5 Level Prestige Classes - Love or Hate?

[WhatGravitas]

I totally prefer 3-levels one, followed by 5-level ones. I don't feel PrCs should be long, because they should provide some specialized benefits, tied to the organization of the PrC... and then finish.

And since few games last more than a dozen levels, a shorter PrC is a lot more rewarding to play, since you actually reach your capstone, and can say "I'm a Master of Blah-Blah-Blah".

 

[EricNoah]

To add new abilities to the game...

Preference #1 - a feat chain.

Preference #2 - a good base class.

Preference #3 - a short PrC with few prerequisites.

 

[The Lost Muse]

To add new abilities to the game...

Preference #1 - a feat chain.

Preference #2 - a good base class.

Preference #3 - a short PrC with few prerequisites.

A-MEN!

 

[LightPhoenix]

To add new abilities to the game...

Preference #1 - a feat chain.

Preference #2 - a good base class.

Preference #3 - a short PrC with few prerequisites.

I mostly agree, which is why I don't like the five level prestige classes too much. I think they're mostly better off being feats, or feat chains, than a whole class.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

while rare 10 level prc can be kind of cool. Dervish is a example all prc, should follow. every level is worth it.

 

[Psion]

To add new abilities to the game...

Preference #1 - a feat chain.

Preference #2 - a good base class.

Preference #3 - a short PrC with few prerequisites.

I think new base classes are a poor way to add abilities to a game.

Feat chains are nice, but most D&D classes don't get enough feats to exploit them, especially not early on, and many groups don't play into high levels. So in theory, if you did something D20 Modern Style, feat chains would be nice. In practice. in D&D, it doesn't work IME.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I don't really have a preference. I'd prefer the classes to be just as long as they need to be to get the point across. I dislike levels just being there for padding. I wouldn't mind a 1-level prestige class if it did what it needed to do in that one level.

Wow. Pretty much exactly what I was going to say, down to the "wouldn't mind a 1-level PrC if it did what it needed to" comment.

So let me just say QFT.

 

[Ace]

I prefer them. The smaller classes seem better built and don't take away so much of the original concept and redefine the character.

Ditto. Most PRC's should be 5 level IMO.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

They're fine. I like em.

 

[Darklone]

I prefer them. The smaller classes seem better built and don't take away so much of the original concept and redefine the character.

Seconded.