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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Campbell" data-source="post: 1990156" data-attributes="member: 16586">Theoretically, prestige classes have narrow requirements in order to make a DM's life easier. Additionally, those narrow requirements present players with a simple advancement model or path to follow to advance in that prestige class. Ideally, a DM should be able to plug in any given prestige class into a game, and players should be able to pick a DM-approved class and work their way towards the class' requirements. However, much like WotC's take on CR/EL, there are a number of assumptions that are made in order for this approach to remain functional. these assumptions as I see them include a fairly standard campaign structure, players planning advancement ahead of time, prestige class abilities that are relatively well balanced with their requirements, and DMs who would prefer to concentrate on adventure preparation, rather than statblock approval. Since I tend to run a fairly nonstandard sort of campaign and have players that prefer to advance fairly fluidly, I prefer to play it by ear as far as prestige class requirements go. Generally I'll look at a given prestige class, and see if its class features and general concept fit a given character. If the prestige class seems like a good fit, I'll take a look at the requirements and analyze how easy it is to meet those requirements for characters with similar class choices as the PC in question, and assign a general level for entry into the prestige class. Finally, I take a look at the prestige class' features with an eye towards possible abuses and general power level. While the process is fairly involved, it works for me. Then again, when I'm not using D&D 3.x, I'm either using GURPS, Hero, or Mutants and Masterminds. I believe the approach taken in the RAW is perfectly valid, as long as you stay close to the RAW's assumptions.</blockquote>

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