Possessed Shaman

Discover the unique mechanics of the Possessed Shaman in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. Learn about its spirit guide, skill bonuses, and special abilities.

Alright, let's talk about the Possessed Shaman! This subclass in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous has a really cool, thematic twist: it's all about a super close connection with its spirit guide. Think of it as the spirit being practically *inside* you, influencing everything you do. This means you'll get some unique benefits, but also some limitations compared to a regular Shaman.

The core idea is that you gain skills directly from your spirit guide, which is pretty neat. However, this close bond means you won't be able to select spirit spells like other Shamans, and you'll get fewer hexes overall. It's a trade-off, but one that can lead to a really distinct playstyle.

Here’s a look at how the Possessed Shaman progresses:

Let's break down some of those unique abilities:

Shared Skills

Right at 1st level, you get this awesome ability called Shared Skills. You pick two skills, and your effective rank in them becomes your class level. Plus, you use your Wisdom modifier instead of whatever modifier the skill would normally use. This is huge for making certain skills super potent, but remember, it doesn't stack with any skill points you gain normally when leveling up. This is the trade-off for not getting Spirit Magic – your spirit won't be granting you extra spells, but it's boosting your core skills instead.

Crowded Vessel

This is a neat defensive perk. If you fail a saving throw against a charm or compulsion effect (you know, those annoying spells that try to control your character), you get a second chance! You get to attempt another saving throw, and if you succeed this time, you resist the effect. It’s like your spirit guide is pushing back against the influence.

Wandering Skills

This ability pops up at level 6 and lets you get even more mileage out of your skills. When you form a temporary spirit bond (which happens after resting), you can choose one skill. Your effective rank in that skill becomes your class level, and again, you use your Wisdom modifier. The best part? You can pick a different skill each time you rest, letting you adapt your skill focus as needed.