I'm loving 5-level PrClasses

[philreed]

What is it with 5-level PrCs? For every PC ability except iterative attacks, 4 levels is a "rounder" number. (Saves, BAB, spell progression, bonus Feats, Sneak Attack, etc... these things seem to happen every 2 or 4 levels.)

-- N, a fan of 4-level PrCs

And, since most classes are front-loaded (especially with saves) taking multiple short PrCs (or even just first level in several different classes) is mechanically better for a character.

After all, a 1st-level paladin that advances to 2nd-level can choose to take 1st-level in fighter and bump his Fort save to +4 (and gain a bonus feat) instead of 2nd-level in paladin (which would bump his Fort save to +3). Sure he gives up lay on hands and Divine Grace (which, arguably, is way better than an extra +1 to Fort saves) but all he has to do is grab paladin 2 at 3rd level. We're now at +5 Fort save and have 3 feats (4 if a human). This gives him as many feats as a 3rd-level fighter, with better Fort saves (and if his Charisma 14 or higher, not unexpected for a paladin, a better Ref and Will save than a straight fighter or paladin with 13- Charisma).

 

[Ace]

First it was the Master of Radiance excerpt from Libris Mortis...

Now the Thief-Acrobat excerpt from Complete Adventurer...

I'm loving more and more these 5-level PrClasses!

Me too. I find the 5 level PRC's allow you to tune your character a bit without the PRC dominating the character. Also 5 levels let you get the cool stuff in a reasonable time , explore the powers of a multi class character and even have 2 different and interesting PRCs-- say Ftr 4 Rog 6 Acrobat 5 Something Else 5--

Oh yeah -- I love the new Thief Acrobat. This is the first version I have ever really wanted to play

 

[jaerdaph]

I love the 10-Level Basic Class -> 10-Level Advanced Class -> 5-Level Prestige Class model of d20 Modern.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I kinda thought it sucked that the new thief acrobat lost it's most potent ability - the one which lets it make a sneak attack after a charge with a successful tumble check.

OTOH, the other abilities look like they're actually worthwhile...

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Agreed. I like it when the PrC isn't forced into a specific number of levels. Heck, look at the True Necromancer. 14 levels, I believe.

 

[philreed]

Agreed. I like it when the PrC isn't forced into a specific number of levels. Heck, look at the True Necromancer. 14 levels, I believe.

My only real complaint with that PrC is that you have to take Clr3/Wiz 3 to meet the prereqs and then if you take all 14 levels you're done. Not a lot of room for customization with so many levels in True Necromancer.

 

[Crothian]

My only real complaint with that PrC is that you have to take Clr3/Wiz 3 to meet the prereqs and then if you take all 14 levels you're done. Not a lot of room for customization with so many levels in True Necromancer.

Well, that assumes people are only going to 20th level and the rules seem to work pretty well to go beyond that.

 

[Wolf72]

haven't (and prob won't ) used the Dragon-rider PrC from the Draconomicon, but I like the way it looks. I tried to make one a couple of years ago (maybe just last year?) and it turned out very [not good].

I'd like to see some more 5 and 3 lvl PrC's ... (I like the ones in DLCS)

 

[MerricB]

I kinda thought it sucked that the new thief acrobat lost it's most potent ability - the one which lets it make a sneak attack after a charge with a successful tumble check.

Yes, the "I just got sneak attacked because I couldn't believe what the TA just did!" ability.

Of course, most of the time, a rogue only gets to charge someone in the first round of the combat... when they're flat-footed anyway...

Cheers!

 

[Knight Otu]

...but all he has to do is grab paladin 2 at 3rd level.

Which, of course only works if you nix the multiclass restrictions.

Anyone remember which book was the first to introduce non-10 level PrCs? I think it was the Forgotten Realms setting, which had the first 5 level classes or Oriental Adventures, which had a 14(?) level class.