Ascension as an Epic Prestige Class...

[ShadowofNarcissus]

What's everyone's opinion on divine ascension as an Epic/Immortal prestige class? Could it be done? Should it be done? What kind of benefits/prerequisites should a class called "Ascendant" or perhaps "God King" have? Obviously the gathering of quintessence would be a factor. ...but how would you do this, if you were crazy enough to do this?

I'm interested in possibly constructing some Epic/Immortal prestige classes specifically aimed at ascension to godhood that are centered around the core Pathfinder classes (but still usable for those fond of 3.5) or perhaps one generic Epic/Immortal prestige class that could be used by any character seeking to ascend or improve upon their existing divinity.

Has anyone done this yet?

 

[Obly99]

I have builded a Godslayer prestige class but never an Ascension prestige class.

 

[Obly99]

Building an Ascension PC would be difficult: how do you put that he gets the powers based on the level? A deity is strong not only for the template but also for his class levels (integrated or not it doesn't matter), making him give up levels in order to have the powers would leave him far behind a deity of the same rank. Even putting in a progression for the class he already has (as some prestige classes do), I don't know how much would stem the problem.

 

[ShadowofNarcissus]

Building an Ascension PC would be difficult: how do you put that he gets the powers based on the level?

I was thinking that a prestige class for ascension would have to compensate by matching the loss of abilities with a slightly greater boost in abilities than they would have acquired normally. A standard deity is Outsider HD + integrated class features. So we could build it around that assumption by replacing the standard Outsider HD with ascension levels and maybe give them an overall gain of 1 extra divine ability every 5 levels and 1 extra cosmic at every 20 levels.

 

[Obly99]

I was thinking that a prestige class for ascension would have to compensate by matching the loss of abilities with a slightly greater boost in abilities than they would have acquired normally. A standard deity is Outsider HD + integrated class features. So we could build it around that assumption by replacing the standard Outsider HD with ascension levels and maybe give them an overall gain of 1 extra divine ability every 5 levels and 1 extra cosmic at every 20 levels.

Wow, 1 extra divine ability every 5 levels and 1 extra cosmic at every 20 levels is a VERY great boost. I'm not sure if it is a great idea. 1 extra divine ability for every 10 levels and 1 extra cosmic at every 30 levels might be better.

 

[ShadowofNarcissus]

Wow, 1 extra divine ability every 5 levels and 1 extra cosmic at every 20 levels is a VERY great boost. I'm not sure if it is a great idea. 1 extra divine ability for every 10 levels and 1 extra cosmic at every 30 levels might be better.

That would probaby work better.

I see the prestige class as giving all the benefits of Outsider HD and all the appropriate template benefits (in a scaling manner), and the extra divines and cosmics to basically represent the structured manner in which the characters ascend and learn about their abilities. I'm just unsure how to implement it.

I was thinking maybe 1 prestige class for Immortals, 1 for Sidereals, and 1 for Aeons. Disciple-Greater would be subepic-epic (levels 1-120), Elder One-First One would be cosmic, etc..

 

[Beefermatic]

In the 3.5 Draconomicon there is a class called the Dragon Ascendent, where they eat their entire hoarde and achieve quasi-deity status. It's an entirely legit and published class and before IH I had characters who wanted to gain divinity take the same class having to give up all their wealth and assets (at least 100,000 gold) and max the class out, level 12, to transform into a God.

Dragon Ascendant – Class – D&D Tools

Complete list of all D&D spells, rulebooks, feats, classes and more!

dnd.arkalseif.info

 

[ShadowofNarcissus]

In the 3.5 Draconomicon there is a class called the Dragon Ascendent, where they eat their entire hoarde and achieve quasi-deity status. It's an entirely legit and published class and before IH I had characters who wanted to gain divinity take the same class having to give up all their wealth and assets (at least 100,000 gold) and max the class out, level 12, to transform into a God.

Dragon Ascendant – Class – D&D Tools

Complete list of all D&D spells, rulebooks, feats, classes and more!

dnd.arkalseif.info

I remember that class. It was pretty amazing, but horribly broken even by my loose standards. Still, it might give us a few ideas on how to proceed. I'm still contemplating entry requirements. I'm torn between having them scale or just having them be nonexistent or purely roleplaying based. Ascension, if it gives the divinity template in a scaling manner could even be a core class. Kinda like how monster classes are done.

 

[the Jester]

Here's a version I wrote, tying into some third party supplement about the death of a god. Haven't looked at it in about a decade, so I don't remember a ton about it.

 

[ShadowofNarcissus]

Here's a version I wrote, tying into some third party supplement about the death of a god. Haven't looked at it in about a decade, so I don't remember a ton about it.

I like this. It's actually fairly close to some of my own ideas. It's better in many ways too. Probably easily adapted to Ascension rules.