Simple Prestige class question ...

[BlakeT]

Ok I've never played a Prestige class, and with my allergy clouded head I can't recall the answer to this so ... Does a Prestige class count when considering EXP penalties?

For example I have a Elven Rogue/Wizard that is probably headed towards the Arcane Archer template. I was thinking of leveling up some levels in Fighter, for the feats and attack bonuses. I realize that I'll need to keep Fighter and Rogue within one level of one another until I meet the requirements to become an Arcane Archer.

The question is does the Arcane Archer 'class' need to be within one level of the Fighter/Rogue classes as well?

PS: I realize that a Fighter/Wizard would have been the way to go, but the party really needed some Rogue skills so I needed to go that route. Also I was seriously considering the Arcane Trickster but that has yielded to my interest in the Archer aspect of the character.

 

[Hypersmurf]

PrCs don't count. The critical line was accidentally left out of the 3.5 DMG and not inserted in the errata, but it's been acknowledged as an oversight (and, from memory, the line does appear in The Complete Warrior, though I could be wrong on that one).

-Hyp.

 

[Len]

There's no XP penalty for prestige classes. This was left out of the 3.5 books but the FAQ confirms that it still works that way. (It was explicit in 3.0.)

[Doh, I'm too slow. I blame the time zone difference.]

 

[BlakeT]

Ah ok I thought so, and was going crazy because I couldn't find the answer in 3.5. Thanks a ton for the replies, I appreciate your time.