RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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What is the earliest level one could take prestige classes (with unusual character builds)? What is the earliest intended level for one to take a prestige class (no overly special builds to qualify)?
I only did a quick look and it seems that level 7 is a very popular level for them. This is different from what I had thought was the norm: 6th level. Is this true across most of the prestige classes?
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Many prestige classes have a BAB or skill rank requirement. This is a way to prescribe a level requirement for the class without saying 'x level' is required.
There are also prestige classes that have a spellcasting requirement, which would have been similar to a level requirement. 'Able to cast 3d level arcane spells' would put the requirement at 5th-level wizards, or 6th-level sorcerers (among others). However, the ruling that spell-like abilities can count for spellcasting requirements has opened things up for early-entry into prestige classes. There has been much discussion on the forums.
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Indeed, 6th-7th level is the default norm for entry into a PrC, but the not-quite-new-anymore ruling on SLAs means that in some cases you can get in as early as 2nd level. For example, a vanilla aasimar has daylight as a spell-like ability, which counts as being able to cast 3rd-level arcane spells. So as soon as she's proficient in all martial weapons, she can take Eldritch Knight. Of course, going in at 2nd means you're Magus1/EldritchKnightX, which would utterly suck compared to just going straight magus. A better early entry would be a level of fighter, a level or two of wizard with the divination (scrying) subschool for the send senses SLA (3rd-level arcane), and then EK.
But even then you're looking at waiting until 5th level before you're anything more than a fighter who uses mage armor. For all the cries of "OMG BROKEN WAT R DEVS THINKING" when that FAQ came out, it's had a pretty small impact on the game (as near as I can tell).
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In another thread discussing PrC's, it was noted that the Core classes got an improvement and added features that augment them. PrC's, though, simply got copied over with skill ranks adjusted for the new Skill mechanic (not having 1st level characters get X4 ranks) and lagged behind or in some cases (I would have to include the Shadowdancer in this) made obsolete.
I believe that they should have been looked at to begin being available at around 4th level and have been revamped to go along with the new Core better than what they do now.
Right now, there are some that can't be taken until right at the 9th or even 10th level. (for a 10 level PrC)
PrC's also suffer from the fact that Archtypes have done some of the same things as they had for less hassle and kept within a class that gets it's own abilities (that haven't been replaced) kept going while PrC's stop the progression.
In my mind, PrC's were clunky to begin with and written as a way for the DM (They were in the DM's Guide) to add spice and flare to NPC's. (The Assassin, in particular, was a full NPC class unless you had Evil heroic characters)
I still miss the Pyrokinesis, though it wouldn't be the same without my Soul Knife.
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I still miss the Pyrokinesis, though it wouldn't be the same without my Soul Knife.
Psionics Unleashed says, "Yo dawg, why haven't you called me for the past five years? Did you lose my cell phone number?"
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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What is the rules question?
What is the earliest level one could take prestige classes (with unusual character builds)?
What is the earliest intended level for one to take a prestige class (no overly special builds to qualify)?
Do those not qualify as rules question?
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I still miss the Pyrokinesis, though it wouldn't be the same without my Soul Knife.Psionics Unleashed says, "Yo dawg, why haven't you called me for the past five years? Did you lose my cell phone number?"
"Man, the Society keeps bringing the Psionically inclined down, not including it in the Additional Resources, Ya dig?"
Yeah, I have the book. Mostly been playing in Society. Sucks.