Shadow Master and + to skills question

[MichelRPG]

I know that the Shadows gain more powerful attacks if they decide to use skills you yourself have points in. But I was wondering about this...

I have a trapsin, with no martial arts. What if I have say, +5 to MA skills on, and I would put a single point in say, Tiger Strike, giving it a total of +6 Tiger Strike. If my Shadow Master would use tiger strike, would she only gain the bonus of my base skill level (1) or would she gain the bonus of my total skill level (which would be 6).

I'm very curious about this since I may or may not max out my lightning traps damage based on this answer.

[Scudstorm]

It's not worth it to do that even if it works that way. You should max out your lightning traps damage.

[Ceramic Weasel]

Yes, i'm pretty sure that your total skill level is counted when calculating your Shadow's skill levels, but it uses the typical averaging formula (shadow_lvl + skill_lvl)/2.

Of course, Scud is right in that it's not worth sacrificing your own skills trying to optimise your Shadow's skills.

[MichelRPG]

I know that. But this char is more of a "fun" trapsin than a serious one anyway.

[tattertot]

i am at a loss for words here...why do people think shadow master (or warrior for that matter) is worth placing skill points into? :scratchhead:

especially for a trapsin, that does not make too much sense. SM loves to cast traps and, 5 is the max you can have out and that includes any traps shadow master decides to throw out (a real bother if your setting traps for boss kills or the like).

even the stickied guides here say to max SM. it boggles the mind, it really does. i myself once made an assassin with max to shadow master and it really was not that great...even with a 36 skill.

sure it rocked in normal/nightmare modes but in hell it gave a rather lackluster performance. it was fine when fighting in open areas with spread out mobs, but when i got mobbed in small areas, (most fights in hell) SM wasnt too effective. at best it kept the mobs away from my merc, but i dont think that is really worth the 20 pts.

honestly bro, speaking from personal experience, i'd say you are better off putting those points elsewhere, even if you are just playing around for fun.

[Sass]

As for traps, she synergizes with a higher level trap than you can. Most of the time, it's the warrior people'd max (often for this reason).

Her traps are more powerful if you use her right.

Also there's the tank part, but she isn't a grizzly and you can't expect her to tank hell ;) She's often a distraction.

[SeCKSEgai]

As for traps, she synergizes with a higher level trap than you can. Most of the time, it's the warrior people'd max (often for this reason).

Her traps are more powerful if you use her right.

Also there's the tank part, but she isn't a grizzly and you can't expect her to tank hell ;) She's often a distraction.

If I remember correctly, she synergizes every time she lays a trap, so technically speaking warriors are easier to do this with since you have that control - however if she dies, you have to synergize all over.

Even with heavy investment into the shadow, there still are limitations. While its possible for them to become immune to one or more elements, you'll want to share tanking responsibility with your merc to insure much greater survivability. Otherwise, she's just a recastable tank for distraction (which in fact is how she can be used even when she can tank well).