Are there any rules or guidelines in any Paizo published material for creating your own prestige class? I seem to be lacking in my search-fu
on the subject.
A nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
-Flea
Nope.
Not really, prestige classes were really more of a 3.5 thing. Archtypes are the way forward.
Not really, prestige classes were really more of a 3.5 thing. Archtypes are the way forward.
I do like prestige classes as a way to hybridise disparate classes or do something that could not be accomplished with a base class or archetype.
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The only standardization that comes to mind immediately is that in PFRPG all prestige classes are 10 levels.
The Inheritor's Crusader is still a three level prestige class. And the Steel Falcon is a a five level class.
Since the Hell Knight has been changed, there aren't any prestige classes with more than ten levels, though.
OK- thanks for the help everyone. :)
A player at our table is mabye looking for something to combine rogue and cleric classes. He found a couple of prestige classes but unfortunatley they don't really fit his concept.
mabye he can figure something out with our GM.
-Flea
OK- thanks for the help everyone. :)
A player at our table is mabye looking for something to combine rogue and cleric classes. He found a couple of prestige classes but unfortunatley they don't really fit his concept.
mabye he can figure something out with our GM.
-Flea
It might be easier to make a hybrid rogue/cleric class depending on what he wants to do.
Temple Raider of Oliddimara is a no-go for a re-skin?
I think prestige classes still have their place. If I was converting my 3.5 world of Audor to Pathfinder, I'd probably want to convert the Judge prestige class, since the mission of that character type does not really seem possible without this sort of concept.
For my current idea, the Knight of True Faith would probably need to be a PrC because one of the requirements of the class is to demonstrate true faith, which can't be done at 1st level. There is some overlap with the Paladin concept, but the KoTF could be seen as an alternative that a Paladin might switch to.
Complete Adventurer and Complete Arcane have some Prestige Classes that are definitely worth bringing over, in order to support multiclassed Bards that might want to go in a slightly different direction than the main Bard class.
As for rules for developing a class, I'd say they are the same as 3.5, except for as Pathfinder is different: Check that the concept supports a good prestige class, check that the abilities at each level are comparable to what a class offers, check that the prereqs are reasonable, etc.
As far as Pathfinder is different, here are my observations:
1. It is a lot easier to get into a Prestige Class in Pathfinder than in 3.5, because any class can pick up the required skills. For example, I was working on a PrC based on the idea of going off leaving your tribe behind and going off into the wilderness. Obviously enough ranks in Survival is a prerequisite. In 3.5, this makes it hard for Fighters and Clerics to qualify. In Pathfinder, it doesn't, because Fighters are just as able to get the ranks in Survival as Rangers and Barbarians are.
I think this is a good thing, as many of my ideas are based on an iconic class and the concept requires showing an interest and skill level for a certain direction, but I don't want to limit it to just that class combo. For example, I was designing a Favored of Luthic PrC which would be a logical choice for Clerics, Druids, or Shamans, (of which there is no official 3.5 shaman but several alternative shaman classes have been defined). In Pathfinder it is easier to design requirements that all three classes can meet.
2. Prestige classes should probably have more interesting class abilities than +1 Spellcaster Level or Bonus Feat. This applies in both 3.5 and Pathfinder, but I think it applies moreso in Pathfinder. Still, I think it is a good thing that the importance of prestige classes is downgraded in Pathfinder, so the power level of a Pathfinder PrC should probably be comparable to a 3.5 PrC.
I believe Monte Cooke's rule was that there should be a reason to take the class, and a reason not to take the class.
I have not yet tried to design a Pathfinder prestige class. I probably will in the future.
Some of the Prestige classes in pathfinder are based upon expanding on a particular class feature. Examples are Master Chymist (mutagen), Natures Warden (Animal Companion), and Horizon Walker (Favored terrain). Others are built as more general hybrids like Mystic Theurge, Eldrich knight. Others like Battle Herald and Rage Prophet are clearly focused on a specific combination.
I would start a prestige class by first picking what kind of feature will be emphasized, who would have the ability to use this feature, and then decide what would they give up for this increased focus.
Some of the Prestige classes in pathfinder are based upon expanding on a particular class feature. Examples are Master Chymist (mutagen), Natures Warden (Animal Companion), and Horizon Walker (Favored terrain). Others are built as more general hybrids like Mystic Theurge, Eldrich knight. Others like Battle Herald and Rage Prophet are clearly focused on a specific combination.
I would start a prestige class by first picking what kind of feature will be emphasized, who would have the ability to use this feature, and then decide what would they give up for this increased focus.
This sums it up pretty well. Pathfinder has also driven home a very key idea when creating prestige classes:
A prestige class should exist to make a certain playstyle or class combination feasible, but should never be stronger than the class(es) required to enter it.
