Most common non-base classes?

[Fromper]

So we have a thread for least common class, where we're talking about base classes. What about non-base classes? I've only seen a couple of prestige classes here and there, and I can't think of any that I've seen more than once. Are there any that are specifically popular?

[Tim Vincent]

Core classes = Barbarian Bard Cleric Druid Fighter Monk Paladin Ranger
Rogue Sorcerer Wizard

Base classes = Alchemist Cavalier Gunslinger Inquisitor Magus
Oracle Summoner Witch

Alternate classes = Ninja Samurai

I'd say the most common non base class I see is Fighter.

[Furious Kender]

Fromper wrote:

So we have a thread for least common class, where we're talking about base classes. What about non-base classes? I've only seen a couple of prestige classes here and there, and I can't think of any that I've seen more than once. Are there any that are specifically popular?

Pathfinder built in a penalty system for taking prestige classes so virtually no one takes them. I think I have seen 2 or so PCs that have them.

One took one of the many pirate prestige classes. I still have no idea why PF has so many ways to play a pirate.

The other was some kind of caster that appeared to be mostly taken to break the game, and did 80 damage with a metamagiced level 1 spell. I wish I was joking.

[Fromper]

Really? You'd rather argue semantics than have what could be an interesting discussion about non-standard classes?

[CRobledo]

Prestige Classes I would say are more common:
Dragon Disciple
Arcane Trickster
Eldritch Knight
Loremaster
Shadowdancer
Champion of Irori
Living Monolith
Master Chymist
Rage Prophet
Winter Witch

Others I have seen at least 1 of:
Bloatmage (2 total, including myself)
Halfling Opportunist (1)
Diabolist (1)
Aldori Swordlord (1)
Hellknight (1)
Horizon Walker (1, myself and only a dip)
Magaambyan Arcanist (1)

[Tim Vincent]

Just tell us what you mean.

Do you mean Prestige classes? Define the point of the thread.

[pathar]

Tim Vincent wrote:

Just tell us what you mean.

Do you mean Prestige classes? Define the point of the thread.

I would argue that he already did, Tim:

Fromper wrote:

I've only seen a couple of prestige classes here and there, and I can't think of any that I've seen more than once. Are there any that are specifically popular?

[Leg o' Lamb]

I have three or four PCs I play regularly. Two of those have Prestige class levels. They are also the two PCs I enjoy playing the most.

1) Fighter/ Order of the Nail Hellknight
2) Fighter (Aldori Swordlord archetype)/ Aldori Swordlord and Duelist (a twofer!)

I don't see a lot of Prestige classes locally. I know of one Eldritch Knight, one Arcane Archer(?) Trickster(?), and one Hellknight Signifer.

[Tim Vincent]

pathar wrote:

Tim Vincent wrote:

Just tell us what you mean.

Do you mean Prestige classes? Define the point of the thread.

I would argue that he already did, Tim:

Fromper wrote:

I've only seen a couple of prestige classes here and there, and I can't think of any that I've seen more than once. Are there any that are specifically popular?

Thumbs up!

[Rei]

I only know of a few PCs with prestige classes in all of Finland. Two Dragon Disciples, one Shadowdancer (soon to be joined by another), one Halfling Opportunist, one Pathfinder Delver, and I think one Living Monolith. One character I know of is approaching Arcane Trickster and I think another intends to go Arcane Archer, but that's the extent of it.

I have quite a few characters I'm considering building to hit prestige classes, but a lot of them trip over either unclear rulings (can an Oracle become a Divine Scion?) or crippling entry requirements (would have loved to dip my Summoner a level of Riftwarden, but those feat requirements would kill her functionality). And at one point I considered a Paladin of Apsu/Sorcerer/Dragon Disciple, but then decided it was too stupid even for me, plus Apsu apparently doesn't give spells to non-dragon worshipers.

[Bbauzh ap Aghauzh]

jon dehning wrote:

I have three or four PCs I play regularly. Two of those have Prestige class levels. They are also the two PCs I enjoy playing the most.

1) Fighter/ Order of the Nail Hellknight
2) Fighter (Aldori Swordlord archetype)/ Aldori Swordlord and Duelist (a twofer!)

I don't see a lot of Prestige classes locally. I know of one Eldritch Knight, one Arcane Archer(?) Trickster(?), and one Hellknight Signifer.

There is also a Dragon Disciple (Bathazar)

my main character is a Rage Prophet (coolest moment of playing through The Eyes of the Ten, I wanted to cast divination and you get a percentage chance you get an answer based on caster level and some other stuff. Well Rage Prophet 7 happens to get a +2 to caster level when casting a spell using moment of clarity rage power while raging. GM (who happened to be Kyle Baird) hears me say, "Oh, and if I cast this spell while raging, I get a +2 caster level," And he's like, "Of course, why wouldn't you?" Then I roleplayed being in a rage and asking my question of Cayden. It was quite funny.)

I will have an Eldritch Knight if I ever play my 2nd level Wizard again.

I think we have a Mystic Theurge in the area.

Ryan Blomquist has a Shadowdancer and is going for Bloatmage with one of his characters.

But to answer the OP...

I think Oracle is the most popular non-core class that I see at tables.

Because with all the mysteries out there, you can create a Healer that's better than a cleric, a knowledge guy that's better than a Bard, a blaster that's better than a Sorcerer, a front line fighter that is at least on par with a Fighter, an animal companion character that is better than a Druid, etc. Of course the "better" part might be arguable. "More Interesting" or "the same but different" might be better terms.

[Curaigh]

My first PFS table as GM (at PaizoCon) had two Hellknights (both VOs:). They took different paths to get there. I have seen a few more since then. I have seen a couple Dragon Disciples (magus/sorc was one). I have seen one Shadowdancer, one Bloatmage, and one Grey Maiden. My highest character is only level 6, which is the earliest you will see most PrC so my perception is a little skewed.

I really want to play a Red Mantis Assassin, but sort of settled on a Red Mantis Assassin Assassin (pali/GM blob/dragon disciple).

[Chris Mortika]

I am an odd duck, insofar as most of my PCs have taken levels in prestige classes.

dwarf Inquisitor / Pathfinder Delver
human Paladin / Hellknight (Scourge)
oread Monk / Fighter / Living Monolith
tiefling Fighter / Magus / Aldori Swordlord
aasimar Cavalier / Sorcerer / Eldritch Knight

Generally speaking as a GM, I've seen two types of characters use prestige classes: those who have been built to fit into the prestige class' core themes, and those who dip into them one or two levels for mechanical benefits but don't necessarily buy into the flavor.

[Majuba]

Interesting question Fromper!

I have a Bloatmage and a Lantern Bearer. Planning on a Halfling Opportunist, but it'll be a while.

I've seen a Living Monolith, a Loremaster, a Rage Prophet, and a Hellknight (I think).

I've heard of locally a Master Chymist, and a Dragon Disciple (I think).

That's about it.

[Caderyn]

Ones I have used or will be using, most I my PC's have at least 2 classes and usually a prestige class to round them out

Fighter 1/Monk 4/Brother of the Seal X (you need 5 levels and monk 5 is a dead level for BaB unless you are flurrying so fighter 1 is better)

Paladin 8/Inquisitor 1/Mammoth Rider 1/Fighter 1

Fighter 1/Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight X

Fighter 1/Sorc 4/Dragon Disciple X

Fighter 3/Rogue 4/Hellknight X

Fighter 3/Barbarian 2/Living Monolith X

I have seen a Lantern Bearer, Rage Prophet (died), a Paladin/Hellknight