Variant Base Class v. PrC

[Dog Moon]

Okay, so in another thread, I made two variant Base Classes using the Barbarian. In one, the barbarian puts his rage into his voice and has some sound-based attacks and the other deals with the four elements [you choose one]. Someone mentioned that maybe they would be better as PrCs.

So here's my question: would you prefer classes with slightly different themes [such as those above, for example] as being variant Base Classes or as Prestige Classes?

 

[Nalfeshnee]

classes most certainly! i never liked the idea of prestige classes - i much prefer the idea of kits and class variants though with teh amount of new classes appearing at teh moment, i think there's a good balance of classes to choose from (i think theres around 40 WoTC ones alone!)

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Okay, so in another thread, I made two variant Base Classes using the Barbarian. In one, the barbarian puts his rage into his voice and has some sound-based attacks and the other deals with the four elements [you choose one]. Someone mentioned that maybe they would be better as PrCs.

So here's my question: would you prefer classes with slightly different themes [such as those above, for example] as being variant Base Classes or as Prestige Classes?

I doubt that entire new core classes are required most the time.
I would recommend using a mixture of substitution levels (where you exchange one class feature for a different one), class-specific feats and prestige classes.

I think Core Classes should be reserved to implement entire new class concepts that should be available from the start (most importantly: whose defining class abilities should be available from 1st level on.) or that are simply significantly unlike from existing core classes. They shouldn't be more specialised then existing core classes, that's what PrCs can do.

 

[Herobizkit]

I used to be a fan of prestige classes, but when most of my campaigns cap out at the 7-12 mark, they get pointless.

I would love to see the old AD&D2 kits make a comeback, perhaps as Occupations similar to those found in d20 Modern.

On that note, I wish I hadn't just sold all my AD&D2 kit books to eBay.