As I look through both the boards and the APG, I find the focus has been taken away from the Prestige Classes. Back in 3.5 every book used them, and in fact was a major draw. However, with the inclusion of archetypes, the focus has moved (perhaps rightly)
But, as excited as I am about the archetypes, I do have some thoughts, optimization ideas and questions about the PRCs.
Battle Herald: I love the concept behind this one, this makes for a really cool flag-bearer unit, the ultimate non-magic buffer. That said, I have some worries to the effectiveness. This class progresses some of the abilities of each class, but it's hard to keep each detail in order, I think I'd have to make a chart on which feature progress (such as the strength of inspire courage) and which don't (like the number of rounds of perform per day). Second, I'm not sure which class to focus on here- should I go bard1/cavelier9/BattleHerald10 or bard9/cavelier1/BattleHerald10 or bard5/cavelier5/BattleHerald10? What should I focus on? Is this PRC a dip? One thing I have noted is that you should ignore your spells and wear your heavy armor. Spells can be used for non-combat-at best you'll have caster level 9 and 3rd level spells. I'd really like some advice.
Holy Vindicator: I love this one too, but unlike the previous class, I know what to use this one for. Be a cleric. Yes you could use a Paladin or Life oracle, but they lose so much while the cleric has so much to gain. A while back people were begging to get heavy armor back for a cleric and more mêlée toys (with the best self-buffs nerfed). They even offered to give up 8th-9th level spells for it. Well, you can have a character with BaB 17 and CL 17 and full weapon and armor proficiencies. Also, for me at least, this replaces the templar- hear me out on this on. People wanted to have a combat heavy holy warrior for they're LG deities- this class does this without taking the Paladin's thunder. One other thing- a 4 level dip is awesome, but I like the features of this class enough to want all of the abilities.
Horizon Walker: Not much to be said here. This is an appropriate update to a class that never excited people, and still won't. It's a good class but not a super exciting one. It's better than the 3.5 version, but then again most things got a bump. That two level dip for barbarians (desert) is cool though, and so is that fact that ANYONE can take this class.
Master Chymist: Now we're talking- this class has lots of flavor and is pretty strong. I'm not sure the argument for mutagen focused alchemists to not take it. (okay, there is one- True mutagen. But that's not big deal- hear me out, most characters never get to level 20 and True Mutagen isn't a huge improvement from grand- it's better, but it improves you side abilities and drops weaknesses rather than focusing on your strengths)
Master Spy: This, like the Assassin, will make a really cool NPC, but has middling uses for a PC. It's probably better than the assassin, more useful traits, but most people won't ever use it. Go Rogue instead of bard. It melds a whole lot better with it's class features.
Nature Warden: Okay, I have no idea what to do with this one. Ranger3/Druid7/Nature Warden10? It boost some things, but you lose six caster levels- not a good trade. How about ranger10/Nature Warden 10- what does this do to make a ranger better or more interesting? This class reminds me of the pathfinder chronicler- lose collection of neat abilities, but not really useful in game. Any info or opinions are welcome. I want to like this.
Rage Prophet: I'd play this. You lose like 5 caster levels, but your spell DC's will be awesome and your powers will rock- the rage mage is finally an option. Divine boost up the medium BaB and there are so many ways to play this- battle oracle for a warchief; nature for a guerrilla naturalist; elementals to embody primal wrath. This is a really cool Gish style class (I know the term isn't popular but it fits the description).
Stalwart Defender: Like the Horizon Walker, this class wasn't to popular in 3.5- not because it was boring, but because it's abilities were counterintuitive to game play- enemies could just avoid you. This class is very much improved, and much more attractive but it may be frustrating to play at times. That fact that anyone can stand still is cool. I suggest using fighter as your build in. Maybe a shield specialist. Opinions?
Horizon Walker: Not much to be said here. This is an appropriate update to a class that never excited people, and still won't. It's a good class but not a super exciting one. It's better than the 3.5 version, but then again most things got a bump. That two level dip for barbarians (desert) is cool though, and so is that fact that ANYONE can take this class.The ability to see through fog is incredibly good for rogues.
