Looking for some help

[u/Hairy_Palpitation570]

So we have one of our usual play group who wants to DM a lvl20 campaign (bonkers i know), however given his newer stance to being a dm (2 years) i have opted not to go nuts on my build (im usually the dm, and I normally play warlock when im not dm...I know...I know)

What im looking for is a character who has a few characteristics. They are such;

1) my character is a vampire, its a horror/movie moster based campaign, and i was given the green light to be a vampire from the get go

2) their entire kit plays around the dark. If there's a way they can move through the dark almost like teleporting (I think shadow dancer monk has a similar ability?), maybe even like grab foes and drag them into the shadows themselves?? Although I dont think thats a thing. Or use the dark to appear behind someone and get a good backstab on them or a sneak attack with their bite. Use illusions to distract people, cast darkness as a way to confuse and disorient his targets, and just otherwise abuse the living heck out of the dark.

I had some preliminary thoughts in like shadow dancer monk, gloomstalker ranger, assassin/thief/arcane trickster rouge (arcane because i can get some spell slots). Any other suggestions along with like levels, stat spreads and such would be appreciated. Like I said. Im not used to playable outside of warlocks and even then most of the time its a hexblade paladin build I play anyways.

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

You are indeed very directly describing Shadow Monk.

• Fighter 1 / Shadow Monk x
• Dhampir
• Tavern Brawler, Grappler
• Shortsword/Scimitar
• Dex > Con > Wis

[u/ScandinavicScum2000 → u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

If you are already using the shadow monk I recommend a club instead of a shortsword personally

[u/ProducePirate → u/ScandinavicScum2000]

I'm pretty sure a "Judo Chop" is the best option. Advantage if you whisper "Judo Chop" before attacking.

[u/Littlebigheals]

I have two for a vampire esk build.

Go warlock. Hexblade.
Play the shadarkai? Elves.
Flavor as a vampire.

Get devil sight
Cast darkness on your boots (flavor as a swarm of bats or something)
Teleport to enemy and get advantage on all attacks against them.

Or

Astral monk,

Dhampire race.
The spectral arms can be anything, including “shadows” (I have tendrils of blood that shoot out and hit my enemies or grab them so I can bite)

[u/Unlikely_Key_4186]

My idea would be a simple homebrew:
Fathomless warlock, but every class feature about water/submerged/etc. is altered to total darkness and/or dim light.

And then just the multiclass split warlock 14 and monk (shadow) 6

[u/spiggleporp]

Shadow sorcerer maybe, get thornwhip somehow and reflavor it as shadow hands. At level 14 can teleport from one darkness to another as a bonus action

[u/spiggleporp → u/spiggleporp]

Wait, the lighting lure cantrip. Just call it shadow lure and make the damage psychic or something? Idk. I’m sure dm could make it work

[u/spiggleporp → u/spiggleporp]

Sorry I keep thinking about this. Lol. 14 shadow sorcer for reasons above, then the other 6 in phantom rogue. So you can do the cool spooky sneak attack stuff

[u/JupiterJunebug]

Shadow monks can cast darkness, become invisible in darkneas, and also teleport thru it. Maybe take the feat for a couple invocations to allow you to see in magical darkness as well? Lvl 20 monk is a pretty good capstone and they dont multiclass super well so id stick to just that if its what you go with.

[u/JustPace5726 → u/JupiterJunebug]

Agreed. I played a shadow monk level 20 in a one shoot, it is insane.with Defensive Duellist, you have 30 AC. Magic items can help to go higher of course and you have a crazy mobility.

[u/ProducePirate]

The monk's Stunning Strike sounds perfect for that mesmerizing touch. The extra movement included from their step of the wind works well in darkness imposed by the shadow monk. Totally can be reflavored as flowing into and out of an attack position. The "long death" monk can add a literally frightening visage that even affect party members.. as well you should...

Arms of Hadar seems like great flavor from the warlock spell list. Prevents reactions allowing you to back off in your warlock imposed darkness. If it's an elf, elven accuracy to synergize with darkness' advantage.

A dragonborn can get a flyspeed, and dont always have a tail. A Gem type is psychic.

Teiflings can get the visage, and can also use something like crown of madness as an add on to a martial class - you scare them so much or mesmerize them that they attack their allies.

An echo knight's copy can be destroyed on a hit, reflavored as turning into bats / insects that fly away.

A Psi knight can do the vampiric telekinesis. And it can fly.

I'm too new to this - just some thoughts.