shaman uses this hex while a previous ward is still active, that previous ward immediately ends. A shaman cannot use this hex on herself. At 8th and 16th levels, the bonuses provided by this ward increase by 1.
Witch Hex
The shaman selects any one hex normally available through the witch's hex class feature. She treats her shaman level as her witch level when determining the powers and abilities of the hex. She uses her Wisdom modifier in place of her Intelligence modifier for the hex. The shaman cannot select a major hex, a grand hex, or a witch hex that has the same name as a shaman hex.
At 4th level, a shaman can form a temporary bond with a spirit other than the one she selected using her spirit class feature. She must make this selection each day when preparing her spells. While this feature is active, she gains the spirit ability granted by the spirit. She adds the spells granted by that spirit to her list of spells that she can cast using spirit magic. She does not add the hexes gained from her wandering spirit to her list of hexes that she can choose from with the hex class feature. At 12th level, she gains the abilities given for the greater version of her wandering spirit. At 20th level, she gains the ability given for the true version of her wandering spirit.
Wandering Hex
At 6th level, a shaman can temporarily gain the use of one of the hexes possessed by either one of her spirits. She must make this selection each day when she prepares her spells. For the purpose of this ability, she can select any hex possessed by her spirit or wandering spirit. If she selects a hex from her wandering spirit and then bonds with another spirit, she loses the hex immediately, although she can then select a different hex to gain using this ability, from either her spirit or her new wandering spirit. At 14th level, a shaman can select two wandering hexes each day instead of one. This ability otherwise functions as the hex class feature.
Upon reaching 20th level, a shaman undergoes a transformation as she manifests as a pinnacle of her main spirit. The nature of this manifestation depends on the shaman's spirit, and is described in the spirit's entry.
Spirits
Each shaman must select from the following spirits. Unless otherwise noted, the DC to save against the special abilities granted by a spirit is equal to 10 + 1/2 the shaman's level + the shaman's Wisdom modifier.
Battle
A shaman who selects the battle spirit gains scars from every wound she takes, and the grit of battle always seems to cling to her body. When she calls upon one of this spirit's abilities, she grows in stature—becoming taller and more muscular, with a grimace of rage stretching across her face.
Spirit Magic Spells
Enlarge person (1st), fog cloud (2nd), magic vestment (3rd), wall of fire (4th), righteous might (5th), mass bull's strength (6th), control weather (7th), earthquake (8th), storm of vengeance (9th).
Hexes
A shaman who chooses the battle spirit can select from the following hexes.
The shaman makes an extra attack of opportunity each round. This ability stacks with the attacks of opportunity granted by the Combat Reflexes feat. At 8th level, the shaman gains the Weapon Specialization feat for a weapon of her choice as a bonus feat. At 16th level, the shaman gains the Greater Weapon Focus feat as a bonus feat, for the same weapon chosen for Weapon Specialization. The shaman doesn't need to meet the prerequisites of these feats.
The shaman touches a willing creature (including herself) and grants a battle ward. The next time a foe makes an attack roll against the target, the ward activates and grants a +3 deflection bonus to the warded creature's AC. Each subsequent time the warded creature is attacked, the defection bonus decreases by 1 (to +2 for the second time and +1 for the third). The ward fades when the bonus is reduced to +0 or after 24 hours, whichever comes first. At 8th level, the ward's starting bonus increases to +4. At 16th level, it increases to +5. A creature affected by this hex cannot be affected by it again for 24 hours.
The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to take more damage from bleed effects and causes its wounds to heal at a slower rate. When the cursed creature takes bleed damage, it takes an additional 1 point of bleed damage (even if the bleed is ability damage). Furthermore, when the target is subject to an effect that would restore its hit points, that effect restores only half the normal amount of hit points. This curse lasts for a number of rounds equal to the shaman's level. A creature affected by this hex cannot be affected by it again for 24 hours.
Eyes of Battle
The shaman's senses become magically heightened in the heat of battle. As a swift action, she can grant herself a +10 insight bonus for 1 round on Perception checks made to notice and pinpoint invisible creatures within 30 feet. She can instead use this ability as a swift action to ignore the effects of cover or partial cover (but not total cover) on her next attack, as long as that attack is made before the end of her next turn. The shaman can use this ability a number of times per day equal to her shaman level.
