Base Classes Versus Prestige Classes [Archive] - Wizards Community

Base Classes Versus Prestige Classes [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zovc
09-30-07, 03:30 PM Alright, let's start off with me stating (again) that I am very inexperienced when it comes to dungeons and dragons.

I started browsing these forums for ideas and inspiration for a campaign I'm trying to make for my friends and I to enjoy, also for knowledge as well, and I am noticing that a lot of the base classes presented are rather speciffic.

I was wondering, isn't there supposed to be a line between base classes and prestige classes? I always thought that base classes were meant to be broad with at least two distinct paths that classes could take, for example, the ranger with his two fighting styles. I was under the impression that prestige classes expanded on the specialization you made with your base class.

Am I wrong with my assumption? I know this hasn't been written in stone or anything of that sort, but I like a lot of the classes I see, and the way they're presented, all characters of those classes who share alignments, for example, will be exactly the same aside from the feats they get every couple of levels.
Yosho
09-30-07, 03:44 PM You are right with the assumtion that base classes are ment to be varied and prestige classes are ment to be for specialization. However wizards has been making classes that alow players to play roles from the start instead of waiting 5-10 levels to play the character that they would like. If you dislike base classes that have a narrow focus then dont allow them in your campains, but if one of your players want to play that concept they will have to wait for some time to enter a prestige class. Hope that helps.
Axiomatic_vampire
09-30-07, 06:54 PM Some base classes allow more freedom than some. Monks and Paladins come to mind. However, even within a specific alignment, there is room for divergence. Different tactical approaches to certain situations can be alignment appropriate. Two Lawful Good characters can argue heatedly (even violently) about the "right" course of action. Basically, don't let the alignments get you down. They're not that demanding, and it's not strange to break alignment now and again, although maybe not for paladins who have to atone every time they screw up. For other classes though, don't let alignment dictate how you play, other than in a broad sense of underlying tendencies
jradd777
09-30-07, 11:00 PM Personally, I think it'd be cooler to change up multi-classing so that it works more like prestiging than to actually have PrC (except in conditions where PrC are actually an elite or exclusive group, such as Thayan Knight). Maybe, where there would be requirements that you'd have to meet to be able to start up a second class at a level higher than 1st.

As the system is set up right now, I feel a need to go into some PrC just to keep up with the guys that I game with because so many of them seem to give great benefits. At the same time, if I could find the right combination of base classes I'd have the same thing... except all the penalties that I might incur and low levels you have to go through to get the better benefits.
Zovc
09-30-07, 11:21 PM Personally, I think it'd be cooler to change up multi-classing so that it works more like prestiging than to actually have PrC (except in conditions where PrC are actually an elite or exclusive group, such as Thayan Knight). Maybe, where there would be requirements that you'd have to meet to be able to start up a second class at a level higher than 1st.
I agree, I always thought that was the purpose of multiclassing.

As the system is set up right now, I feel a need to go into some PrC just to keep up with the guys that I game with because so many of them seem to give great benefits. At the same time, if I could find the right combination of base classes I'd have the same thing... except all the penalties that I might incur and low levels you have to go through to get the better benefits.
Yeah, multiclassing is pretty taxing, considering lots of PrCs can work just as well, if not better, for even less experience. The whole favored class system tries to cover that up, but it's quite limited when it comes to roleplaying applications.
jradd777
10-01-07, 01:54 AM Exactly, ... to be honest, I just began talking to a guy that I game with a lot about an idea that I'd like to develop where we leave PrC for people who want to but also have a system where... for example:

Fighter Level 8 with particular pre-req's (maybe a couple of divine type feats that would be pretty useless for them as a fighter, or that took a couple ranks in knowledge [religion]) could multiclass into Paladin starting at level 4 or 5 (maybe not gaining ALL of the Paladin abilities but some that he skipped over and the 4th or 5th level ones).

However, Paladins are full BAB, expected to fight, with similar saves, etc. If the same Fighter wanted to MultiC into a sorc or wiz (took meta-magic feats or ranks in Knowledge [arcana]), would only be able to start at about level 2 or 3.

