I have two questions for DMs out there :
1. Do you allow characters to take multiple prestige classes?
2. Do you assess multiclassing XP penalties when a non-human combines a non-favored class with a prestige class and the class levels aren't close?
I'm interested because it seems to me that I have seen an awful lot of characters with triple or quadruple class combos involving PrCs mentioned on the boards here, and even a few statted up in the pages of the Dungeon. Impressionistically, such characters as PCs seem to correlate strongly with rants about how easily PCs knocked off high powered encounters, and such characters as NPCs seem to correlate strongly with TPKs.
My own thoughts are that the PrC is supposed to be very SPECIAL. It is an unusual discipline that the character has chosen to devote himself to, and must be pursued single-mindedly. Depending on the PrC, I may let the PC keep adding levels in the original base class, but usually would encourage maxing out the PrC first. And I would almost never allow addition of another PrC--the player would have to give me an ingenious roleplaying justification before I would allow it.
On the other hand, I don't think PCs should ever be shorted experience points for chosing a PrC--in my mind, if they take a level in a PrC, it effectively becomes a second favored class.
I haven't seen any explicit statement in the RAW to back either opinion. What is everyone else's thinking on this issue?
1.) Yes.
2.) No.
My caveats: I must okay all cross-classing. :-P Keeps it under control and the players don't go crazy with multi-classing.
|
1. Yes, sort of
2. No
Like Lilith, I tend to give the players free reign in their selection of PrCs as compared to class. However, I find it rather irritating for a player to "cherry-pick" from a PrC, and generally push for a PrC to be taken in toto before a second one is selected. Of course, if a player wants to take more base class levels before returning to the PrC, that's alright with me.
I forget where, I know it is somewhere in PH or DMG, there are rules for your question in RAW. Anyhow, RAW states that PrCs NEVER count toward multiclassing restrictions no matter how many a single character has. Obviously this restriction is purely mechanical in nature. You'd be perfectly justified in restricting PrC options based on a PC's situation. A cleric of heironeous who walked into a temple of Boccob demanding to be taught the ways of the mystic theurge would likely be laughed at until said cleric is forced to admit that following the straight-and-narrow Heironeon road is his best option.
1. Yes.
2. No. There's a very obscure rule which says that prestige classes are ignored for the purpose of multiclassing penalties. They keep leaving it out of the books, but if Monte Cook says it's true - and he invented the whole concept of prestige classes - it's good enough for me :)
I generally ask players to come up with a good reason for taking prestige classes, though, especially so if they plan to mix and match. If someone's being a real munchkin and cherrypicking four different PrCs, I'm fine with that as long as they can justify their decision in character terms.
In other words, you can't just say "I'm going to take my next level in assassin, then maybe two levels in Deepwood Sniper and one in Master Thrower". You can however, have your character join an assassin's guild, only to betray them by assassinating an old enemy of yours in their guild as was your plan all along, and seek refuge with the Deepwood snipers in the northern forests, learning their techniques for a while before leaving to protect them from getting caught in your quarrels, and deciding to train oneself in knife throwing.
I have two questions for DMs out there :
1. Do you allow characters to take multiple prestige classes?
Yup, but I require a good reason from the PC. If they are doing it only to powergame, then no. If its for style or story, then definately yes.
2. Do you assess multiclassing XP penalties when a non-human combines a non-favored class with a prestige class and the class levels aren't close?
The DMG 3.0 had the rule about prestige classes not counting against multiclassers. It was left out of the DMG 3.5 for some reason, but it did clearly state that prestige class levels never count when figuring out multiclassing penalties.
It's in the FAQ:
In the previous version of the D&D game, having levels in a prestige class never caused you to pay the experience penalty for being a multiclass character without uneven class levels. (The prestige class levels didn’t count when checking to see if you had a penalty.) The section on prestige classes in the new DUNGEON MASTER’s Guide no longer mentions that you don’t suffer an experience penalty for having levels in a prestige class. Is this a change or an error?
It’s an error. Having levels in a prestige class won’t give you an experience penalty.
|
In my games prestige classes don't count as levels for the purpose of determining multiclass penalties.
I don't restrict players to just one. Usually.
Prestige classes are an "optional rule" in my game, and each one needs approval. Most have at least minor roleplaying requirements, though I might approve it without those well in advance if I know about it without any such requirements.
Different prestige classes do different things for a character. I don't get upset when a character mutliclasses rogue with fighter, so I don't usually get upset when a concept falls between two already published prestige classes.
I do not overtly encourage prestige classes, however. I'm happiest when my players (who have some strong powergaming - even munchkin tendencies) focus on developing their character into a unique individual rather than focusing on developing their stats into an interesting conglomeration.