The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to take a –2 penalty to AC and CMD for a number of rounds equal to the shaman's level. A successful Will saving throw decreases this duration to just 1 round. At 8th level, the penalty becomes –4. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature affected by a hampering hex cannot be the target of this hex again for 24 hours.
The shaman's spirit animal looks like a fiercer version of its species, with rippling muscles and a stockier frame. It gains a +2 natural armor bonus to AC. If it already has a natural armor bonus, the bonus increases by 2 instead.
Spirit Ability
A shaman who chooses the battle spirit as her spirit or wandering spirit gains the following ability.
A shaman surrounds herself with the spirit of battle. Allies within 30 feet of the shaman (including the shaman herself) receive a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level and again at 16th level, these bonuses increase by 1. The shaman can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Greater Spirit Ability
A shaman who chooses the battle spirit as her spirit or wandering spirit gains the following ability upon having access to the greater version of that spirit.
As a swift action, the shaman imbues a single weapon she's wielding with the bane weapon special ability, choosing the type of creature affected each time she does. The effect lasts for 1 minute. If the weapon already has the bane weapon special ability of the type chosen, the additional damage dealt by bane increases to 4d6. The shaman can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier.
True Spirit Ability
A shaman who chooses the battle spirit as her spirit or wandering spirit gains the following ability upon having access to the true version of that spirit.
As a standard action, the shaman assumes a form that combines the effects of enlarge person and deadly juggernaut for 1 minute or until dismissed. The shaman can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier.
Upon reaching 20th level, the shaman becomes a spirit of battle. As a full-round action, she can make a full attack and move up to her speed (either before or after the attacks). Whenever she scores a critical hit, the attack ignores damage reduction. She gains a +4 insight bonus to AC for the purpose of confirming critical hits against her. If she is reduced to fewer than 0 hit points, she does not die until her negative hit point total exceeds double her Constitution score.
Bones
A shaman who selects the bones spirit is cadaverously thin, with sunken eye sockets and dead eyes that stare off into the distance. Her body has a faint smell of the grave. When she calls upon one of this spirit's abilities, a ghostly wind whips her hair and clothes about, and the unpleasant stench becomes more prominent.
Spirit Magic Spells
Cause fear (1st), false life (2nd), animate dead (3rd), fear (4th), slay living (5th), circle of death (6th), control undead (7th), horrid wilting (8th), wail of the banshee (9th).
Hexes
A shaman who chooses the bones spirit can select from the following hexes.
Flame
A shaman who selects the flame spirit has a radiant light behind her eyes and the faint smell of smoke about her. When she calls upon one of this spirit's abilities, a hungry spectral flame dances around her body.
By communing with the incredible powers of her spirit, the shaman forges a cherished bond with one specific servant of that spirit, known as a spirit animal. A spirit animal is a creature chosen by a shaman to serve as a conduit, allowing her to more fully access the magic of her spirit on a daily basis. The shaman's spirit animal also grants her special powers. This ability uses the same rules as the wizard's arcane bond class feature, and the animal is treated as a familiar, except as noted below.
A shaman uses her shaman level as her effective wizard level when determining the abilities of her spirit animal. A shaman can select any familiar available to wizards to serve as her spirit animal, although her spirit animal is augmented by the power of her chosen spirit. Once selected, the spirit animal cannot be changed. Although a shaman's spirit animal uses the statistics of a specific animal, it is treated as an outsider with the native subtype for the purposes of spells and abilities that affect it.
Levels of different classes that are entitled to gain familiars stack with shaman levels for the purpose of determining any spirit animal abilities that depend on the shaman's level. If a shaman possesses such levels in other classes, her spirit animal always uses the shaman rules for spirit animals, not those used for familiars of other classes (such as witches, wizards, or sorcerers with the arcane bloodline). If the shaman has witch levels, her spirit animal also serves as the conduit to her patron and stores her witch spells. The shaman's spirit animal is treated as a familiar for the purposes of all spells, effects, and abilities that affect familiars.
If a spirit animal is lost or dies, it can be replaced after 24 hours through a special ritual that consumes material components worth 500 gp per shaman level. The ritual takes 8 hours to complete. The new spirit animal must be the same kind of creature as the previous one.