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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Saeviomagy" data-source="post: 1562077" data-attributes="member: 5890">I think I have more of an issue with making the character himself fit into the world, rather than making a PrC fit into the world.I want PrC's which let me make an interesting character concept work.If a character seems to fit into the mould for a secret society (or non-secret, whatever), then the secret society may (or may not, depending on the current status of the campaign) contact him.Whether or not he joins them shouldn't have an impact on his abilities - he either fits the mould of the organisation or he doesn't, it's goals either mesh with his, or they don't. This isn't AD&D - training is not necessary.The flipside is that I shouldn't require a specific set of feats and abilities to join an organisation - how on earth do the drunken masters know that I don't have great fortitude if I'm a dwarf with 20 con, and have twice the fort save of any one of them?An example - the red wizard class requires (iirc) tattoo focus. Why? Because the red wizards of thay all have tattoos. The tattoo and ritual magic aren't really thematically linked.Entrance requirements should fulfil two purposes1. represent the necessary level of study and ability within an area required for the abilities of the class (example - proficiency with armour or weapons, any abilities or feats that the class builds upon, a minimum bonus to a skill or stat, any physical qualities which are essential - a hulking hurler or war hulk for instance doesn't really NEED to be large - he should have a minimum lift requirement, making large species fit easier, but allowing exceptional individuals qualify. A bladesinger doesn't NEED to be an elf - there is no call for it at all beyond tradition)2. Force a minimum level in classes to qualify for powers that match the capabilities of PC's at that level. ie - a class which does 10d6 damage with an ability should only grant that ability at at least 10th level (equal to a wizard with a 10d6 fireball). Classes blending spellcasting and other abilities should force a minimum amount of lost spellcasting levels. etc.Feats like endurance, toughness, great fortitude, weapon focus, spell focus, or qualifications like "the wizard must specialise", racial requirements like "elf only" and the like should not be requirements for any PrC. The qualities granted by any of these abilities is not really measureable by a character in the game world. The only way to pick a specialist wizard (for instance) from a wizard with superior intelligence, or extra slot feats is that the specialist can't cast a school of spells. Which doesn't seem to me like it's a worthy qualification. The difference between a human with the great fortitude feat and a dwarf is 1 point of fortitude save modifier. Against poisons and spells however, the dwarf comes out ahead. Is there a noticeable difference between someone with dodge and someone with 2 points more dex?Toughness? Don't make me laugh.Any class which gives full spellcasting progression, two good saves, d8 hitpoints, mid-range bab and undead turning and then some extra is a dead cert for anyone who's currently a cleric. Hell, even ones which drop undead turning are typically a really good deal. And almost all the cleric-targeted PrC's seem to go down this route. In contrast all the classes for other spellcasters tend to have some serious hits in them.Yes, but the primary function of the PrC is to back up roleplaying with mechanics. It doesn't provide the roleplaying, or even much of a structure for that roleplaying. In fact the ability to say "I take a level of guild thief, and now I have a guild backing me up" does the exact opposite of promoting roleplaying.The PrC provides the mechanics, and only the mechanics. And a good mechanic is a balanced mechanic that has a genuine need within the system.</blockquote>

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