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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dagredhel" data-source="post: 349367" data-attributes="member: 3421">Hi Ace.  I think your concept is pretty cool, and I like your descriptive text, but I also think your PrC needs some work balance-wise.  Here is my critique:1) The requirements are too low, especially for a PrC that packs such a punch (pun intended.)  Normally, PrCs have requirements that demand an entrant be around 6th level, if not higher.  The requirements should be more stringent if the benefits of the PrC are especially good.  A higher BAB requirement is a start.  And a BAB of 3+ is actually superfluous, as it is a prerequisite for the Expert Tactician feat also required.2) 4 skill points per level is high for a PrC that only has 7 class skills.3) A few of the special abilities you've developed use a rule mechanic that involves substituting a single AoO to receive the benefit.  But this is seriously mitigated by the fact that the Hala Practitioner will have Combat Reflexes (and likely a good Dex.)  Further, while Attacks of Opportunity can only be used when the situation warrants it, and only once against a given opponent, the trade-off benefits would be utilizable in every melee.  Often, the character would be trading off an AoO that he couldn't use anyway!4) As a 5-level PrC, the Hala Practitioner is unquestionably, tremendously overpowered, receiving 3 bonus feats and something like 4 special abilities, with better skills and skill points than the Fighter, d10 HD, a good Reflex Save, and the best BAB progression.  Spreading the progression over 10 levels would help to balance it.5) Most, if not all of the class' special abilities and pseudo-feats should be restricted to use when unarmored and not heavily encumbered.6) I have no idea what this is supposed to mean: It does sound interesting, though.7) Receiving both Improved Trip and Improved Disarm at the same (3rd) level is much, much too powerful.  A Fighter receives a bonus feat every other level, by comparison.8) "Breaking Open": Again, way too powerful: This special ability would grant an effective attack bonus (AC penalty) to one attack directed at a particular foe each round, equal to the character's level in the prestige class.  With Attacks of Opportunity, the character might even receive the bonus versus multiple adversaries.  This ability should be reworked, or severely restricted in usages per day.9) "Master of Opportunity": I think you should consider making the additional AoO equal to the character's Int or Wis bonus, as is done for some of the official WOTC PrCs, rather than doubling the Dex bonus.10) If you draw out the class to 10 levels, consider adding an ability akin to the Duelist's Precise Strike ability (Sword and Fist) that applies to the Hala Practitioner's unarmed attacks.I hope it doesn't sound like I'm being overly harsh.  If I didn't think the PrC had great potential and a solid concept behind it, I wouldn't have posted.</blockquote>

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