Did they fix the Summon Shadow ability so it actually helps you in combat?
What do you mean? The shadow has PC's BAB and saves, and half HP, so it shouldn't be totally useless, and works as a STR-draining flanking buddy in any case.
*edit* Here's an interesting Shadowdancer path (I'm a sucker for synergic prereqs.) Hardly uber, or anything, but...
[spoiler]
Rogue 4; Evasion, Trapfinding 2, Trap Sense +1, Rogue talents: Rogue Finesse(snatches weapon finesse), combat feat(dodge),
Feats: mobility
Ranger 2; Track, Wild Empathy 2, Favored Enemy, Quick Draw //Could use anything full BAB - LG could even be paladin.
Duelist 4; Canny Defense 4, Precise Strike 4, +2 init, +4 vs. AoO, Combat Reflexes, +2 Reflex save.
Shadowdancer 10.
Rec. Feat paths:
- Cleave, and Great Cleave are skirmish feats, so you can do bomb attacks, especially with Lunge vs. mobs. Great Cleave as a Std. action, then HiPS away.
- STEALTH is your thing, so SF:Stealth and Stealthy at level 11 would be nice picks for a +7 Stealth, total.
- Surprisingly Spring Attack works well for you, as you can hide as a part of a move action, so you literally appear as you strike and vanish immediately afterwards - you can only be catched by prepared or immediate actions, really. You already have +8 AC vs. attacks of opportunity, anyway.
- I like the fluff of lightning stance and it's almost as good - or sometimes even better - as HiPS - it takes two move actions to set up, but during your Concealment round you can hide wherever you damn well please.... I dunno.
So, how good IS your stealth, really?
- starting DEX of 18, +5 levels, +6 item, +5 book, puts you at 34. Let's presume a mishap of some sort and only 30 DEX. That's +10.
- Skill is a total of 23. Add Focus and Stealthy, and you're at 50. Unfortunately you missed out on Rogue's Take Ten advanced talent, but...
- Greater Shadow armor is +15, so that's a total of 65. Minimum check 66, maximum 85. That's some good hiding.
[/spoiler]
Also, took a look at Inquisitor and it is an awesome divine gish class. Up to +7 to attack and damage? add some AC, DR or fast healing on top. TWF or archery, that's really nice. I mean, not Paladin nice, but still.
Of course, plain old Bards get Arcane Strike which divines don't so... But, they have a rather nice divine list:
- divine favor, bless, true strike.
- heroism, greater magic weapon (no haste, though)
- divine power
- disrupting weapon, righteous might
- heroes' feast
They also get, oh, invisibility, all four holy word type spells, harm AND heal.
And half inquisitor level on intimidate checks? Nice for dazzling display/shatter defenses.
Super Bane weapons, Mettle, Wis to Init, all nice.
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I'm considering Improved Dirty Trick as a feat from APG, by the way. Blinded 1 round? Thank you.