Why do prestige classes have prerequisites?

[Darkness]

When do bards get evasion? Oh, right, NEVER.

Adding Rog2 or Mnk2 takes care of that.

I think there's a reason the Fochlucan Lyrist makes you immune to multiclassing penalties at level 1.

 

[billd91]

Why do prestige classes have prerequisites in terms of feats, skills, BAB, etc?

Given that characters will only ever meet organisations, with prestige classes associated with them, when the DM allows it and given that to join such an organisation [at least in our campaign] involves an adventure to prove the applicant worthy?

Not all prestige classes will have a requirement about being part of or have exposure to an organization. Some could be fairly natural extensions of a character's development and just reflect a particular specialization or focus in that character. Prerequisites that must be met are indicators that the character is ready in their development, by showing the appropriate focus and preparation, to make that next step and pick up the specialties of the new prestige class.

I also believe that it's OK to have prestige classes with slightly higher power per level if the prerequisites are sufficiently limiting. Not everyone believes that, though. I think of it as the payoff for several levels worth of commitment and dedication (and limited choices).

 

[Crothian]

I can see your point but I would argue that it just means that the nature of the adventure to qualify for the prestige class should be appropriate (i.e. be an opportunity to demonstrate excellence in the type of activity the prestige class is focused on).

There are prestege classes that require quests of some sort. But quests are more solo oriented and most classic ones have to done alone, not really fitting for a party of characters. Requiring feats is easy for the players. They can plan ahead and know that they need X, Y, and Z to become the XYZ Mage or whatever.

 

[Erekose]

Originally posted by billd91

I can also understand having a particular race be a prerequisite. There are just some things that a dwarf will flat out not teach to a non-dwarf, for example. There are some prestige classes that are designed to be meaningless without the cultural background of that particular character race. And that should be OK.

Again, for me this just leads to the appropriateness of the adventure needed to gain access. May be it's just me but I don't like to use the word "never" to players when I can help it. Dwarves as a rule might never open up a prestige class to another race but hey this halfling has just saved the kingdom/united the waring clans/destroyed our ancient enemy, etc.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I believe the reason for this 'bizarre' mix was to emulate the way a Bard used to be in 1e.

Yes.

You young whipper-snappers.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Yes.

You young whipper-snappers.

Hey! I'm a young whipper-snapper and I love it! So nyah

 

[kenobi65]

I believe the reason for this 'bizarre' mix was to emulate the way a Bard used to be in 1e.

Ahhh...fond memories of my 1e bard...or should I say my 1e Fighter 7 / Thief 8 / Bard 10. What a complete butt-kicker she was.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I think you're confusing prestige classes with organizations.

Organizations do not necessarily have every member be a single PrC.

Assassins are not all black clad thieve's who've turned to murder.

 

[Storm Raven]

Why do prestige classes have prerequisites in terms of feats, skills, BAB, etc?

The same reason clerics are only proficienct with simple weapons, armor causes an arcane failure percentage, and barbarians can rage: it is a convention of the game.

 

[Kast]

Sometimes it means a test of sorts to join the organization in order to get the special training and sometimes it means the new abilities require a certain base level of training to learn/manifest and, of course, sometimes it's both.