Help me make a Prestige Class?

[Dunjin]

I believe that one purpose of a Prestige Class is to reward players who forge relationships with the setting. In my setting, there is a guild of Lawful Neutral rogues that specializes in retrieving stolen or lost items or people. One of my players was an apprentice with this guild, but she left it when a rival loaded a test-trap with live acid and burned up half of her face. I would like to create a Prestige Class to represent the knowledge and skill you get as a ranking member of that guild, in the event she would like to reconcile with the guild.

The problem is, I'm not entirely sure how to craft a Prestige Class such that it's balanced. I know how to make new standard classes and races, but PrCs have so many variables (requirements, etc.) that make it more difficult. Any pointers would be helpful.

So far, the class is a bit like a ranger with roguish skills. I imagine it has d8 hit dice, grants light and medium armor, and gives all simple and certain martial weapon proficiencies (essentially thief weapons). I'd give it the Track feat. I'm also thinking of things like locate object and locate person at medium to high level, Skill Focuses in breaking-and-entering type skills, and some representation of guild resources. A handful of stealth-type spells (spider climb, invisibility, expeditious retreat) would be nice, too.

As a restriction, you must adhere to the guild's rules, which boil down to not taking a burglary job that's not sanctioned by the guild, paying a dues to the guild, and adherence to the guild heirarchy. In addition, you must be available in the event that the local ruler requires spy-type services, as the guild offers itself in that capacity. You must also never knowingly directly oppose another guild member. Lots of rules, but hey, Lawful Neutral rogues' guild.

Anyway, anyone want to take a whack at it? I'm curious what more seasoned PrC crafters might do with the idea.

 

[BSF]

Jay,
I like PrC's. I have created a few myself. But, I do have to ask exactly what do you imagine this PrC being able to do that a single-classed Rogue or even a multi-classed Rogue/Ranger couldn't do?

That being said, how about some feedback for you:

I think you could do away with any gains in the area of weapons and armor. After all, you are basically just rehashing what the character should already have. I suppose if it is a very standardized organization, then there might be basic training to make sure everyone has a base level of abilities.

Is there a reason why you would give out Track instead of requiring it? Why not require some skill focuses to enter instead of handing them out?

What do you envision the entry point for the PrC to be? How common do you envision the PrC to be? What other classes might be able to qualify?

 

[Caliber]

I've designed one or two PrCs (so my no means am I a master) and here are some things that helped me out.

First, read your books. And by this I mean your game books. PrCs are a dime a dozen, with most books having close to 10 or so. Look and see if you can find a class somewhat similar to the one you want.

Its much easier to mod an already existing class into something you want than to design a new one from scratch.

Second, don't fall into the trap of misusing the prereqs. The prereqs shouldn't be a "punishment" for an otherwise broken PrC. And they also shouldn't be a cakewalk, things that the character already has. The PrC should be themantically tied with the class, and make it tough to get into, but not impossible. Requiring Track and maybe some BAB or skill ranks might be a good idea (depending on how you envision the class)

Finally, few PrC give you any weapon or armor proficiencies. Do you see people taking this class receiving basic training in weapons and armor? Or more advanced hunting/tracking/some other weird thing?

Hope I helped!

 

[MerakSpielman]

Here's a good page of user-created PrCs. The Cat Burgler, while not exactly what you're wanting, might be a good starting point for your new class.

 

[Dunjin]

Good point on requirements. Perhaps I should make Tumble, Open Locks and Track particular requirements for the class, along with some Sneak (I merged Hide and Move Silently together). I can't imagine there being a BAB, because it's not a particularly combat-based group. They're mostly set on finding lost items/people, and going and getting them back. I like the ability of that Cat Burglar class to ignore traps without disabling them and the trap-dodging bonuses they get. I also like the idea of rogue-like special abilities rather than a spell list.

The main reason I want to make it a PrC and not a mod-class is that I want it to be something special when the PC gets the class. I'd like it to be a world-specific thing, and I think that's one purpose of PrCs.

I'd imagine rogues and rangers would be best for the class, with bards having a role, as well. I suppose I need to take a look at rogue and ranger-based PrCs (none that I've seen have really interested me so far) and see what's going on in those.