Creating a 'point buy' for prestige classes

[Palagast]

I'd like to create a table where all (or at least many) features of prestige classes are rated and given points. I'm thinking the whole thing here - prereq's, BAB, saves, skills, feats, spell progression etc. The purpose of this all is to be able to create new balanced prestige classes.
Is there perhaps already such a table?
If not, here's a start:

Requirements:
Starting with the difficult one. I think this should be set to a standard amount of points and be loosened when you have spent less points than the target. Points of interest are earliest achievable level, usefullness of the feats/skills required etc.

Skill points:
2/lvl.....x points
4/lvl.....x points
6/lvl.....x points
8/lvl.....x points

Hit die:
d4.....x points
d6.....x points
d8.....x points
d10...x points
d12...x points

BAB:
1/1......x points
3/4......x points
1/2......x points

Saving throws:
One (appropriate) good.....x points
Two (appropriate) good.....x points
Three good...x points

Spellcasting progression:
1/lvl...............x points
1/2 lvls...........x points
1/lvl -(1,2,3)...x points

Sneak Attack progression:
1/2 lvls.....x points
1/3 lvls.....x points
1/4 lvls.....x points

Feats attained:
One feat.....x points

Feat-like abilities:
One extra ability.....x points

Maximum Total Points:
x

...so far. Any suggestions are welcome. I understand this can't possibly be waterproof, but with a sane mind (and a good DM ) behind it I'm sure it'll be worth it.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

You'll have to ride over opposition first, unfortunately.

Wonder why WotC hasn't released anything like this? Well, let's see... they don't have an equivalent. How else can you explain the Entropomancer and Radiant Servant of Pelor being in the same book?

Furthermore, they'd rather sell you bad package deals than have you create your own PrCs and balance things yourself.

Plus, munchkins would hate such a system, and hope their DMs never see it.

There is a class point system at Soldarin's site, but I don't have the URL. Google it. It may have some of these values for you already.

 

[Graybeard]

Hi,

I have seen something like that. It was a couple of years ago. I don't recall exactly where I saw it. I remember printing it off a web site. I'll look to see if I can fiind it for you. If I do, I'll post the URL here.

Graying One

 

[Brisk-sg]

This reminds me too much of skills and powers from 2nd edition. *shudder*

I would like to see it when it is done, could be usefull as a DM tool to make classes if done well. But I would hate for a player to use something like this to make their own prestige classes.

Good Luck.

 

[DrSpunj]

I'd like to create a table where all (or at least many) features of prestige classes are rated and given points. I'm thinking the whole thing here - prereq's, BAB, saves, skills, feats, spell progression etc. The purpose of this all is to be able to create new balanced prestige classes.
Is there perhaps already such a table?
<snip>
Any suggestions are welcome. I understand this can't possibly be waterproof, but with a sane mind (and a good DM ) behind it I'm sure it'll be worth it.

It's not a table, but I've put a lot of work with some help from people here in this forum into a spreadsheet that allows you to do something very similar. If you haven't already, I ask you to take a quick look at what I've come up with so far starting with the Core Classes (as opposed to Prestige Classes). The link is in my sig. While I call it a Classless Generator I've been using it to retool a number of character concepts, including putting in some Prestige Classes and see how the measure up. I haven't bothered to put those in the file as a separate sheet, but I suppose including the DMG Prestige Classes isn't unreasonable. First I have to finish working on the AU Classes!

Thanks.

DrSpunj

Please post any questions/comments in the thread

 

[Graybeard]

Greetings,

There is a Prestige Class Design Kit I downloaded from www.thirdedition.net a couple of years ago. It was in the articles section. I haven't checked to see if it is still there or not. It may not be exactly what you are looking for but it is a start. Perhaps you could use it as a basis for your own system.

Gray

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

If you can every successfully create such a formulaic system, it can be trivially altered to apply to core classes. Then why have core classes at all? Why have PrCs? Let's just apply a formula and buy abilities at each level, right?

 

[Palagast]

If you can every successfully create such a formulaic system, it can be trivially altered to apply to core classes. Then why have core classes at all? Why have PrCs? Let's just apply a formula and buy abilities at each level, right?

I'm not trying to accomplish such a thing as you're suggesting, I'm merely trying to look for a good, balanced way to create more prestige classes. Every time when I create a new character, I look through the prestige classes in numerous books (I guess that's what alot of people do nowadays, non-prestige classing seems to be old-fashioned), but sometimes none of the classes really fit my concept. I see some posts around here, complaining that bards don't have any good ones. Well then let's make a good one, shall we?

 

[DrSpunj]

If you can every successfully create such a formulaic system, it can be trivially altered to apply to core classes. Then why have core classes at all? Why have PrCs? Let's just apply a formula and buy abilities at each level, right?

RIGHT!

That's what I'm working towards. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

DrSpunj

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

One more thing to watch out for:

Suppose you see a PrC with a pathetically weak ability (say "horse whispering" or a skill-boosting feat) as a 1st-level ability and some uber-powerful ability later on. Most calculations would rate the PrC as average, when in fact it's probably overpowered.