prestige domains - virtually impossible to get?

[luke_twigger]

The Defenders of the Faith (DotF) book lists some 14 new "prestige" domains but, unless I'm missing something, they're practically impossible to gain access to? I've looked through all the prestige classes in DotF and come up with the following list of ones that give you a prestige domain. So the bulk of the prestige domains (all marked *) are only open to one single class - Contemplative, and a pre-requisite of that class is "direct contact with one's patron deity" like that happens a lot.

Any ideas?

Also, Sacred Fist gives you a Free Domain ability, does this mean only one of the regular domains in the PHB or does it include these new prestige domains?

Luke


Church Inquisitor Inquisition
Contemplative Any 2
Divine Oracle Divination
Sacred Exorcist Exorcism
Warpriest Glory/Domination

Beastmaster*
Celerity*
Community*
Creation*
Divination
Domination
Exorcism
Glory
Inquisition
Madness*
Mind*
Mysticism*
Pestilence*
Summoning*

 

[Little_Buddha]

The requirement isn't quite that bad, although it's not as easy as most prestige classes (then again, this prestige class is only open to those of at least character level ten!).

"Must have had direct contact with one's patron deity or a direct servant of that deity, or with an enlightened being embodying the highest principles of an alignment (a solar, for example)."

Then again, some of (*cough*Summoning*cough*) the prestige domains (*cough*Celerity*cough) are pretty powerful. Sacred Fist is another way to get access to prestige domains, although you have to choose your deity carefully (since most deities have access to just one prestige domain).

 

[Wippit Guud]

How to meet your patron diety...


Die.


Assuming you're raised, I'm pretty sure you would've met someone.

 

[Malin Genie]

IIRC the Warpriest does not *have* to choose Glory/Domination, it becomes a PrD choice in addition to any other PrDs provided by her deity.

Also, the Sacred Fist can choose a Prestige Domain AFAIK - it is any of her deity's domains (otherwise presumably the class description would list 'only regular domains.)

I have seen a couple of attempts at homebrew Feats and PrCs designed to give PrDs. Off the top of my head:

Prestige Domain

Requirments: Skill Focus (Knowledge[Religion]), Cleric level 6th+

You gain a Prestige Domain accessible to your deity. You do not gain any extra domain spells/day, although you may choose your domain spell either from your regular domains or from the new prestige domain you have acquired. You gain access to the granted power of that domain.

 

[Buddha the DM]

Prestige Domain

Requirments: Skill Focus (Knowledge[Religion]), Cleric level 6th+

You gain a Prestige Domain accessible to your deity. You do not gain any extra domain spells/day, although you may choose your domain spell either from your regular domains or from the new prestige domain you have acquired. You gain access to the granted power of that domain. [/B]

Malin Genie: I like this idea. Now all that has to be done is to list what Prestige Domains a deity can grant access to.

 

[reapersaurus]

I agree.

The prestige domain thing was REALLY not well thought out.

There is a glut of prestige domains, most of them not overbalanced at all, but almost NO way to get them.

They really need to have a better in-game mechanic to acquire a prestige domain.
And I agree, the Celerity domain is heads and shoulders above any other.

Summoning, on the other hand, is not unbalanced at all.
Summoning is so weak on the most part that it would take a LOT to make it a very powerful battle tactic in comparison to the other spells that mages and clerics have at their disposal.

 

[CRGreathouse]

I agree, the Celerity domain is heads and shoulders above any other.

Mysticism is great! Celerity is a good domain, but it's no "head and shoulders" above a domain granting divine grace and all 3 aspects!

 

[Al]

Madness is a fun domain. An effective +10 Wis for certain things means +5 for DCs: not pleasant at all.
Domination is a nasty domain. Monstrous Thrall and True Domination are positively scary.

 

[Iku Rex]

How to meet your patron diety...

Commune
(5th level Cleric spell)

"The character can contact the character's deity—or agents thereof—and ask questions that can be answered by a simple yes or no."

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

My group immediately "rule 0ed" it and made them all regular domains (excluding the insane "celerity" domain which was simply cut). Some tweaking may be necessary, but at least they will then see some use!

I agree that the prestige domain idea was NOT well thought out (come to think of it, neither were the PrCs in DoF for that matter)... At any rate, I'm looking forward to the Quintessential Cleric from Mongoose later this year and their Encyclopedia Divine series. Should have some neat stuff in them!