Prestige Classes being Privilages?

[Xarlen]

But not every PrC has to do with an Organization. Infact, I would hope they wouldn't.

 

[cptg1481]

Loove It......

Not sure if I agree with you on this one. ..... Just because a character doesn't have all the prerequisites necessary to qualify for a prestige class doesn't mean that he doesn't live that particular vocation. For example, a 3rd level Rogue might not be able to qualify for the Thief Acrobat class, but the right skills, feats, and attitude can certainly create a young Thief Acrobat who is still perfecting his craft. In some situations, a prestige class is less a matter of questing than a matter of practice.

I am starting a new game and I am with you on this one....my NPC's will not go around saying I'm a fighter, wizard, adept....etc.

It'll be more like I am "Sword Master", or something flashy.... like "The Red Rider" [/I] for fighters [/I].

I am a warrior of the Bear Claw Clan for a Barbarian (I doubt that they refer to themselves as barbarians).

I am Voltan, "Spell Slinger [/I] Wizard [/I] of for the Frightful Fingers" (an adventuring group), I am a dabbler in the arcane arts.

I am "Lord Hausfus" [/I] aristocrat, not a fighter (much more ambiguous[/I].

I am "Captain of the Red Company" [/I] like above, perhaps a fighter, paladin, what? In this case a cleric [/I].

I am a sort of "Problem Solver" [/I] assassin [/I].

I make a fair living in the "Street Trade" [/I] thief...expert....street cleaner, garbage man, who knows [/I].

Even a [/I] Spell Sword (PRC) [/I], might just be "Lieutenant Joril", who refers to himself as a "Simple Soldier".

There are infinite possibility for ambiguous names, perhaps a [/I] Fighter/Duelist (PRC) [/I], who wears no visible armor and dressed in a foppish manner has always flippantly referred to himself as simply "A Simple Bastard".

Eddited: What the heck happened to my italics?

 

[hong]

Actually I don't agree and it is one of my biggest concerns with a lot of the 'hey this is a cool shtick PrCs'.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with "cool schtick" PrCs.

If as you said a Thief Acrobat is just a better Rogue with a key selection of Feats and Skills then it makes the PrC pointless (and a crutch)

Better at what?

a PrC shouldn't be crutch it should help define a setting and at the very least require those of the class to join an organisation to access its goodies...

A PrC _also_ helps define a character's identity. A thief/acrobat is more than just a rogue with super powers; it's an _acrobat_. Super powers are a dime a dozen at high levels, given the presence of magic; but not everybody can be a member of a prestige class. If you want a PrC to fill a definite role in a setting, then it's your job as a DM to define that role.

 

[MerricB]

Don't forget the seven types of Prestige Class per the 3.2 revision:

* race
* party role
* situational
* iconic
* game function (does things other characters can't, like the Spellsword)
* transformation (turns into something else), and
* world-specific

Some of those types should be selected as a goal from 1st level, others are developed into at a later date.

Cheers!

 

[Apok]

Um... yeah! What hong said.

 

[Tonguez]

A PrC _also_ helps define a character's identity. A thief/acrobat is more than just a rogue with super powers; it's an _acrobat_. Super powers are a dime a dozen at high levels, given the presence of magic; but not everybody can be a member of a prestige class.

Oh Hong my dear I agree with you entirely.

Now lets look at what Synicism said shall we

a 3rd level Rogue might not be able to qualify for the Thief Acrobat class, but the right skills, feats, and attitude can certainly create a young Thief Acrobat who is still perfecting his craft.

If Player 1 can create a Thief Acrobat via a Rogue with the right set of skills, feats and attitude then what role does this PrC fill? Yes the PrC is an acrobat - could I do the same thing with a few cool feats and a high tumble/balance skill?

If so then the PrC is redundant and I may as well have a rogue specialising in Tightrope walking who is also a member of Wigleys Travelling Circus (and thus gains the Acrobatics Feat because he spends 7 hours each day practicing)

If you want a PrC to fill a definite role in a setting, then it's your job as a DM to define that role.

again I agree with you entirely dear Hong

and this is the main reason I don't like nor often use the Splatbook PrCs - if they have no logical existance except as cool Shtick then why use them?

oh and cptg1481

Thats exactly what I do imc

for instance the Troubadors of the Grand Circus Maximus included a Ranger (Griffon Tamer and Animal Trainer), 2 Fighters (one of which could play the Mandolin), a Rogue (specialised Knife-thrower and Juggler), a Druid, a Alchemist (Scorcerer with a pechant for Fireworks and simlar explosives), and NPC Expert (Prof: Accounting) and strangely enough no Bards!

 

[hong]

If Player 1 can create a Thief Acrobat via a Rogue with the right set of skills, feats and attitude then what role does this PrC fill? Yes the PrC is an acrobat - could I do the same thing with a few cool feats and a high tumble/balance skill?

If so then the PrC is redundant

If a player wants to take the PrC, then it's not redundant. It may not be _appropriate_ to your setting (eg the true necromancer wouldn't work in a world where there's no undead), but that's something else entirely.

and I may as well have a rogue specialising in Tightrope walking who is also a member of Wigleys Travelling Circus (and thus gains the Acrobatics Feat because he spends 7 hours each day practicing)

It ain't your rogue, it's your player's.

and this is the main reason I don't like nor often use the Splatbook PrCs - if they have no logical existance except as cool Shtick then why use them?

Because your players like them? Because their existence is unlikely to unbalance the game, but give people options that add flavour and individuality to their characters?

If it's so important to you, go right ahead and _give_ them a reason for existing. It's not that hard.

 

[National Acrobat]

As a DM I exercise total control over whether a prestige class is appropriate for my game and my campaign. It's that simple. If someone approaches me regarding the prestige class and I think that it is a good fit for the character and the campaign, then I let them know what they will have to do in order to achieve the class. Sometimes it is a quest, sometimes it is a training period. It all depends on the campaign. I also do not allow most of the prestige classes and do not use most of the splatbooks either, so that also cuts down on the prestige class issue.

It works the same way in the campaign that I am a player in. In fact, my DM is even stricter than I am. At this point (we are 5th level) he has allowed a grand total of 2 prestige classes from 2 of the splat books.

 

[hong]

As a DM I exercise total control over whether a prestige class is appropriate for my game and my campaign. It's that simple. If someone approaches me regarding the prestige class and I think that it is a good fit for the character and the campaign, then I let them know what they will have to do in order to achieve the class.

Strangely enough, that's what I do too.

 

[Zappo]

I have a serious campaign and a beer'n'pretzels campaign going on. In the first, I require any character who wants to take up a PrC to do something which lets him access the PrC's training. Sometimes that's already specified in the PrC's requirements (eg. 'make contact with an outsider...'). Most of the times, its just 'find another member of the PrC and get him to train you'. Occasionally, it's something different.

In the second campaign, you got the requirements, you get the levels.