Prestige Class

[ralath]

So I have not used any of the prestige classes in Pathfinder yet. I was wondering what peoples opinion on them are. I am making an 8th level character and thought this might be a good time to try one out. Any ideas?

[cartmanbeck]

ralath wrote:

So I have not used any of the prestige classes in Pathfinder yet. I was wondering what peoples opinion on them are. I am making an 8th level character and thought this might be a good time to try one out. Any ideas?

It definitely depends on what your character concept is. Some of the prestige classes are excellent (DRAGON DISCIPLE) and some of them are absolutely horrid, at least from an in-battle perspective. However, even those that look really underpowered can have their place (for example, the Pathfinder Chronicler can excel in PFS games, even though looking at the class it looks relatively weak. So, your question can't really be answered without knowing your character concept. What is it?

[ralath]

Well we already have a fighter (sword and board type) a cleric, a summoner and a magus so something to fit in with that group. I really don't have much preference anything can be fun if.

[cartmanbeck]

Well, then. Party roles that still could be filled:

Rogue-type: Ninja 7/Master Spy X <- You could also dip into Shadowdancer for hide in plain sight, but it's got a huge feat tax

Ranged: Fighter(archer)6/Wizard(Admixture school) 1/Arcane Archer X <-The Admixture level lets you ignore pesky elemental resistances by changing your fireballs into ice balls, acid balls, etc.

Support: Bard (Lotus Geisha) 7/Pathfinder Chronicler X <- This lets you either buff everyone or buff a single person better, and at higher levels you can grant an ally an extra move or standard action!

[ralath]

hmmm interesting I will have to take a look at. Thank you
We really could use a rogue or ranged type

[Obirandiath]

My current group has both an Arcane Archer and a Shadowdancer, both of whom do extremely well. However, it is generally agreed that prestige classing is not the way to go for optimization. If you have a character concept that points you in the direction of a prestige class, then go with it. But don't take a prestige class (or multiclass) just because you can.

[ralath]

Well I was just looking for something different to try but maybe I can come up with something without using prestige class.

[Sylvanite]

Ranger (Trapper - Guide) 1/Wizard (Transmuter 5)/Eldritch Knight 10/Arcane Archer 4

Starting at 8 is right around where this starts to get beastly. The ranger level is there so you can be the group's trapfinder, if needed. If that's not needed, it might be better to take 1 level of Fighter to start the build.

By the end of the build you end up with 9th level spells and 17 BAB....something you won't come close to accomplishing without prestige classes.

Also, it looks like your group could use some Ranged support, and this can fill that role.

If you want to avoid prestige classes, I'd still recommend an Archer build for the group you're playing with.