So it's a two level class? Are there any good builds that use 10 levels?
With Terrain Dominance you can apply the favored terrain bonus as a favored enemy bonus. If you are in a campaign with only a couple terrains (like Urban/Underground) you could stack all of the terrain bonuses into those two categories and come out with massive bonuses that apply to all enemies within those terrains. Deadly on an archer or two-weapon fighter.
You would not be that strong outside of your dominated terrains but within you'd be almost unstoppable.
With Terrain Dominance you can apply the favored terrain bonus as a favored enemy bonus. If you are in a campaign with only a couple terrains (like Urban/Underground) you could stack all of the terrain bonuses into those two categories and come out with massive bonuses that apply to all enemies within those terrains. Deadly on an archer or two-weapon fighter.
You would not be that strong outside of your dominated terrains but within you'd be almost unstoppable.
This is a little more along the lines of what I meant, I still don't see player flocking to this class, but it could be a very potent opponent for them.
On another note, I think getting at least five levels of cavalier is important for a battle herald. You see, battle herald stacks with both the caviler's banner and the bard's inspire courage- a cavalier5/bard1/battle herald10 has a banner bonus of +3, an inspire courage bonus of +3 and an inspiring command (Sound the Charge) bonus of +4; these all stack, giving us a total of +10 to hit and damage- quite impressive. Please note that the last for levels are up to the player. Another way to get the +10 bonus is Cavalier1/Bard9/BattleHerald10, this trades a point of moral bonus for a point of competence bonus.
The real problem is that while the Battle Herald is a fantastic buffer- he leaves his base classes best abilities in the lurch- his magic, his horse and his challenge. I suggest focusing on Cavalier, as losing ten caster levels hurts the magic more than losing ten levels hurts the mount or the challenge. Plus he can then wear heavy armor.
Thoughts?
With Terrain Dominance you can apply the favored terrain bonus as a favored enemy bonus. If you are in a campaign with only a couple terrains (like Urban/Underground) you could stack all of the terrain bonuses into those two categories and come out with massive bonuses that apply to all enemies within those terrains. Deadly on an archer or two-weapon fighter.
You would not be that strong outside of your dominated terrains but within you'd be almost unstoppable.
Well, you would apply those bonuses to all enemies NATIVE to that terrain. Creatures that have been summoned or that have travelled into the terrain, but are not native to it, would not be subject to the bonuses. So there are more drawbacks there too. :-(
My general thoughts about PrCs is that I don't really like them. I think they'd be better if they were turned into feat chains and/or alternate class features.
Mark L. Chance | Spes Magna Games
So it's a two level class? Are there any good builds that use 10 levels?Horizon Walker: Not much to be said here. This is an appropriate update to a class that never excited people, and still won't. It's a good class but not a super exciting one. It's better than the 3.5 version, but then again most things got a bump. That two level dip for barbarians (desert) is cool though, and so is that fact that ANYONE can take this class.The ability to see through fog is incredibly good for rogues.
It's a pretty good class since it opens up a number of interesting abilities without having to sacrifice base attack bonus. A fighter with Dimension Door or Fly is a pretty terrifying thing, you know. I wouldn't scoff at Tremorsense, either.
It's a pretty good class since it opens up a number of interesting abilities without having to sacrifice base attack bonus. A fighter with Dimension Door or Fly is a pretty terrifying thing, you know. I wouldn't scoff at Tremorsense, either.So it's a two level class? Are there any good builds that use 10 levels?Horizon Walker: Not much to be said here. This is an appropriate update to a class that never excited people, and still won't. It's a good class but not a super exciting one. It's better than the 3.5 version, but then again most things got a bump. That two level dip for barbarians (desert) is cool though, and so is that fact that ANYONE can take this class.The ability to see through fog is incredibly good for rogues.
Can't these be replicated by magic items though? I'd hate to spend time in a prestige class just to get a few spell-like abilities. For that matter, an eldritch knight could do the job.