Optional rule (as always with UA), earliest entry will be 3rd level (5th level in the example), and heavy fluff restrictions.
I'm not sure if I like the concept of Prestige Class coming back. I liked the deliberate simplicity and the built-in class archetypes concepts, and I'm afraid this will muddy things up.
I guess I should wait and see how it turns out before making my mind about it.
'findel
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I guess PRC can be usefull for organisation. Let say a fictive knightly order of griffon rider. The PRC would rant some abilities about riding a griffon. Should that class only available to Fighter, or Paladin, or Cleric, etc.? That's the limitation of sub-class. Instead, a PRC could allow you to multiclass for a few level into the Griffon rider PRC, watherever is your class, as long as you meet the requirement.
On the other hand they should be geared toward fluff and cool concept and make you less powerfull than going full class with your base class. You choose to get level in a PRC in order to push forward your concept, not just to mechanically boost your character.
Maybe a limit to a single PRC per character...
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I think a lot of the 5 level PrCs could be converted to 5E feats. I think Prestige Feats would be a very interesting design space.
I like how the Rune Scribe is presented. Subclasses are cool, and I really enjoy that approach, but I also like the option for forgotten lore rediscovered, organizations with special skills, and things like that, to exist independent of a class.
I love that you can have a Rune Scribe wizard as well as a Rune Scribe fighter with the right background.
I was thinking the same thing Dan, and also considering something that allowed replacing class features like fighting style for the martial classes, except that's a terrible example because fighting style is granted at 1st level.
Back in one of playtest packets, Arcane Archer was a feat. As I remember it pruned the prestige class down to imbuing a normal arrow into a (+1) magic weapon, or a with spell you know/have prepared. They did away with all the ethereal etc. arrows, but the feat was cool enough for me. I really like the idea of decoupling prestige classes from hit dice and proficiency bonus, so that it's something you sort of graft onto your existing class advancement, if that makes sense.
. . . Or maybe I'm just trying to rules lawyer a psionic ambuscade ranger into existence; ROXXOR!!1!
I think as long as the focus remains on organizations, orders, that kind of thing, rather than just focusing on a bunch of awesome class features, it's gonna be okay.
And don't get me started on psionic ambuscade. :P
It's just called celerity when it's psionics. #innocentsmile
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An alternative would be to make the prestige classes more into the "non level dependent rewards" that they have in the DMG. Boons I think they were called? Maybe make them available at certain level intervals to bolster a game, and give a character options that aren't necessarily tied to class or level, but that make some thematic sense. Especially if it is tied to an organization, and could potentially tie in to several characters at once (or the entire group).
I think the odd levels where you don't get proficiency bonus increases might be a good place for some non-class related benefits.
EDIT:
Arcane Archer is kind of built into the baseline ranger, which is basically a spell-buffing and magical arrow delivery system.
But it would be neat if there was a feat that let you use cantrips more like weapons, like letting Eldritch Knights get Extra Attacks with cantrips, or add cantrip damage to a weapon attack or allow Arcane Tricksters to sneak attack with cantrips. Something fun like that. And (maybe not so) obviously tweaked to not be overpowered.
I really like the Rune Scribe, though. Those are some fun and neat abilities.
But a lot of 3.0-3.5-PF Prestige Classes could be reworked into 5E archetypes, like they did for Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster. Even the way multiclassed spell casting works is a lot like the Mystic Theurge.
Yeah, I'd much rather see a bunch of new feats and archetypes than adding yet another subset of class option. That said, I like the idea of Rune Magic, just not the Prestige Class baggage.
Strange. I thought 5e made prestige classes obsolete. Why not just make a new class archetype instead?
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Rune magic strikes me as similar to the Akashic Paths that Dreamscarred Press is releasing. Kind of a shame that it hinges on a magic item mechanic though. I think that it is a bit of a turn off.
I think that I like the idea of having options that aren't necessarily tied to a class and thus being an archetype, but the implementation becomes very tricky.
They could make it a feat instead of a PrC, and require a 1st level spell, which non-casters could get from Magic Initiate (I think that's what it's called) or dipping or choosing an archetype. I think every class has an archetype with at least a little bit of spellcasting, even if it's a totem barbarian using ritual magic.
And the circle is now complete !! (Maniacal laugh)
I like the idea though some additional info, like prerequisites and features, could be explained a bit better.