Shadow Form/Shadow Walker [DF12] Ninja questions

[Stix4armz]

So I'm preparing for a campaign using Dungeon Fantasy, for which I am playing a ninja. I decided to buy Shadow Walker DF12 p6, which is the ninja version of Shadow Form B83. The ability seems good, but there were a ton of problems I couldn't find answers to, especially relating to combat.

- What is the time to switch into shadow form? (none is listed, so is it immediate?)

-Can I switch into shadow form in combat? Can I do this as a dodge?

- If I can use this as a dodge, what position to I come back up in if I switch back? (standing, prone, crawling, etc?)

- Now if I can do all of the above things, can I switch to shadow form to dodge, move between my opponents legs, come up behind them, and attack?

- The desription in Basic Set says, "You can become a two-dimensional
shadow. This lets you slip along walls and floors – and through the thinnest cracks (anything wide enough to fit your shoulders through)" So which is it? The thinnest of of cracks or anything wide enough to fit your shoulders through? (My GM thinks it means that it could be a microscopic crack that is at least shoulders witdth long, e.g. under a door, but not through a mouse hole -- Is that right?)

- What sort of skill roll would be required to hide inside someones shadow or mimic someones shadow? (Miming? Acting?)

- This character has Super Jump 2, which at his basic speed means that I can jump 4.2 yards straight up (or more with a running start); so can I jump up, hit the ceiling, and switch into shadow form and stick up there? (basically same question but could I do a running jump and stick to a wall?)

- Can I turn into shadow form on the surface of water or would I sink to the bottom? What if I would normally be able to walk on water because of inflatable ninja shoes and the light walk skill, could I stay on the surface then?

- Thats all the questions I have for the moment, but as questions get answered I might think of more. Thanks for the help!

[Stone Dog]

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

(My GM thinks it means that it could be a microscopic crack that is at least shoulders witdth long, e.g. under a door, but not through a mouse hole -- Is that right?)

Probably. I would say that it couldn't be microscopic because DF folks have no idea what that is, but anything you could see light through that is at least shoulder width long.

[lexington]

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- What is the time to switch into shadow form? (none is listed, so is it immediate?)

I assume so.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

-Can I switch into shadow form in combat? Can I do this as a dodge?

You can change into Shadow Form in combat.
In Powers you can do so as a Dodge.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- If I can use this as a dodge, what position to I come back up in if I switch back? (standing, prone, crawling, etc?)

You should be able to come out in any position you want.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- Now if I can do all of the above things, can I switch to shadow form to dodge, move between my opponents legs, come up behind them, and attack?

I don't see why not.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- The desription in Basic Set says, "You can become a two-dimensional
shadow. This lets you slip along walls and floors – and through the thinnest cracks (anything wide enough to fit your shoulders through)" So which is it? The thinnest of of cracks or anything wide enough to fit your shoulders through? (My GM thinks it means that it could be a microscopic crack that is at least shoulders witdth long, e.g. under a door, but not through a mouse hole -- Is that right?)

That's the way I've already read it.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- What sort of skill roll would be required to hide inside someones shadow or mimic someones shadow? (Miming? Acting?)

I'm pretty sure its Acting.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- Can I turn into shadow form on the surface of water or would I sink to the bottom? What if I would normally be able to walk on water because of inflatable ninja shoes and the light walk skill, could I stay on the surface then?

As I understand it you're literally a shadow so unless you can cast a shadow on the water you shouldn't be able to transform there.

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- What is the time to switch into shadow form? (none is listed, so is it immediate?)

Powers clarifies this takes one Ready maneuver (page 154)

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

-Can I switch into shadow form in combat?

Takes one Ready maneuver, which you can certainly do in combat.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

Can I do this as a dodge?

Not by default, although adding Reflexive will help with this.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- Now if I can do all of the above things, can I switch to shadow form to dodge, move between my opponents legs, come up behind them, and attack?

Whatever action you took, with that defense (one maneuver). Move (new maneuver). Ready or Free Action to Become physical (depending on enhancements - 0 or 1 maneuvers). Change posture (new maneuver). Step and Attack (new maneuver).

So yes you certainly can, but it's not going to be a one-turn thing. You can't rise up off the floor while still in shadow form.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

So which is it? The thinnest of of cracks or anything wide enough to fit your shoulders through? (My GM thinks it means that it could be a microscopic crack that is at least shoulders witdth long, e.g. under a door, but not through a mouse hole -- Is that right?

Yes, that's exactly it. Thin-ness and length are two dimensions - that phrase is describing those two dimensions.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- What sort of skill roll would be required to hide inside someones shadow or mimic someones shadow? (Miming? Acting?)

Stealth, with a huge bonus probably. Anyone can hide in shadows, but you get cover from it and are well camouflaged. At least you avoid any penalty for being in plain sight (which usually makes hiding impossible) and a +2 for having perfect camouflage.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- This character has Super Jump 2, which at his basic speed means that I can jump 4.2 yards straight up (or more with a running start); so can I jump up, hit the ceiling, and switch into shadow form and stick up there? (basically same question but could I do a running jump and stick to a wall?)

You would have to be able to change as a free action - so you'll need to enhance it.

Originally Posted by Stix4armz

- Can I turn into shadow form on the surface of water or would I sink to the bottom? What if I would normally be able to walk on water because of inflatable ninja shoes and the light walk skill, could I stay on the surface then?

not sure about base skill, but I'm pretty sure the shoes wouldn't help you at all in Shadow Form. You're not walking, and you aren't supported by your feet.

[Not another shrubbery]

Originally Posted by Bruno

not sure about base skill, but I'm pretty sure the shoes wouldn't help you at all in Shadow Form. You're not walking, and you aren't supported by your feet.

Yeah. You'd need the 3-D Movement Enhancement (Powers, p74) for that trick to work, or Walk on Liquid to do away with the need for special gear, neither of which seems to fit the conventions for DF ninjas.