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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cadfan" data-source="post: 3706574" data-attributes="member: 40961">Fix prestige classes.There are two systemic problems with them that I see, both relating to the PRC ending before level 20.  First, capstone abilities.  Lets say a prc can end at anywhere between level 15 and level 20.  This means that the capstone ability can't be reliably calibrated for power level.  It either becomes too strong at level 15, or too weak at level 20.  And often it is an ability that doesn't synergize so well with the class features the character will be getting after it leaves the prc to pursue its base class once again.  As a very strong example, look at the shadowcaster prc that lets you have a pet shadow elemental.  At level 15, the pet elemental is very, very very good.  At level 20, it is... not good.  That's just one particular example of a problem that's intrinsic to the present system.Second, look at prcs that combine character classes into one prc.  These allow characters to essentially gain the power of two classes at one time, but at a reduced rate.  The problem is, once these prcs end, the character has to return to his original class.  A mystic theurge at level 16 is probably 3 levels behind in both wizard and cleric abilities, and this is considered balanced.  At level 20, he may be 3 levels behind as a wizard, and 7 levels behind in cleric.  Either the power ratio was acceptable back at level 16, and should be maintained, or it was unacceptable and should not have been granted.  The fluxuation in relative power level over character level is not a good thing.Both of these could be fixed by making the entry level for the PRC level 11, with 10 levels, ending at level 20.  This might entail rewriting the prc a bit to adjust power level, but as the designer would know what base class level each prc level has to match up against, it would be easier to accomplish.</blockquote>

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