Has anyone tried to create 3-level prc?

[Skaven_13]

I've just started running again (still wiping off the rust), and I was thinking about creating more 3 level prestige classes like the wayfarers to represent fighting schools or members of organizations.

Unfortunately real life keeps intruding, so it keeps me from putting a lot of time into it. Does anyone have any guidelines or tips from past experience on creating something like this?

Thanks for looking,

Skaven13

 

[the Jester]

Not necessarily for organizations, but I have written three prcs with three levels:

The Accursed (basically someone who has been cursed lots, who learns to turn curses around and to survive the worst of them)
Sensitive of Yara (focused on perceptions; at third level they gain true sight 1/day)
Symphonic Maestro (bard focused on group performances)

I have a prestige class document with all my (pc available) prestige classes in it at my Yahoo group, called 'Cydra.'

 

[yennico]

I would not allow three level prcs because:
- to enter a prc a character has to make choices in feats, skills etc. These choices have not to be always the best choices (e.g. skill focus in a skill).
- most prcs give a boost in saves at level one. Taking three level 3 prcs for nine levels is a way to get more powerful than taking one level 10 prc.
- if give one special ability or feat every level the three level prc is very good and powerful.

IMHO you should expand the three level prc at least to five levels.

 

[HellHound]

I enjoy 3-level PrCs, and have written a bunch - also all the paragon classes are basically prestige classes (well, 3-level core classes I guess).

I agree that multi-class syndrome results in very high base saves however - but the upside is that it typically results in low base attack bonuses unless each class is a fighter-based class.

I know a lot of games where the base saves for strong saves in all but your first class have been reduced by +1, or in some games +2.

 

[Bront]

I would not allow three level prcs because:
- to enter a prc a character has to make choices in feats, skills etc. These choices have not to be always the best choices (e.g. skill focus in a skill).
- most prcs give a boost in saves at level one. Taking three level 3 prcs for nine levels is a way to get more powerful than taking one level 10 prc.
- if give one special ability or feat every level the three level prc is very good and powerful.

IMHO you should expand the three level prc at least to five levels.

-Many of the 3 level PrCs don't have the stranger requirements to get in them, so are generaly a bit easier and less costly to get in.
-PrCs loose out in the low save area when multi-classing. So, if all your classes happen to have the same high and low saves, one of your saves might suck significantly worse than it normaly would. Plus, BAB usually suffers unless you get a high BAB class.
-PrCs are supposed to be more powerfull than regular classes, to a point. Consider that someone who takes any PrC will never get the top levels of the base class, where often cool and usefull powers await (Particularly for Monks, Druids, Paladins, Rangers, and Barbs, not so much spellcasters (you often still gain spells), rogues and fighters)) and it's a tradeoff. If a PrC's powers are too cool for the level they get them, then it's probably too easy to get into. Usually, a PrC's powers are a bit more focused and limited in scope than a base class, and while powerful, are not significantly more powerfull than the base class.

 

[Skaven_13]

I'm not overly concerned about my players grabbing up prestige classes left and right for the bonuses. I have looked over the characters, and each player already has a prc that they are looking towards. It's a group that I've been playing with for awhile.

The prc's that I'm wanting to come up with would be tied to an organization/school/etc, and keeps a roleplaying element as a requirement. And while expanding to a 5 level prc might be good for some of what I want to do, I think that it is too many levels tied up in something like a organization that enhances a players skills/abilities a little.

Like the paragon's linking a player with their race, I could see this as connection for the pc's to what they belong to in the world, if they want that option.

I'll look back over the paragons and the wayfarers, and take a look at some of the links. Keep the suggestions coming please.

Skaven13

 

[Nifft]

I've done lots of 3 & 4 level PrCs. They're very useful for exactly what you want to use them for -- take a look at "official" sources like the CWar's Exotic Weapon Master.

-- N

 

[Thanee]

I would not allow three level prcs because:
- to enter a prc a character has to make choices in feats, skills etc. These choices have not to be always the best choices (e.g. skill focus in a skill).
- most prcs give a boost in saves at level one. Taking three level 3 prcs for nine levels is a way to get more powerful than taking one level 10 prc.
- if give one special ability or feat every level the three level prc is very good and powerful.

IMHO you should expand the three level prc at least to five levels.

You can already do that! Pick up three PrC and go to level 3 only in each.

It's called multiclassing.

The only thing to make sure is, that the requirements to get in balance the abilities gained.

Of course a 3-level PrC should not grant as powerful abilities at the highest level as a 10-level PrC.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

-PrCs loose out in the low save area when multi-classing. So, if all your classes happen to have the same high and low saves, one of your saves might suck significantly worse than it normaly would.

Not if you get exactly 3 (or 6, 9, etc) levels of every class you obtain.

Bye
Thanee