ruleslawyer said:
LokiDR: Number of good points you raise regarding arcane PrCs. To which PrCs are you referring besides the arcane trickster and MotAO, BTW?
Also, keep in mind that those feat-vs.-feat equations aren't quite fair. Most PrCs do require suboptimal feats, after all.
Re: the toad - rather dumb on my part. The point was that a familiar isn't such a bad thing to have in general; being able to increase its powers and general survivability therefore are good things.
As for arcane PrCs in general: I agree that there are many that are just plain deadly; that was kinda my point re: the incanatrix not being particularly "broken" as these PrCs go. The problem, as I see it, is that either arcane PrCs are next to useless (those that do not offer +1 existing spellcasting progression) or almost certainly likely to be over-mighty (those that offer such progression). Even the core-rules loremaster, for instance, can be a much better path for either a wizard or sorcerer than going straight single-class.
I agree that some PrC require sub-optimal feats. Otherwise, no one in their right mind would not take them. I don't think your arguement against them is that strong, but it is at least there. There is something to be said for the base classes, even after the 6th level mark of entry into most PrC.
As for familars, I thought they have half the HP of the mage, regardless of classes. Which means finding classes with other HD are better for your familar.
The PrC that require, say, 3rd level arcane spell but don't improve spellcasting stink IMO. Some, though, seem to provide interesting options. Take spellsword. I like the idea. But several abilities are made worthless by PrC like Geomancer and DC smackdowns. I would like all PrC on the same field, but that would only happen if I rewrote them all. I not obsessed enough to do that....yet
Others PrC seem to be just be missing lines. If a Candle Caster gets spellcasting at every level, and eventually maximize these, why can't a Blood Magus get at least 3/4 of their levels in spellcasting? Again, an idea I really like with weak rules behind it.
I would have to say that for most PrC, removing one or two bonuses to spellcasting through the whole progression would be best. With spells and the abilities they get, I don't see a good reason for full spellcasting. Half the levels is harsh though.
P.S.
Ok, so the True Necromancer is lame, but as mentioned, the Elemental Savant has nine levels of spell casting for energy immunity.
