Just wondering why there are no prestige classes that are designed to progress class abilties in core classes.
so for example a Prc similiar to Eldritch Knight
Lower entry requirments
would instead get progression in the casters class ability *bloodline/ school powers) instead of spell casting progression.
Or even a core mystic theruge type class that can pick e.g. a bloodline and 2 domains and a foci. Or Spell School and 3 domains , or ....
My guess is that the PrC would overshadow that core class, and Paizo wanted people to have a reason to stay core, instead of taking X levels of a core class, and running away.
It almost sounds like a feat.
"Whenever you increase your spellcaster level, regardless of class, you also increase your level for your bloodline powers."
Something like that. But it's a dang powerful feat, since it might give you bonus feats.
There are classes that do this (as mentioned), but they always do it for *specific* classes, so the benefit can be measured.
The reason there are "+1 spellcasting" classes and not "+1 class abilities" classes, is that you can't measure the second one at all, without knowing what class you are improving.
I'm confused, because the class you give as an example does exactly that: Eldritch Knight gives you additional Fighter bonus feats and continues to count as levels of Fighter for feat prerequisites. Similarly:
-Arcane Trickster and Assassin continue Sneak Attack
-Dragon Disciple continues Draconic Bloodline abilities
-Loremaster and Pathfinder Chronicler continue Bardic Knowledge
-Pathfinder Chronicler continues Bardic Music
-Assassin and Shadowdancer continue Uncanny Dodge
-Shadowdancer continues Evasion and Rogue talents
I'm confused, because the class you give as an example does exactly that: Eldritch Knight gives you additional Fighter bonus feats and continues to count as levels of Fighter for feat prerequisites. Similarly:
-Arcane Trickster and Assassin continue Sneak Attack
-Dragon Disciple continues Draconic Bloodline abilities
-Loremaster and Pathfinder Chronicler continue Bardic Knowledge
-Pathfinder Chronicler continues Bardic Music
-Assassin and Shadowdancer continue Uncanny Dodge
-Shadowdancer continues Evasion and Rogue talents
But they are all specific abilities of specific classes. Some things, like Uncanny Dodge or SA, are only part of the class itself, and while featured parts, are often handed out in PrCs because they are abilities that fit a role the PrC is made for.
For example, the Assassin is and individual able to severely damage a single opponent and escape from trouble. They need ways to show this, so instead of creating new mechanics for new abilities, it's just better to give them something already designed. Or Bardic Knowledge, well, why give a Loremaster or Pathfinder a new ability that is nearly the same instead?
Having certain abilities in PrCs that stack with base class abilities just keeps a player from doubling up on useless stuff. Evasion twice isn't improved, Uncanny Dodge twice means you only use the better one, etc.
It looked like the OP was asking about something that would allow you to count as +1 class for when they get class abilities, not things that increase specific abilities of a class.
For example, there are PrCs that increase a Bards specific ability of Bardic Music. But there isnt one that increases additional abilities of a bard as you advance in level. ie. 5th level bard takes a level in a class that not only gives him whatever that PrC would get, but also increases what abilities that the Bard gives him (effectivly increasing his Bard level for what he gains and stuff).
I think the reason that there aren't any PrCs that do this is that that would be to powerful.
It would be nice however, to have a feat or something you can take that would link to a class, and allow levels of that class to increase your arcane bond(most of the spell casting PrCs do not do this, and it makes arcane bond really weak once you get a few levels of the PrC.
Typically, because the Prestige Class gives class abilities of it's own.
If it gave additional unique abilities on top of another class' abilities, that would be too many abilities (who wouldn't take that class?).
If it only gave that other class' abilities on that level.. then why even make the PrC have that level (if 5 levels give another class' abilities, then make it a 5 level PrC)?
I'd find such a PrC.. I think the word I'm looking for is bland. Like a bad apple I had recently, that had barely any taste at all.
I guess my answer is: because it'd be boring? Or overpowered, depending on how it was applied.