Statting out your followers.

[MrZoink]

I think it just said to treat the cohort as if it were 5 levels higher for the purpose of the initial recruiting (e.g., the max level cohort you may recruit). The justification was that a character that belongs to a PrC is more of an individual, less likely to be a sidekick/follower.

Just to clarify, since I looked it up, the rule I believe you're referring to is an option about having followers with PrCs. Nowhere in the ELH or DMG does it refer to cohorts having a penalty for PrC.

Just wanted to point that out since there is a big difference between cohorts and followers.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Especially since one of the most obviously Cohort-geared PrCs around is the Devoted Defender. Perfect for a Cohort, but who'd want to play one as a PC?

But treating him as 5 levels higher would mean that your bodyguard cohort would tend to die in the first round of protecting you... 12th level Fighter-type guarding a 20th level Wizard? Eek.

-Hyp.