Are PrC's too powerful?
- Thread starter Alchemist
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Shadowlord
Member
Are PrCs too powerful?
Yes, they always were, and there are way too many of them!
What would be your optimal, mechanical solution to this issue? What would be your generally optimal solution?
-> Only the 1st PrC shouldn't count towards XP. Everyone could specialize but maintaining different specializations at the same time is very difficult.
If you consider PrCs so powerful, you could rule that every PrC counts as multiclassing and can impose an XP penalty.
Yes, they always were, and there are way too many of them!
What would be your optimal, mechanical solution to this issue? What would be your generally optimal solution?
-> Only the 1st PrC shouldn't count towards XP. Everyone could specialize but maintaining different specializations at the same time is very difficult.
If you consider PrCs so powerful, you could rule that every PrC counts as multiclassing and can impose an XP penalty.
Bendris Noulg
First Post
Re: Re: Are PrC's too powerful?
And this is coming from someone that usually doesn't even look at published Prestige Classes just on the "campaign defining" principle alone.
One thing that needs to be kept in mind is that the Prestige Class starts at a higher level. If the Prestige Class can be obtained at 7th Level, than the 1st Level benefit gained should be suitable for a 7th level character. This is where combinations become dangerous to game balance, since the abilities of these Prestige Classes are naturally more potent than the abilities gained from multiclassing with Core Classes.
There are other Prestige Classes available within the Legions: Legion Standard Bearer, Legion Scout, Sorcerous-Commander, Legion Field Marshal, and Legion Captain. Each of these has one prereq in common: The 1st Level ability gained by the Madoni Legionnaire.
(And to touch on my earlier comments concerning multiple Prestige Classes, these were designed with stacking in-mind, functioning in different conditions and/or towards different methods.)
Other such progressions can exist as well; e.g., I have three groups of arcane casters that specialize in Shadow Magic: The Daelori Shadow Sister, the N'Gimba Shadow Hunters, and the Shadow Weavers of Mong, each gaining an ability called Shadow Casting. Shadow Casting is a prerequisite for an Epic Prestige Class called the Shadow Master of Aedon.
So, I understand your theory, but I also see a number of ways that this would cut-off creative Prestige Class evolution.
The plain and simple fact is that the final say regarding mechanics and balance within a game is the DM (DMG, page 9). If a Prestige Class (or a combination of Prestige Classes) is too powerful and will threaten the fun and enjoyment of the game, than the DM simply needs to say "no".
Nah... Not all are too powerful (for Core Standards, that is). As for there being too many, that's a matter of perception. If there's some kind of compulsive need to use every Prestige Class available, then yes, far too many for very little reason. On the flip side, for DMs that have the time to review, consider and select what Prestige Classes they use or don't use, than there aren't too many (and possibly even impossible for there to be too many).Shadowlord said:
And this is coming from someone that usually doesn't even look at published Prestige Classes just on the "campaign defining" principle alone.
One thing that needs to be kept in mind is that the Prestige Class starts at a higher level. If the Prestige Class can be obtained at 7th Level, than the 1st Level benefit gained should be suitable for a 7th level character. This is where combinations become dangerous to game balance, since the abilities of these Prestige Classes are naturally more potent than the abilities gained from multiclassing with Core Classes.
Optimally, I'd follow MC's guidelines for Prestige Class design. Very on the money, and I'd not consider anything not designed under those guidelines.
I wouldn't care for this solution. For instance, I have an organization in my campaign called The Madoni Free Legions, a highly-organized and structured Mercenary Company. When you progress from "recruit/soldier" to "member/brother", you gain the Madoni Legionnaire Prestige Class.
There are other Prestige Classes available within the Legions: Legion Standard Bearer, Legion Scout, Sorcerous-Commander, Legion Field Marshal, and Legion Captain. Each of these has one prereq in common: The 1st Level ability gained by the Madoni Legionnaire.
(And to touch on my earlier comments concerning multiple Prestige Classes, these were designed with stacking in-mind, functioning in different conditions and/or towards different methods.)
Other such progressions can exist as well; e.g., I have three groups of arcane casters that specialize in Shadow Magic: The Daelori Shadow Sister, the N'Gimba Shadow Hunters, and the Shadow Weavers of Mong, each gaining an ability called Shadow Casting. Shadow Casting is a prerequisite for an Epic Prestige Class called the Shadow Master of Aedon.
So, I understand your theory, but I also see a number of ways that this would cut-off creative Prestige Class evolution.
The plain and simple fact is that the final say regarding mechanics and balance within a game is the DM (DMG, page 9). If a Prestige Class (or a combination of Prestige Classes) is too powerful and will threaten the fun and enjoyment of the game, than the DM simply needs to say "no".
RyanL
First Post
Thank you to the previous poster who said (paraphrasing) that it's not the concept of prestige classes that's flawed, nor is it the classes themselves. The problem is in the way some people interpret prestige classes. I think that sums up my feelings nicely. Even if the classes themselves are overpowered, I'm okay with that as long as the DM makes the player work for the privelege of joining the class. Sadly, this is often not the case.
Granted, if you want to give out prestige classes like candy, and the group is okay with it ... whatever floats your boat. I'm just not into that.
-Ryan
Granted, if you want to give out prestige classes like candy, and the group is okay with it ... whatever floats your boat. I'm just not into that.
-Ryan
Cloudgatherer
First Post
Are PrC classes overpowered? Definitely yes.
How can I say this? Create two characters, one is a vanilla whatever, the other takes a PrC. The vast majority of the time (note: some are fairly balanced, but most are not) the PrC character has a considerable advantage.
Thus I am reluctant to allow any PrC classes. Unless they fit into the world somehow, someway, and I can make a balance judgement on the class, only then will the PrC be allowed in.
How can I say this? Create two characters, one is a vanilla whatever, the other takes a PrC. The vast majority of the time (note: some are fairly balanced, but most are not) the PrC character has a considerable advantage.
Thus I am reluctant to allow any PrC classes. Unless they fit into the world somehow, someway, and I can make a balance judgement on the class, only then will the PrC be allowed in.
