No Prestige classes allowed

[GlassJaw]

While I don't mind certain PrC's, playing in a campaign like this wouldn't bother me at all. I'd actually prefer a campaign that only uses the base classes too. Most of the variant classes that I've seen are absolutely horrible.

 

[Ghendar]

Prestige classes are unnecessary.

you're right.

However, they can be fun. Most of the 3.x campaigns I've been involved in have used them quite liberally. No one seems to want to just run that (pick your class) up to level 20 though.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Does anyone play in / run a game where Prestige classes are not allowed?

Of course! HERO and SilCore don't even have classes, much less prestige ones.

How has that worked out?

Just fine.

In D&D 3.x, I doubt I would play in such a game if that restriction were put out there up front, because it smacks of a GM who cares far too much about what I'm doing with my character for me to be comfortable. I often don't use Prestige Classes for my characters, though, because of the specific requirements.

 

[Woas]

I run a game that does not allow PrCs.

They just cause problems.

 

[Ghendar]

I run a game that does not allow PrCs.

They just cause problems.

Care to elaborate? I'm interested in what problems arise because of PrCs's.

 

[Remathilis]

Met someone who only allowe Eldrich Knight, Arcane Trickster, and Mystic Theurge, but nothing else (they were consessions to people wanting to play 2e multiclassed PCs)

Me, I allow them and use them.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I've never played or run a game that disallowed PrCs, though I have played in games where the PCs never took one. I think they're great, especially from the DMing side. They're a quick and easy way to give villians neat abilities. I can't imagine banning PrCs in my games, because that would be restricting me!

 

[Cor Azer]

I run a game that does not allow PrCs.

They just cause problems.

I sort of agree with this, but not fully. The idea of presitge classes doesn't cause a problem for me, but far too many of the actual implementations of prestige classes do.

I don't specifically disallow prestige classes, but I try to keep them closer to the original (as I understand it) concept - ie, they represent special organizations in the campaign world. In that vein, my games use almost no published prestige classes; they're either scratch designed by the player and myself, or a heavily modified by player and myself published one to fit into the campaign world.

I would have no problem playing in a game that completely disallowed prestige classes - by default they're an optional rule, so there's no reason for players to expect them, let alone demand them. But then, I get to play so rarely, that there are still a ton of character concepts I can run just out of the Player's Handbook that I have yet to get to.

 

[Gold Roger]

Removing PrC's shouldn't produce any problem and I think there's a bunch of good reasons to remove them.

PrC's do add to the game, but they can also detract. I say go for it, though, if your players like variety, you may want to offer some sort of compensation (I've often seen the offer to convert PrC features to feats and in the past made the offer myself), though it is far from required.

 

[Umbran]

Not expressly forbidden, but I've not used any for NPCs, and no players have asked for them yet, either. I expect the campaign could well go without them ever being mentioned.