prestigious Ranger Bard Paladin variant classes,whats the deal?

[Eman Resu]

I found a few alternative base class’s called Prestigious Ranger, Paladin and Bard. All 3 varients found in ? I think the C-Adv or UnA?, were treated as a prestige class, with a 3rd or 4th level entry. All 3 had spell caster progression and therefore seemed stronger than the original base class. After reading the prestigious description it seemed as if they were intended on replacing the original classes
Has anybody experience with playing these variants? Opinion?
Are there other prestigious classes, like for non spell casters, fighter?
I liked the concept but didn’t look into deep enough to know if it handicapped the already not so strong classes, or was it strictly for flavor etc.
Eman Resu

 

[Starbuck_II]

I found a few alternative base class’s called Prestigious Ranger, Paladin and Bard. All 3 varients found in ? I think the C-Adv or UnA?, were treated as a prestige class, with a 3rd or 4th level entry. All 3 had spell caster progression and therefore seemed stronger than the original base class. After reading the prestigious description it seemed as if they were intended on replacing the original classes.

Yes, if you reread Unearthed Arcana, it says that.

Has anybody experience with playing these variants? Opinion?
Are there other prestigious classes, like for non spell casters, fighter?
I liked the concept but didn’t look into deep enough to know if it handicapped the already not so strong classes, or was it strictly for flavor etc.
Eman Resu

Pally is decent for a Good Cleric. It advances turn undead, spellcasting, and good bab. Even adds new spells.

 

[Sekhmet]

If the Blackguard is the equal and opposite of a Paladin, why should one be PrC and not the other?
Since 3.0 came out and introduced PrC's, but split Paladins and Blackguards that far apart while keeping them nearly identical, I've thought that way.

I've been using Blackguards/Antipaladins for a long time, and they're never any better than a paladin of equal level.

My two cents on the Paladin as PrC idea.

 

[Celebrim]

If the Blackguard is the equal and opposite of a Paladin, why should one be PrC and not the other?

Since 3.0 came out and introduced PrC's, but split Paladins and Blackguards that far apart while keeping them nearly identical, I've thought that way.

Ever since 3.0 came out, I've considered this evidence that the Paladin class was badly designed. IMO, if you don't need a PrC to represent a good champion, you shouldn't need one for any other alignment either.

 

[Eman Resu]

The Blackguard is outdated, the "new" version is the alignment variants; chaotic good-Paladin of freedom, lawful evil -Paladin of Tyranny or the chaotic evil version Paladin of Slaughter, I think there is more neutral variations as well but I cant imagine what a true "neutral" Paly would represent...Neutral Paladin of Apathy? of the turn the other cheek church? the classes are exactly the same as original Paladin save the aura of courage vs the evil aura of malign or menace.

 

[Eman Resu]

Are there other prestigious classes, like for non spell casters, fighter?

 

[Sekhmet]

The Blackguard is outdated, the "new" version is the alignment variants; chaotic good-Paladin of freedom, lawful evil -Paladin of Tyranny or the chaotic evil version Paladin of Slaughter, I think there is more neutral variations as well but I cant imagine what a true "neutral" Paly would represent...Neutral Paladin of Apathy? of the turn the other cheek church? the classes are exactly the same as original Paladin save the aura of courage vs the evil aura of malign or menace.

I can't imagine a Paladin that is not Lawful Good or Lawful Evil.
Chaotic is just not in their job description.

 

[GreyLord]

I've used them, normally in conjunction with the Warrior, Expert, Spellcaster generic classes variant found in UA as well. Typically these would be the only classes allowed. I actually like the Bard better (what I played), and the other classes work well enough. I think in some ways it makes you prouder of your character being that class as you actually had to work to become a Paladin...Ranger, or Bard.

 

[Eman Resu]

I've used them, normally in conjunction with the Warrior, Expert, Spellcaster generic classes variant found in UA as well. Typically these would be the only classes allowed. I actually like the Bard better (what I played), and the other classes work well enough. I think in some ways it makes you prouder of your character being that class as you actually had to work to become a Paladin...Ranger, or Bard.

are you ref to gestalt? or for 1st X amount of levels you were a Warrior and then prestiged into the class Paly?

 

[GreyLord]

are you ref to gestalt? or for 1st X amount of levels you were a Warrior and then prestiged into the class Paly?

No Gestalt. We started the campaign with one of the three basic (generic) classes in UA. These are Warrior, Spellcaster (arcane or divine) and expert. I can't recall all the rules the DM had for the campaign, but you basically leveled up until you could choose a prestige class if you wanted one. We used the Bard, Paladin, and Ranger prestige classes from UA and could choose them. I actually chose the Bard, but the Paly I believe also had to go the long hard way being a Divine spellcaster.

In another campaign we used Gestalt alongside normal classes, it was played that Gestalt took 2X the normal XP to go up a level however. That's a different discussion entirely however.