PrC's - at whose discretion?

[Snoweel]

I'm wondering what the general feeling is here on the availablility of character classes (and prestige classes in particular) to PC's.

Do you think a DM should require that an element of RP should occur before a player adds a level of a PrC (or even a core class), or should players have free reign to "build his/her character toward this or that PrC", even though that character may never be offered membership in the organisation in question (and may even end up an enemy)?

Likewise, should it be solely up to the player whether or not his/her character can suddenly add a level of a new core class, particularly magic-using classes.

Can a player suddenly decide that Sir Klonky has begun manifesting sorcerous powers? Or that Mevlar the Dwarf has just taken a level of Wizard, despite having never met a Wizard.

And if Wizardry supposedly requires a lengthy apprenticeship before achievement of 1st level, how does this affect PC's multiclassing into Wizard? Likewise other core classes.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

I let my players pick any class they want and are qualified for when they level, if I get the chance to look it over first. There are a couple PrCs specifically banned in my games, of which the Forsaker is the most obvious.

Usually, I just assume that there's enough magic around that if someone wants to learn it in their downtime, they can. I've removed Wizard and use Sorceror as the main arcane-casting class, and assume that people can develop the talent if they really want it.

 

[johnsemlak]

Certainly, DMs should be in controll of all aspects of the game you mentioned, particularly which PrCs (if any) are allowed.

Now, as far as deciding whch class to level up in if a character has two classes, I think a reasonable DM would allow players to decide themselves as much as possible, though, as always, it's up to the DM.

The important thing is to keep it fun.

I personally don't like players 'picking up' core classes along the way and I think either players should start multiclassed from the beginning (as per rules in the DMG on that) or if they take on a new class, undergo a significant period of training, apprenticeship, etc. IMO, it should be very difficult. However, that's my opinion and also a DM should probably at least consider the opinions of their players.

Just my 74 kopeks

 

[arwink]

If somone rocks up on gameday and says "I'm leveling up as blah," it'd better be some organisation they've had contact with as some easy rational for where the training comes from.

If they send me an e-mail months before they meet the requirements, I'll usually find a way to work whatever they want to become into the game.

 

[hong]

If somone rocks up on gameday and says "I'm leveling up as blah," it'd better be some organisation they've had contact with as some easy rational for where the training comes from.

If they send me an e-mail months before they meet the requirements, I'll usually find a way to work whatever they want to become into the game.

That's pretty much what I do too.

 

[Fenes 2]

I'd like (and require even) that players tell me their desires beforehand, so that I can plan for it an work it in the campaign. If a player wanted to multiclass, I would want to know that at least one level before the event, so that I can build in training etc.

 

[haiiro]

I let players know before the game that if they want to build towards a certain PrC they should give me some advance notice. The same goes for multiclassing, although often to a slightly lesser extent. That way I can work it into the campaign, even if it's something as simple as saying "during the winter months when it's too cold to travel, you spend your time closeted away in the wizard's tower learning the basics of arcane magic."

If there are any PrCs I'm not going to allow in a game, I let the players know that beforehand. If new ones come out, they know to run them by me before assuming that they can take them.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Everything requires an in-game justification; Just knowing about something isn't enough (I know about Rocket Science, but NASA's not exactly gonna give me a job).

Sometimes past experience works (i.e., six months in the wilderness would justify a Level of Ranger).

Sometimes present training is required (i.e., learning the lore of Wizardry).

And sometimes very specific in-game conditions are essential (any Prestige Class).