Some of the Prestige classes in pathfinder are based upon expanding on a particular class feature. Examples are Master Chymist (mutagen), Natures Warden (Animal Companion), and Horizon Walker (Favored terrain). Others are built as more general hybrids like Mystic Theurge, Eldrich knight. Others like Battle Herald and Rage Prophet are clearly focused on a specific combination.
I would start a prestige class by first picking what kind of feature will be emphasized, who would have the ability to use this feature, and then decide what would they give up for this increased focus.
This sums it up pretty well. Pathfinder has also driven home a very key idea when creating prestige classes:
A prestige class should exist to make a certain playstyle or class combination feasible, but should never be stronger than the class(es) required to enter it.
So if I want to, say, make an order of characters who combine gunslinging and horse riding, basically a mix of Cavalier and Gunslinger, I should make a prestige class for that purpose, but make sure the abilities are in line with those that would be granted to either class at that level?
It sounds similar to what I'd do in 3.5 -- require a certain accomplishment for riding and shooting guns, and then compare the abilities to what a single class character would get.
After this weekend's game we reached 6th level (playing Shackled City)
and are now waiting for our GM to decide if he is going to allow the
PrC Shadowbane Stalker (3.5 Comp. Adventurer) for our rogue/cleric.
When we started this AP, we were using Pathfinder Core and APG for PC creation. Any other material was taken on a case by case basis.
I hope this helps solve this players problem. So far he's not thrilled with his character. He hasn't connected with the character yet. A little too vanilla when he wants chocolate with sprinkles!
Anyway- thanks for the ideas everyone! :)
-Flea
So if I want to, say, make an order of characters who combine gunslinging and horse riding, basically a mix of Cavalier and Gunslinger, I should make a prestige class for that purpose, but make sure the abilities are in line with those that would be granted to either class at that level?
It sounds similar to what I'd do in 3.5 -- require a certain accomplishment for riding and shooting guns, and then compare the abilities to what a single class character would get.
For something like that, I would actually just make it an archtype of cavalier. Replace tactician, cavalier's charge, greater tactician, mighty charge, and supreme charge with firearm proficiency, grit, a variety of deeds, and a couple mount/firearm related abilities. Call it the calvaryman or something.
For something like that, I would actually just make it an archtype of cavalier. Replace tactician, cavalier's charge, greater tactician, mighty charge, and supreme charge with firearm proficiency, grit, a variety of deeds, and a couple mount/firearm related abilities. Call it the calvaryman or something.So if I want to, say, make an order of characters who combine gunslinging and horse riding, basically a mix of Cavalier and Gunslinger, I should make a prestige class for that purpose, but make sure the abilities are in line with those that would be granted to either class at that level?
It sounds similar to what I'd do in 3.5 -- require a certain accomplishment for riding and shooting guns, and then compare the abilities to what a single class character would get.
Or maybe cowboy?
Or maybe cowboy?For something like that, I would actually just make it an archtype of cavalier. Replace tactician, cavalier's charge, greater tactician, mighty charge, and supreme charge with firearm proficiency, grit, a variety of deeds, and a couple mount/firearm related abilities. Call it the calvaryman or something.So if I want to, say, make an order of characters who combine gunslinging and horse riding, basically a mix of Cavalier and Gunslinger, I should make a prestige class for that purpose, but make sure the abilities are in line with those that would be granted to either class at that level?
It sounds similar to what I'd do in 3.5 -- require a certain accomplishment for riding and shooting guns, and then compare the abilities to what a single class character would get.
My thoughts exactly when I read this.
But what if a PC is already a Gunslinger (or a Cavalier) when she realizes that this is what she wants to do.
I think that is one reason I like prestige classes. I once played a Bard who at some point in the campaign got religious, and working into the Holy Liberator prestige class became a goal of hers.
If you have to make your decision when you create your character, you're locked in. I always find my characters evolving in directions I did not foresee.
I think that's why I multiclass so much.
Or maybe cowboy?For something like that, I would actually just make it an archtype of cavalier. Replace tactician, cavalier's charge, greater tactician, mighty charge, and supreme charge with firearm proficiency, grit, a variety of deeds, and a couple mount/firearm related abilities. Call it the calvaryman or something.So if I want to, say, make an order of characters who combine gunslinging and horse riding, basically a mix of Cavalier and Gunslinger, I should make a prestige class for that purpose, but make sure the abilities are in line with those that would be granted to either class at that level?
It sounds similar to what I'd do in 3.5 -- require a certain accomplishment for riding and shooting guns, and then compare the abilities to what a single class character would get.
Possibly Dragoon