So I am relatively new to the game though with a solid foundation in old school AD&D.
I am a bit confused by prestige classes and archtypes.
Do prestige classes take the place of new levels? Add to?
So if I meet the requirements of a prestige class what does taking the prestige class mean moving forward? Do I still take regular class levels?
And what about Archtypes and how do they get implemented and work exactly?
Thanks
Phillip
A prestige class is nothing more than a class that has prerequisites to enter; you multiclass normally with them. So, say, if your Wizard 3/Cleric 3 goes into Mystic Theurge, he becomes Wizard 3/Cleric 3/Mystic Theurge 1.
Archetypes simply replace the class features that they say they do. The Archer archetype for the fighter replaces Bravery with Hawkeye, so you simply no longer have the Bravery feature and now have the Hawkeye feature.
The archetypes are like the kits of 2nd (i think) edition.
Pretty much what the others said: Archetypes are like class kits from AD&D 2nd Edition.
Prestige classes are like the original Bard class from AD&D 1st Edition: You have to meet prerequisite in other classes before you can enter a prestige class.
It's certainly possible to do both: Take an archetype on your original class, and then multiclass into a prestige class.
If you've never played D&D 3rd Edition, multiclassing works very differently that in AD&D. It's kind of like dual-classing in AD&D, but a bit different.
Ok that all makes sense then.
Thanks for the info gents.
Phillip