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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Will" data-source="post: 1410088" data-attributes="member: 5566">I think I'd be happier if Prestige Classes simply said 'must be level X before joining,' instead of trying to be all indirect about it. Because some abilities simply aren't balanced too early.And man, some prestige classes... most, are so terribly designed. I mean, the problem is that few people are all that good at system work, when it comes down to it. I think PrCs then cause more problems, because the construct is a bit more elaborate, and people keep getting sucked into the 'it doesn't have to be balanced because it's exclusive' mindset.Though I had a satori moment a minute ago...So I was thinking of designing NPCs, and the difficulties therein. I was thinking of UA and variant classes. Then I thought 'hmm... I guess it might be easier just to swap in... HOLY CRAP!!'Prestige Classes should be mined as a source for variant classes. You know, like UA has 'swap special abilities' as a basis for making new classes? Take a ranger, swap out favored enemy for a fighter bonus feat/familiar/wild shape/...PrCs then become a pool of interesting abilities that can be mined for unique new classes... which solves the layering.Instead of cleric + ranger + vole farmer, you just start with a cleric and say 'ok, I want this NPC to have X, Y, and Vole abilities. What do I pull out?'Man. I'm a jeenyus.</blockquote>