Prestige Class Bonus Domain Question

[John Tanzini]

Warning!!! I want everyone to bear with me I'm writing this at the end of my overnight shift and I have none of the sources in front of me so the details may be vague and or a bit incoherent.

Ok, my question involves what happens when a character when receives a bonus domain from a PrC that he already possesses? Does the granted ability from the domain double?

My example and my dillemma are one in the same. I have a cleric who wants to take the Earth prestige class from Dragon #314's article CHANNELING THE ELEMENTS Four Elemental Prestige Classes for four core classes By Spencer Kornhaber. The class is intended for druids but the article does state that clerics may qualify for the class. At first level of the PrC the character gains access to the Earth Domain, but for a variety of reasons the character already has the domain, so my question is does he can any additional benefits from this PrC class feature such as an additional 3 uses of the Rebuke Air creature ability of the Earth Domain? I'm almost positive I read that would be the case in some source...Complete Divine, 3.5FAQS, somewhere... Any help on the official response would be greatly appreciated!

JT

[Zherog]

In my opinion - nothing happens. If I already have Weapon Focus (longsword) and I gain an ability from a prestige class that gives me the feat, I don't get a +2 bonus; this is the same thing.

[zahnb]

I do remember on the D&D offical board, that if you already have the feat and you get the same feat due to a class feature, you get to choose another feat in place of that feat. Example, if you had rapid shot and you became a 2nd lvl ranger, you could pick another bow feat in place of rapid shot.

Sooooo

Give him access to another of his god's domain. No reason not to give him one is there?

[Zherog]

zahnb wrote:

I do remember on the D&D offical board, that if you already have the feat and you get the same feat due to a class feature, you get to choose another feat in place of that feat. Example, if you had rapid shot and you became a 2nd lvl ranger, you could pick another bow feat in place of rapid shot.

As far as I know, that's not correct. Could you provide a source?

zahnb wrote:

Sooooo

Give him access to another of his god's domain. No reason not to give him one is there?

I'm not saying this is a bad house rule. It's fine. It's just not what actually happens.

[Celestial Healer]

zahnb wrote:

I do remember on the D&D offical board, that if you already have the feat and you get the same feat due to a class feature, you get to choose another feat in place of that feat. Example, if you had rapid shot and you became a 2nd lvl ranger, you could pick another bow feat in place of rapid shot.

In the example you give, I believe it is specifically stated that you can choose another feat, and there are several similar examples. The fact that it is spelled out in those cases, however, makes it clear that it does not apply where not stated. There is no blanket rule of the kind you mention.

[zahnb]

Celestial Healer wrote:

zahnb wrote:

I do remember on the D&D offical board, that if you already have the feat and you get the same feat due to a class feature, you get to choose another feat in place of that feat. Example, if you had rapid shot and you became a 2nd lvl ranger, you could pick another bow feat in place of rapid shot.

In the example you give, I believe it is specifically stated that you can choose another feat, and there are several similar examples. The fact that it is spelled out in those cases, however, makes it clear that it does not apply where not stated. There is no blanket rule of the kind you mention.

Ah, true, there is no exact ruling on that, but there is no exact ruling on ALOT of the conflicting rules they have, they can't write everything down. However, I'd like to think that since they do spell it out in the x's case of replacing he feat, that it applies everywhere. Otherwise, why screw the player for taking the feat earlier?

[John Tanzini]

Sorry for the slow response; it has been a busy week, but thanks to everyone who left feedback!