Frenzied Berserker prereqs

[Seule]

The Frenzied Berserker (MotW) is the ultimate berserker. Massive bonuses while frenzying, and loss of self control. Conceptually, the half-orc barbarian should be the obvious choice for class and race to lead into this PrC. Obvious, but according to it's prerequisites, not a good one. Y'see, the Frenzied Berserker needs 4 feats to qualify for the PrC, and a 1/2orc Barb won't have that until 9th level, while, say, a 1/2 orc Fighter2/Barb4 or a human Barb6 can qualify, at 6th level. I don't understand the design decision here, taking the most obvious barbarian PrC and putting it out of easy reach of the most obvious character that should be taking it.

There are a few other classes that have similarly baffling prereqs in MotW, notably that a straight fighter, the master of combat, cannot qualify for the Exotic Weapon Master, and that a Ranger cannot qualify for Animal Lord until 9th level, while a Druid can qualify at 6th, or 5th if Human. I looked at the class, and it screamed Ranger at me. A Druid isn't going to want to give up high level spellcasting for a weenie selection of low level spells, while a Ranger easily could.

If anyone has insight, please post it.

--Seule

 

[Crothian]

Sometimes the fasted way to get to a prestige class is not always the way it was designed. As you note, many of the fatests ways is through multi classing which is being encouraged through these prestige classes. It's been like that for a while.

 

[Grendel]

You make it sound like a half orc there is an upper level limit on who can take this prestige class. Level 9 sound about right to me, since i haven't seen a prestige class that advances beyond level 10.

 

[Crothian]

You make it sound like a half orc there is an upper level limit on who can take this prestige class. Level 9 sound about right to me, since i haven't seen a prestige class that advances beyond level 10.

There is at least one that goes to 13 it's either in Oriental Adventures or one of those books. But you are right, it's nice to get to a prestige class earlier, but core rules goes to level 20. Make it to a prestige class by level 10 and your fine.