[Hivemind] Through the looking glass

[Eternalknight]

I don't see a problem with using ability stats as a requirement Monte Cook or no Monte Cook. It doesn't affect game balance, so I don't see the issue.

I disagree on this one DG. For all the reasons Crothian said.

 

[Carnifex]

I don't see a problem with using ability stats as a requirement Monte Cook or no Monte Cook. It doesn't affect game balance, so I don't see the issue.

Yep. I also see it as, in some cases, an integral part of the flavour of the PrC.

"The Black Hounds don't accept weaklings, stranger! You have to prove your endurance and strength over our five days of trials; it sorts out the strong from the weak..."

Or whatever...

 

[Dungannon]

I think it depends on the specific PrC, and the idea behind it. After all, you have PrCs that are dependent on race and alignment, and those are pretty much set at first level just like attribute scores.

 

[Eternalknight]

OK, in some cases, possibly, but still....

I don't want this mag to look like a bad set of house rules.

 

[Carnifex]

I think it depends on the specific PrC, and the idea behind it. After all, you have PrCs that are dependent on race and alignment, and those are pretty much set at first level just like attribute scores.

This is my point. I don't think that the idea of ability scores being used as prereq's for a PrC should be invalidated just because Motne Cook says so, especially when it really doesn't unbalance the game in any major way when done in a sensible manner, as with any PrC prereq.

My, this is some very topic-based Hivemind chatter

 

[Eternalknight]

I think it depends on the specific PrC, and the idea behind it. After all, you have PrCs that are dependent on race and alignment, and those are pretty much set at first level just like attribute scores.

But they are all character choices.

 

[Crothian]

Well, as it stands now many people look at attribute requirements on prestige classes as bad mechanics. Now, you might feel you are justified in having them, but that's the way the majority of informed gamers see it.

 

[Carnifex]

But they are all character choices.

And if you use points buy (and I think many people do), so are ability scores...

 

[Eternalknight]

And if you use points buy (and I think many people do), so are ability scores...

Yes, but that is only if you use points buy. So, it is only a choic some of the time. Race and alignment, feats, skills etc are character choices all of the time.

 

[Carnifex]

Well, as it stands now many people look at attribute requirements on prestige classes as bad mechanics. Now, you might feel you are justified in having them, but that's the way the majority of informed gamers see it.

You see, I disagree with this too. There;s no indication that the bulk of people *do* look on attribute scores as bad mechanics, mainly because they're not bad mechanics.

I think most people would look at an ability score requirement, and just shrug and get on with reading the other requirements. As long as ability scores aren't suddenly brought in en masse for every PrC and its dog - because most PrC's don;t need ability score prereqs, but that doesn't mean its not suitable for some...