Hey all. I've been in the process of creating my own campaign setting (a whole new world; no Aladdin jokes please :P) and I am seeing a need to create some new Prestige classes and archetypes to add flavor.
Is there any specific guidelines our there that would help me in the creation process for prestige classes and archetypes besides "keep them balanced"?
Part of my problem is stuff like:
"What level should I have an ability?"
"How strong/weak should I make the ability?"
I keep having lots of questions on this and I have heard rumors that the Advanced Class Guide will have a system coming out that will help with this, but that doesn't come out till August 2014. I don't want to wait that long.
Any help will be appreciated.
There are 2 questions that you must ask about making archetypes and prestige classes.
1) Do I intend for PC's to make use of these classes or just NPC's?
2a) If for PC use: Would I take these classes/ give up other class features for these if I were playing a character? ANSWER TRUTHFULLY.
2b) If not for PC use: What do I need to make encounters challenging or interesting at appropriate levels?
There are 2 questions that you must ask about making archetypes and prestige classes.
1) Do I intend for PC's to make use of these classes or just NPC's?
2a) If for PC use: Would I take these classes/ give up other class features for these if I were playing a character? ANSWER TRUTHFULLY.
2b) If not for PC use: What do I need to make encounters challenging or interesting at appropriate levels?
I appreciate the comment. I tend to fail at that when coming up with ideas. I come up with ideas and try and figure out ways that fit the concept. Worthwhile questions to ask for sure.
Thanks.
don't sweat it too much; Paizo publishes Prestige Classes that get s+*+ like "Character Level 15: Spend one minute to make an inprovised tool count as a masterwork tool" and "level 12: Cast Greater Planar Binding".
Whenever an archetype removes a class feature, it should replace it with another feature gained at the same level. Otherwise you end up creating "empty levels" with no class features at all, as Paizo occasionally has.
I appreciate your insight. Those are helpful.
Is there any other guidelines people follow for making PrC and Archetypes?
There haven't been any codified rules or guidelines. An entire chapter of the Advanced Class Guide will actually be exactly what you are looking for...and it comes out in August. :(
I would use the perquisites for a PrC to figure out what character level someone is going to be at each level and place abilities of approximate power to what single class characters would have at that level.
Archetypes are simple exchanges of abilities with similar levels of power that match up with the flavour of the archetype in question. I've done these for my own campaigns, and—while a lot of work—it isn't as hard as you might think.
There haven't been any codified rules or guidelines. An entire chapter of the Advanced Class Guide will actually be exactly what you are looking for...and it comes out in August. :(
I would use the perquisites for a PrC to figure out what character level someone is going to be at each level and place abilities of approximate power to what single class characters would have at that level.
Archetypes are simple exchanges of abilities with similar levels of power that match up with the flavour of the archetype in question. I've done these for my own campaigns, and—while a lot of work—it isn't as hard as you might think.
Thanks for the input.
I understand the basics with archetypes. What are some things you do for making archetypes that helps in the creation process?
