Thematic build for Shadowheart that focuses on the aspects of her background and being a worshiper of Shar. Part Assassin, part Death mage, part Supporter.
There are 2 approaches for this build with the 1st being a greater emphasis on Assasination with the very powerful TitanString Bow (TSB). The TSB gets bonus damage from the users Strength Mod so for this ive chosen the Club of Hill Giant Strength. Its accessed extremely early and sets the users Strength to 19. Sharpshooter should be the very first Feat acquired as its damage increase is significant. To offset the loss in accuracy the Fighting Style: Archery is taken for a +2 in accuracy. The Mask of Soul Perception also adds an additional +2 to accuracy effectively removing the debuff from Sharpshooter. Spidersilk Armor was chosen as it grants not only +1 to Stealth Ability Checks but also Advantage on Constitution Saving Throws which improves the ability to keep Concentration on casting spells.
The 2nd approach is spell casting from Cleric Spells. This means taking the late game ASI in Wisdom instead of Dexterity. Starting Class as Death Cleric has a significant damage boost as a character. Being able to target 2 enemies with Bone Chill or Toll of the Dead is significant early game and still relevant late game. Command is one of the best utility spells in the game too allowing Shadowheart to disrupt the battle field. At later levels will grant access the the Class Feature – Inescapable Destruction which ignores resistance to Necrotic Damage and the spell Spirit Guardian can now be used as unresistable damage when needed and the twin casted Necrotic Cantrips also become unresistable.
Additional Notes:
An alternative for chest armor is Graceful Cloth. You can then ASI Wisdom instead of Dexterity while still achieving 20 Dexterity. Not only that but Cats Grace grants Advantage on Dexterity Checks and specifically Stealth Checks are all a type of Dexterity Check meaning all Stealth Checks have Advantage.
If swapping to Graceful Cloth you can also swap boots to Bonespike Boots for additional AC. Other boot option to look out for are the Boots of Comfort and Aid to boost the builds supportive functionality.
If you do not wish to use Auntie Hair on Shadowheart you can redistribute the final point of Dexterity into either Intelligence or Charisma to improve their Saving Throws
Class Action – Touch of Death can activate on the Melee Spell – Vampiric Touch, not only do you get the extra damage it actually is counted for Vampiric Touch healing effect.
