Thoughts on the Loremaster PrC

[Dimwhit]

I'm starting a new character (Wizard). I'm trying to make a loose plan for him in the future, and I'm contemplating the Loremaster PrC. But I have one major hangup. As precious as feats are for Wizards, I have a hard time justifying wasting a feat on Skill Focus. All the other prereqs are no problem.

Do you think the PrC is worth the wasted feat? I realize that most PrCs require throwing away a feat or two, which is probably why I almost never use them. But I'm really tempted.

Thoughts on the pros and cons are most welcome.

 

[LuYangShih]

Depends on what kind of Wizard you want. If he is a more scholarly type, and you would enjoy the knowledge bonuses, go ahead. If you're looking for power, it's not the best, but I'm sure you already knew that. As for the feat, I wouldn't worry about it, as you can use the Secrets (or whatever it's called) to gain a feat if you so choose.

 

[Victim]

The loremaster quickly grants a bonus feat, so the wasted feat on Skill Focus balances out.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

The Loremaster is a very good choice for every Wizard - you don`t lose anything (You should have taken the Knowledge Skills anyway, because you`re a wizard that is supposed to know these things, and the feat is compensated by the special abilities from the Loremaster)

If you think Skill Focus on a Knowledge Skill is a waste, than the class isn`t made for you (or your wizard)

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Darklone]

The Loremaster is a very good choice for every Wizard - you don`t lose anything ...

PrClass rant: Ohhhh, so you lose something for entering about 95% of all prestige classes?

 

[Chacal]

PrClass rant: Ohhhh, so you lose something for entering about 95% of all prestige classes?

95% of the PrC I allow IMC, yes

Chacal

 

[Kwalish Kid]

The most impressive thing about the loremaster is the skill boost. Then you get the really neat abilities like being able to identify any magic item by touching it. Then you get neat bonus abilities like a +1 to hit or a +1 on a save.

You give up two meta magic feats (you get in at about 8th, so you miss 10 and 15, plus you got skill focus) but you can gain a bonus feat for being in the class.

I've been happy to have skill focus in knowledge(arcana). Heck, i'd probably have taken skill focus in something. The loremaster I play now has about +20 on knowledge arcana, and it's worth it in play. I guess that depends on your DM, though.

Oh, and don't forget bardic knowledge. As a loremaster, you end up better than a bard at bardic knowledge because your Int will be so much higher. (Plus you'll be making a headband of intellect, right?)

 

[bret]

It certainly isn't the one of the more powerful PrCs out there, but it works quite well in a heavy story-oriented game.

As others have pointed out, you can get the feat back with one of the secrets. Need a total LoreMaster level + Int Mod of 8 to do this, so it will probably be about 3-5 levels into the class.

None of the bonuses are very powerful, but the additional skill points are really nice. You may end up having more skill points per level than the rogue in your group, depending on Int.

 

[smetzger]

Check out:
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40493

 

[nharwell]

95% of the PrC I allow IMC, yes

Chacal

For the most part, then, you only allow PrCs that you made yourself? That's what I've had to do....