Do players need something cool every level?

[Nyeshet]

The article does note one of the biggest design flaws WotC propagated: The PrCs that gain +1 llevel of spellcasting every level while combining that with powerful abilities that the core classes don't get.

Of course, their solution is to pump up the power of the core classes.

That's because of the fact that the writer did not have the authority to officially change the PrCs to reduce their power. Also, there are so many caster PrCs that it would take a while to go over all of them. Finally, the purpose of the article was to address a concern of the core classes - not retro-re-engineer the caster PrCs. The author of these articles, after all, is basically offering semi-official house rules. His/her/their views are less official than the F.A.Q., and we all know how innaccurate that can be. Now, if this were to appear in an erratta (or perhaps even the FAQ), then we could treat its views as official (or semi-official, as the case may be).

 

[The Human Target]

Do they need them?

Probably not.

Is there any reason not to get them?

Not at all.

 

[Glyfair]

The article does note one of the biggest design flaws WotC propagated: The PrCs that gain +1 llevel of spellcasting every level while combining that with powerful abilities that the core classes don't get.

Not so much. It points out that the first level of a prestige class that gives +1 level of spellcasting and anything else is more attractive than a level of a class that only gives +1 level of spellcasting.

If you counter that, you are very likely to end up with a prestige class that no one takes. If you just give +1 level of spellcasting, you have nothing. What's the point of taking the prestige class if that's what you get?

If you don't give +1 level of spellcasting you need a lot of excellent abilities to even be considered. First, the abilities have to be as useful as the spell levels you are giving up at the lowest level you can take the class. Second, they should probably be better. Why? Because everyone won't take it at the minimum level, and you don't want a prestige class to only be attractive at one level. Second, losing a spellcasting level is huge in long-term character power. Eventually losing that level is going to cost you from having a 9th level spell if you keep going, for example.

 

[Arnwyn]

My poll answer: No...

...but I will say that the WotC article was one of my favorite (non-FR) articles I've seen yet on the WotC website.

Great ideas, there.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Yeah, you only level up 19 times in a "standard" campaign. Why not have a little fun?

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

Read the article. It means something special each level. The monk already gets this, but the sorcerer has 19 of these dead levels. They don't even count the cool things the familiar gets.

Sorry Crothian, I did read the article. I guess I was trying to say that every level gets something even if it's just hitpoints and spells. I don't think special class abilities for every level are necessary. I do think that gains should be balanced out specifically over the 20 levels, however (e.g., levels like 3, 6, 9, etc. can be left blank because those are feat levels).

I think the sorcerer is a poor example because I don't think the class was designed well. Funnily enough, I think the monk is fine.

 

[Henry]

Personally, I believe so; however, I also believe that most classes are built in such a way where the PC is getting something cool each level, even if it's nothing more than the usual feat every 3rd level. To me, skill points are a little too mundane to count as "something" *unless you're a Bard or Rogue) , as is BAB and hit dice. "Something" could be a new spell level, a new feat, a new class ability, or a revision of an old class ability (like evasion --> Improved Evasion).

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

Personally, I believe so; however, I also believe that most classes are built in such a way where the PC is getting something cool each level, even if it's nothing more than the usual feat every 3rd level. To me, skill points are a little too mundane to count as "something" *unless you're a Bard or Rogue) , as is BAB and hit dice. "Something" could be a new spell level, a new feat, a new class ability, or a revision of an old class ability (like evasion --> Improved Evasion).

Basically, what he said

 

[Voadam]

It is better to have something neat (even if it is small) at every level.

 

[Emirikol]

Do you feel that players need something cool every level?

Because D&D is less about the adventure and 95% about Loot & Levels (L&L..not D&D), yea, I've not seen a player yet that stays happy just "playing for fun."

It's a fault of the imperfect 3.x D&D system. There isn't 'something for everyone every level' other than hp's and skill points (yawn). I'd also note that because of D&D's fairly rapid power gain early in a PC's career leaves exponential power desire at higher levels. On the other hand, if 4E goes to massive power gain every level, then it becomes "Power & Paperwork"


jh