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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Desdichado" data-source="post: 1230261" data-attributes="member: 2205">A lot of the points made in this thread echo what was said in <a href="https://www.enworld.org/index.php?threads/68764/" target="_blank">this thread that I started</a> right here.  Let me summarize (and expand) upon some relevant opinions of mine, many of them in that thread already, others more specific to prestige classes.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Many character concepts are not well served by the base classes.  Multiclassing is a poor fit to build some concepts, as is a prestige class.  Prestige classes are particularly poor fits for something like the Duelist, for example.  The Duelist shouldn't be a concept that you have to graduate to, it should be a combat option on par with that offered by the fighter class, or the barbarian class.  The other thread focused particularly on the "swashbuckler" as a great example of a missing core concept for a class.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The idea that multiclassing gives you penalties that "are the price you pay for versatility" is a non sequitur.  When desiring a concept such as the swashbuckler, you don't want versatility, you just want a concept not covered by the core rules.  To constantly hear "that's the price you pay for versatility" is kinda annoying when I complain that a fighter/rogue character isn't a good swashbuckler because it gives you all kinds of class features that have nothing to do with your concept, and doesn't give you some basic, obvious features that should feature into your concept.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">My preferred solution, and luckily by pruning from what's in print this isn't terribly difficult to do, is to expand the list of alternate core classes considerably, or/and admit core classes that are much more flexible than most of the core classes in the PHB.  Some particular favorites of mine include the Unfettered from Arcana Unearthed, the Wildlander and Defender from Midnight, and the Courier from Rokugan, for instance.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Where does that leave prestige classes, then, and how do they fit into the picture?  I think Prestige classes are fine as long as certain parameters are followed:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Relatively few in number.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Represent a concept that requires considerable work, experience and training to realize so it makes sense that you can't take levels in it at first level, OR</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Represent a specific campaign organization whose members are known for their particular (and unique) abilities.</li> </ul></li> </ul></blockquote>

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