Qualifying for Prestige Classes

[BrokenShade]

Hi there.

In the Alpha page 52, Designer Notes Presige Skills section, it states "Whenever a prestige class calls for a number of skill ranks,
you can qualify for the prestige class if you meet that number
of ranks –3 if you also have the skill as a class skill. If you do
not have the skill as a class skill, you must possess double
that number of ranks."

I would suggest changing that to "Whenever a prestige class calls for a number of skill ranks, you can qualify for the prestige class if your ranks plus class skill bonus at least equal that number of ranks."

That requires the same number of skill ranks for class skills, but seems to make more sense for cross class skills. It's also more consistent with the general +3 equivalence theme.

Just my two cents worth. ^_^
BrokenShade

[Andreas Skye]

Your formulation is good for the class skill part.
But I would not get rid as x2 for cross-class. Otherwise it would mess with the average intended levels for PrClassing in all the 3.5 materials. If a 3.5 PrC requires 4 ranks in a CC skill, that rules out characters with less than 8 levels as per 3.5 rules. By unifying the formula, you would make it available for 4th level characters in PF. That kinda messes with the notion that some PrCs needed higher levels to attain than others, also with some PrCs favoring some "base class paths" over others.

I agree the math does not feel clean, but basically it is a formula for compatibility between 3.5 and PF. I am sure they'll get it different with PF PrCs.