Pathfinder 1E Wizards & Prestige Classes

[koesherbacon]

As far as I'm currently aware, there's not really any good prestige classes for wizards in Pathfinder like there were in 3.5. On pp. 5 of the Core Rulebook, Jason Bulmahn states in his ""Adventure Awaits" section:

...the Pathfinder RPG is compatible with the 3.5 rules, [but] it can be used without any other books.

So I am aware that technically, anything from 3.5 could be allowed, but my DM wants our game to be strictly Pathfinder, without using anything from 3.5 unless it's specifically been converted by Paizo (like the prestige classes in the Core Rulebook).

I know that Lore Master could be a good option, but is that the only one? What can you tell me about other prestige class options for the PF Wizard?

Thanks a bunch and happy new year!

 

[gamerprinter]

One thing to consider is that there are class archetypes now, and lots of what would have been "prestige class" material in 3x is now archetype material for PF, and there are many wizard archetypes. While I am certainly biased, here are 2 wizard archetypes created for the Kaidan setting of Japanese horrror (PFRPG) by Rite Publishing, including a Tattooist wizard (horimyo) usually affiliated with a local yakuza gang that specialize in the arcane tattoos worn by yakuza members. Also there's a very cool Onmyoji wizard archetype, which is an origami wizard - using origami washi paper replaces some of the spell components, and the origami figures containing each spell like a scroll, burns up when used.

Archmage and other wizard prestige classes still exist in PF, but the need to ever apply a prestige class to your existing class is simply unnecessary for Pathfinder, as you can stay a straight class wizard with plenty of fluff variety using archetypes instead.

And I agree with your GM, 3x material is banned for our Pathfinder games, although we certainly allow PF 3PP products.

 

[Ahnehnois]

The wizard school abilities and archetypes are supposed to replace the function of prestige classes. There is no reason why you couldn't take a prestige class from 3.5 if it fit, it just becomes more a question of finding something that fits the character as opposed to a quasi-mandatory power upgrade upon hitting level 6.

The question to me is whether you have a specific prestige class in mind or a character concept that is specifically not covered well by the existing wizard (or witch, etc.) in PF. If so, you might want to talk to your DM about converting something. If not, I'd forget about it and just build a wizard.

Prestige classes that really bring something different in my mind would be things that lose you caster levels for extreme special abilities, like master transmogrifist or one of the fighter/caster ones, or that are very specific or organization-based, like initiate of the sevenfold veil. Things like the master specialist or elemental savant prestige classes are essentially obsolete in PF.