PrCl suggestions

[Li Shenron]

I am introducing Prestige Classes to my players; they don't own books other than the PHB, and I just explained them how do they work. I will propose them several PrCls to qualify for, but not all (too many would really bring confusion in the choice), so I decided to make a list of the ones that in my opinion are easy to introduce into the campaign (actually, quite a generic Greyhawk campaign).
I won't offer them PrCl which are too weird or have very strange powers (like Oozemaster and Forsaker for example) neither ones which imply introduction of specific campaign-related groups (such as Knight of the Middle Circle), nor ones with heavy environment dependencies (such as Dread Pirate).
Also, I would prefer classes with a clear identity: I know my players would not be attracted by Weapon Master, since they can easily become weapon experts by simply being Fighters. I mean, they won't be looking for uber-power, but rather for an interesting role in the campaign (both from roleplay and special abilities point of view). Specifically, they'd rather gear toward a new ability than maximization of something.

I have access to DMG, class books (S&F, DotF, T&B, S&S, MotW), MotP and BoVD.

These are the ones I have already "approved":

DMG:
Arcane Archer
Assassin*
Blackguard*
Dwarven Defender
Loremaster

S&F:
Cavalier
Devoted Defender
Duelist

DotF:
Divine Oracle
Templar

T&B:
Acolyte of the Skin
Arcane Trickster
Candlecaster
Elemental Savant
Mage of the Arcane Order (this group exists in our campaign)
True Necromancer

S&S:
<none>

MotW:
Deepwood Sniper

MotP:
(I like them all, but it's maybe too early for a planar adventure)

BoVD:
<none>*

* actually, no PC is Evil at the moment, but I may tell them anyway about these PrCls (they may face foes with them)

Any suggestions?

 

[bret]

S&S:
I would allow the Acrobat and Arcane Trickster.

 

[Stalker0]

S&S:
I would allow the Acrobat and Arcane Trickster.

The arcane trickster is often considering very very powerful, considering he gets spell levels as well.

 

[Baron Von StarBlade]

Actually I'd be concerned about the Templar class. Mettle is pretty darned good and it is often a candidate of Take 1 Level of Templar for Weapon Spec & Evasion for Will/Fort.

Otherwise here are the ones that are pretty good:

- Hunter of the Dead
- Fate Spinner
- Holy Liberator
- Halfling Outrider
- Watch Detective
- Thief Acrobat
- Ghost Walker
- Weapons Master
- Lasher (It's fairly balanced and has that Indiana Jones Flavor to it)

 

[bret]

The arcane trickster is often considering very very powerful, considering he gets spell levels as well.

In play, I don't believe it is overpowered.

You have to give up 4 levels of spellcasting in order to qualify. That is two spell levels behind where a pure mage would be. Not many spell casters are willing to give up that sort of power.

You have to take 5 or 6 levels of spellcasting in order to qualify. You can't qualify and get any of the special rogue feats within the normal advancement. You have also lost at least 2d6 Sneak Attack damage.

I think the WotC web enhancement for Epic play that continues the +1 spellcaster per level is out of balance. I would not allow the PrC to go beyond 10th level Arcane Trickster using the WotC rules. Keep it down to level 20 and below and I think you are fine.

 

[Drawmack]

You're not allowing the spymaster from S&S??????

 

[Li Shenron]

You're not allowing the spymaster from S&S??????

I don't know... it sounds to me a bit weird for a fantasy campaign, seems too "modern" for me. It's very interesting, but also requires the PC to keep those cover idenitities which are a problem to me, since our campaign is very travel-based.

I had the same feeling about the Templar (and in fact I'm not 100% sure of proposing it to the players); I see him more like a guardian of an important religious site, a temple, relic, tomb or oracle, someone who really doesn' travel at all because his mission is to guard a place. For sure early or late I am going to use it for a group of NPCs the PCs may face at the end of a quest.

 

[Apok]

I must second (or was it third?) the Thief Acrobat, an excellent PrC from S&S. Also;

Virtuoso
Dungeon Delver
Vigilante
Drunken Master (I know you said you didn't want anything too strange but this PrC just begs to be roleplayed and it's one of the few interesting ones for Monks out there)
Hospitlar
Sacred Fist
Warpriest

 

[Li Shenron]

(bump)