Prestige Classes need rebalancing?

[satori01]

I am going to offer a controversial opinion and say that prestige classes do not front load enough. Most prestige classes offer initial abillities that are on par with 1-3 level abillities in most classes.

Over the years, I have often heard players remark on how PRC often times are not worth it, because by the time you get the really good stuff in a PRC, you are 17th level and sacraficed all the good class benies.

Yeah, yeah I know the mantra of more specialized not more powerful, but lets face it is a Ranger going to chose to level up to 9th as a Ranger and get Evasion, or take the first level of the Order of the Bow and get + 1d8 dmg with a single shot, and less skill points.

PRC seem great for Fighters, Wizards, Clerics and Sorcerers, classes without a lot of given powers, or focus. For classes that give a multitude of things they seem less apealing.

1st level PRC powers should be = to the minumim level needed to enter the class.

 

[kanithardm]

I agree with you on this, but then again I have only been spellcasters. Those prestige classes are awesome.

 

[sniffles]

I think that's true of some prestige classes, but not all. I actually find it more irritating that prestige classes require prerequisites that are cross-class for the class that is most suited to entering that PrC.

 

[Psion]

I am going to offer a controversial opinion and say that prestige classes do not front load enough. Most prestige classes offer initial abillities that are on par with 1-3 level abillities in most classes.

Most? Or is this just about order of the bow?

And does this factor in the fact that some classes require you to be at a deficit upon entry? (My own take on mystic theurge front loads the class with abilities; IMO is sucks to have to live with a character with split caster levels until the breakneck pace of spellcasting advancement catches you up by 9th level; I'd rather you have as viable a character as possible over the life of the class.)

 

[MerricB]

1st level PRC powers should be = to the minumim level needed to enter the class.

Indeed. This is true of some prestige classes, but not all. The Order of the Bow redesign has severe flaws.

Cheers!

 

[Turanil]

With the prestige classes flood that sank the d20 market during those last years, I think that everyone can find a prestige class that suits his need.

 

[Nighthawk]

I am hesitant to go with the "balancing" definition, as I find that to be an incredibly subjective view that tends to create divisiveness. I would prefer greater consistency, however, as I believe that PrCs are created in many different ways.

Ugh, that did not come out well. I am going to have to rethink this one.

 

[Vocenoctum]

PRC seem great for Fighters, Wizards, Clerics and Sorcerers, classes without a lot of given powers, or focus. For classes that give a multitude of things they seem less apealing.

Fighters are mixed, given feats are still useful, but a lot of Fighter PrC's give feat equivalents, so it's fine. But really, sorcerer's get a free ride in a lot of PrC's, they have nothing but spell progression, so they lose less than anyone else. Though a lot of Cleric PrC's give full spells PLUS full turning, which is unbalancing.

Rangers are a bad example, simply because they (and rogues & Monks) get stuff nearly every level now.Paladins and Barbarians are middle of the road, getting stuff, but it's more scattered. Bardic PrC's in general give spellcasting progression as well as bardic music progression of a sort, so they lose less.

1st level PRC powers should be = to the minumim level needed to enter the class.

The worst offender for me, is the ones that give their own spellprogression. It's mostly a waste of time to have a spell progression worse than a paladin or ranger at your level. (And those two progressions aren't really that great either.)

Characters with PrC's should be balanced against equal level PC's withough, but so often I don't take a PrC because of feat choices. Quite often, PrC's they think are "too good" are countered with Useless Feat prereq's that just send me elsewhere. A feat should be thematically linked at least, but how many CW PrC's had Combat Expertise? It's a defensive feat, not a "skillful" feat. (IMO ofc)

 

[Sledge]

Problem never was too many prestige classes. It was always too many badly designed prestige classes. 90% of prestige classes I've seen are garbage.

 

[interwyrm]

Maybe a better solution is replacement level options for some classes?