5 Level Prestige Classes - Love or Hate?

[Nifft]

I'd like to see some of the 10 level PrC's retuned to a 5 or 6 level PrC such as the Bladesinger for example. Having it at a 5 level with 3 spell level progression and the abilities and full BA would make it more attractive to play while not any where near as powerful as abjurant champion, it would make some great concept PrC's from weak and less desirable to play to a nice add.

Or even four levels with full BAB and no spellcasting. If you're going to lose casting anyway, why not be allowed to choose how much you're going to lose?

I love building-block classes.

-- N

 

[Megatron]

I prefer them as well, but I'm also fond of 3 level classes.

 

[Darrell]

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.

My feelings exactly. I prefer PrCs as setting-specific 'jobs/callings' rather than strings of feats/abilities/crunch. IMC, they provide a limited number of benefits to characters who elect to pursue a course of action/religious calling/pattern of behavior/etc.

Lately, I've been converting many of the 10-level PrCs from a variety of sources into 3 to 5-level PrCs for my semi-Greyhawk/semi-homebrew games.

Regards,
Darrell

 

[Klaus]

I wouldn't mind seeing 10-level PrClasses rejigged into 5-level ones that actually cost you something. For instance, over in the House Rules forum I posted my alteration to the Tattooed Monk where you have to give up an item slot for each tattoo you get.

 

[RedFox]

I really just plain dislike prestige classes, period. I'd much prefer alternate class features or substitution levels. A much more modular and elegant way of doing the same thing, IMO.

That said, I prefer smaller PrCs to full 10-level ones. The only 10-level class I really like is the archmage, and that isn't something most people would consider taking all the way up to 10 anyway. "Get in, get it done, and get out" seems a very good philosophy when it comes to PrCs.

 

[wildstarsreach]

I really just plain dislike prestige classes, period. I'd much prefer alternate class features or substitution levels. A much more modular and elegant way of doing the same thing, IMO.

That said, I prefer smaller PrCs to full 10-level ones. The only 10-level class I really like is the archmage, and that isn't something most people would consider taking all the way up to 10 anyway. "Get in, get it done, and get out" seems a very good philosophy when it comes to PrCs.

Actually the Archmage PrC is a 5 level PrC and you can't qualify for it until 14th level. most PrC's you can qualify between 6th and 9th level. Alternate class features and substitution levels are very usefull and a good alternative. I agree with others that PrC's should be 3 or 5 as the rule with the 10 level being very rare.

 

[Imp]

I too prefer 5-or 3-level prestige classes in most cases. The exception would be classes that work decently as multiclassing fixes, like Eldritch Knight, and possibly physical transformation/ apotheosis classes like Dragon Disciple.

Classes that could really stand to go down to 5 levels: arcane archer, duellist, dwarven defender, loremaster, shadowdancer.... most of 'em!

 

[Kaodi]

Personally, I think Dragon Disciple could of been done better. I absolutely despise the bonus spell mechanic they use, but besides that, a 10 level prestige class for a LA +3 template seems rather excessive.

 

[Nyeshet]

For 'patch' PrCs (such as those used when multiclassing two classes - ie: mystic theurge, eldritch knight, etc) I prefer 10 - 15 level PrCs. The first 5 - 10 levels are spent preparing for the patch, while the final 15 - 10 levels are spent wholely withing the patch PrC, as it is meant to define the PC (as the PC has spent the levels preparing for the multiclass patch).


For specialists extensions I prefer the 5 level PrCs. Why should an undead hunter be 10 - 15 levels? There is no real reason for it, sense most of what might be useful for such can easily be put into 5 levels.


Transformative PrCs are iffy. Perhaps they should be 5 level PrCs, as in a sense transcending one's nature is a specialization of sorts, but perhaps they should be considered for a 10 level PrC (or even higher) if the power gained is such that more than five levels is needed for balanced containment of the class features.

 

[Klaus]

The Dragon Disciple is pretty much the Half-Dragon template spread over 10 levels. But the Template has LA +3. It could easily be a 5-level Pr Class that offered HD d4, poor BAB and all bad saves (which still beats getting nothing for 3 levels).