I want my Prestige classes

[megamania]

Currently my GM is leery to allow prestige classes. Leery to the point of making it near impossible to do so. I find it annoying and in someways wrong. What do others think?

 

[LuYangShih]

I can understand your DMs point of view. Too many people view PrCs as nothing more than "kewl powers", and take them for no apparent reason. If it makes sense for your character to possess such powers, and you have an RP reason to take it, then I see no problems, but that's rarely the case. If you really do want a Prestige Class, put it into your character history, and explain why he would be able to possess abilities of the Prestige Class you're looking into, and why he would pursue that path in the first place.

Prestige Classes can really add a lot to character development, and even world development, but all too often they end up being nothing more than another way to min-max a character.

 

[megamania]

The character I was going to use was brand new. I could easily have done that but he said no. The following week he e-mails the group making it clear he will rarely if ever allow a prestige class. I feel like I am limited to the Players book only for ideas. It taxes my creativity!!!!

 

[Hardhead]

The character I was going to use was brand new. I could easily have done that but he said no. The following week he e-mails the group making it clear he will rarely if ever allow a prestige class. I feel like I am limited to the Players book only for ideas. It taxes my creativity!!!!

I'd agree with your DM. I'd be very leerly of allowing a character to start with a PrC. And there's nothing wrong with making PrCs rare in a world. That was sort of the original intention, actually.

 

[Terraism]

The character I was going to use was brand new. I could easily have done that but he said no. The following week he e-mails the group making it clear he will rarely if ever allow a prestige class. I feel like I am limited to the Players book only for ideas. It taxes my creativity!!!!

Out of curiousity - and because it's relevant - what were you planning on using? And, anyway - if you're using a new PC, it'll prob'bly be a while before you get to that point. I guess whether it taxes your creativity or not depends on how essential you feel that Prestige Classes are. I personally think it depends on the setting, actually (but I'm betting most people don't share that opinion.)

 

[LuYangShih]

What kind of character are you planning on making, anyway? I doubt it would be that difficult to make something close to what you want using the core rulebooks. And like I said, I can understand your DMs point of view. If Prestige Classes are not limited, they lose their "Prestige". Every single PC in the gameworld will have at least one Prestige Class, if it is unlimited, and the core classes will become nothing more than avenues to the Prestige Class of your choice.

A lot of DMs have the opinion that Prestige Classes should be something special, unique, and hard to attain. This may be the reason your DM doesn't want you coming in with a Prestige Class, as the character never really had to work hard to get to the class.

 

[megamania]

Since Vander played with a deck of many things I get to bring in a level 6 character. I am tired of playing Clerics and Fighters but we have 4 (of 6) arcane magic users now. Seeing no sense in bringing in another mage I thought I would try a rogue. Still, we did need an "front line" guy so I had hoped to use a prestige class from a Dragon Magazine.

Not allowed.

Meanwhile,

A. This world is a nexus world where folks from other worlds and realities come and go

B. Someone else in the group asked to use a similiar character and told he and the DM could work it out. (but not me)

It's $%#@$^^

Makes me go ahead and play an arcane user and the hell with party balance.

 

[megamania]

whoa.


Didn't expect people to be the DM's side.

Why print so many Prestige classes every where then if they are not ment to be seen often? Why make them attainable at low levels of 4-6? Why not epic level instead?

Dosen't add up to me.

 

[LuYangShih]

If you've got the Psionics Handbook, a Psychic Warrior could be interesting and fun to play. Which particular Prestige Class were you planning on getting? My advice to you would be to create a character history that indicates skill or a focus in the area of said Prestige Class, and begin working towards the Prestige Class once you enter the game.

Talk to the DM, and explain what you want to do. Don't get mad about this, as it will only hurt your case. If you can convince the DM you are willing to work towards the Prestige Class, and have a good reason for doing so, I'm sure he'd let you at least try. If not, and you just aren't having fun anymore, leave the campaign.

Not everyones playstyle is going to be the same, and if you find your playstyle conflicts too heavily with the DMs, and you are not enjoying yourself anymore, simply leave. There are other things to do with your time, and you shouldn't play D&D unless you're having fun. It is a game, after all.

 

[Terraism]

whoa.

Didn't expect people to be the DM's side.

Why print so many Prestige classes every where then if they are not ment to be seen often? Why make them attainable at low levels of 4-6? Why not epic level instead?

Dosen't add up to me.

[Laugh.] I like the "didn't expect people..."

Mega, I think the reason that there are so many P-classes around is due to the initial "coolness factor" and the fact that, with the OGL, it's really easy for the market to end up with a glut. Prestige classes can fill several roles, depending on how the DM/Players want them too. Some people prefer to keep them rare, so that there is actually some prestige in having them, and others want them widely available. It's just a taste thing, really.

Now, as far as your case goes, if someone else is allowed to do it, then you might want to talk to your DM aside and tell him what you were hoping for, and see if you can work something out.