3, 5 or 10 Level - What are your favourite Prestige Classes?

[Lyriel Aelorothi]

I have no preference concerning the number of levels in a prestige class. My only concern is the favor and balance of said class...

 

[Nifft]

4, 8 or 12.

-- N

 

[jeffh]

4, 8 or 12.

-- N

Any special reason for those numbers?

I think it may have been a mistake to mention balance in the "who cares" option. I see from the replies that people are seeing it as "which is more important, balance or number of levels?" (to which no-one in their right mind will answer "number of levels"), not "how many levels do you prefer?".

 

[Li Shenron]

It doesn't matter. If the features have a point to take 7, 9 or 13 levels to develop, why not? I prefer an odd number with a smooth and balanced progression to a "nicer" round number as 5 or 10 but with blank levels (or worst, casual bonus feats ).

However in the books I have read, I noticed that actual 5-levels PrCls are usually developed very badly. The FRCS 5lv PrCl (not all) were some of most afwul designed things I've seen in 3rd edition, a collection of a small bunch of goodies with lousy progression (no reason to make that a PrCl).

 

[Gez]

Any special reason for those numbers?

I'm guessing BAB, as the save progressions are either full, one-half, or three-quarter -- which makes classes with multiple of 4 levels the only classes that doesn't screw the BAB progression of the poor souls that have not seen the Glorious Light of fractionnal progression.

But I'm going to correct Nifft here, the ideal number of level is 12 or 24. Because of the saves. They're either 1/2 +2, or 1/3. So if you want perfect progressions for both BABs and saves, you need to have multiple of the smallest common denominator to 4 (for BAB), 2 (BAB and saves), and 3 (saves). That's 12, 24, 36, 48, etc.

That said, I didn't voted for 48 as the perfect number of levels for PrC. I like 3-level PrC the best.

My reasonning is that a PrC is just a few special abilities that only a select few prestigious organizations (guilds, sects, agencies...) teach. Not a whole different path. The character's base classes are still more important. Furthermore, given that usually one need to be at the very least 5th level to qualify, that makes a 10-level PrC one that require at least one 15th-level NPC at the head of the guild/sect/agency. I want to avoid having too many NPCs above level 8.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

I prefer 10-level PrCs for functions that replace a core class-- for instance, Assassin or Alienist-- and 5 level PrCs for supplemental classes, such as Survivor or Invisible Blade.

Any other number drives me insane-- it strikes me as disorderly.

 

[Turanil]

I prefer 10-level PrCs for functions that replace a core class-- for instance, Assassin or Alienist-- and 5 level PrCs for supplemental classes, such as Survivor or Invisible Blade.

Any other number drives me insane-- it strikes me as disorderly.

I second this opinion.

 

[arscott]

yeah. It really depends on what the class does and how much it defines who the character is.

I'm a pretty big d20Modern fan too, so I enjoy the 10/10/5 Basic/Advanced/Prestige route.

 

[philreed]

All that I want are prestige classes without any dead levels. As long as the PrC does what it's intended for, in as few levels as possible, it works for me.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

I'm interested in those who talk about 6, 8 or 12+ level PrCs as I have yet to see a PrC that does fit the 3, 5, 10 models.

Not surprising that balance is easily the most important aspect (at about 47% right now) but at least I know I'm not alone is my liking 5 level PrCs over the others.



edit - should I feel proud that my poll is on the front page of ENWorld- or it that an automatic thing with any poll?