With the diversity of base classes a person would "invent" their own PrC. Maybe mixing Warlock with Dragon Sham, Fighter with Swordsage, Swashbuckler with Monk, whatever gives you the flavor or combination of abilities that you would like to end up with.

I don't know and it would take a TON of work but I think I'm going to look into seeing if something like that could work, at the very least for our party.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zovc 09-30-07, 03:30 PM	Alright, let's start off with me stating (again) that I am very inexperienced when it comes to dungeons and dragons. I started browsing these forums for ideas and inspiration for a campaign I'm trying to make for my friends and I to enjoy, also for knowledge as well, and I am noticing that a lot of the base classes presented are rather speciffic. I was wondering, isn't there supposed to be a line between base classes and prestige classes? I always thought that base classes were meant to be broad with at least two distinct paths that classes could take, for example, the ranger with his two fighting styles. I was under the impression that prestige classes expanded on the specialization you made with your base class. Am I wrong with my assumption? I know this hasn't been written in stone or anything of that sort, but I like a lot of the classes I see, and the way they're presented, all characters of those classes who share alignments, for example, will be exactly the same aside from the feats they get every couple of levels.
Yosho 09-30-07, 03:44 PM	You are right with the assumtion that base classes are ment to be varied and prestige classes are ment to be for specialization. However wizards has been making classes that alow players to play roles from the start instead of waiting 5-10 levels to play the character that they would like. If you dislike base classes that have a narrow focus then dont allow them in your campains, but if one of your players want to play that concept they will have to wait for some time to enter a prestige class. Hope that helps.
Axiomatic_vampire 09-30-07, 06:54 PM	Some base classes allow more freedom than some. Monks and Paladins come to mind. However, even within a specific alignment, there is room for divergence. Different tactical approaches to certain situations can be alignment appropriate. Two Lawful Good characters can argue heatedly (even violently) about the "right" course of action. Basically, don't let the alignments get you down. They're not that demanding, and it's not strange to break alignment now and again, although maybe not for paladins who have to atone every time they screw up. For other classes though, don't let alignment dictate how you play, other than in a broad sense of underlying tendencies
jradd777 09-30-07, 11:00 PM	Personally, I think it'd be cooler to change up multi-classing so that it works more like prestiging than to actually have PrC (except in conditions where PrC are actually an elite or exclusive group, such as Thayan Knight). Maybe, where there would be requirements that you'd have to meet to be able to start up a second class at a level higher than 1st. As the system is set up right now, I feel a need to go into some PrC just to keep up with the guys that I game with because so many of them seem to give great benefits. At the same time, if I could find the right combination of base classes I'd have the same thing... except all the penalties that I might incur and low levels you have to go through to get the better benefits.
Zovc 09-30-07, 11:21 PM	Personally, I think it'd be cooler to change up multi-classing so that it works more like prestiging than to actually have PrC (except in conditions where PrC are actually an elite or exclusive group, such as Thayan Knight). Maybe, where there would be requirements that you'd have to meet to be able to start up a second class at a level higher than 1st. I agree, I always thought that was the purpose of multiclassing. As the system is set up right now, I feel a need to go into some PrC just to keep up with the guys that I game with because so many of them seem to give great benefits. At the same time, if I could find the right combination of base classes I'd have the same thing... except all the penalties that I might incur and low levels you have to go through to get the better benefits. Yeah, multiclassing is pretty taxing, considering lots of PrCs can work just as well, if not better, for even less experience. The whole favored class system tries to cover that up, but it's quite limited when it comes to roleplaying applications.
jradd777 10-01-07, 01:54 AM	Exactly, ... to be honest, I just began talking to a guy that I game with a lot about an idea that I'd like to develop where we leave PrC for people who want to but also have a system where... for example: Fighter Level 8 with particular pre-req's (maybe a couple of divine type feats that would be pretty useless for them as a fighter, or that took a couple ranks in knowledge [religion]) could multiclass into Paladin starting at level 4 or 5 (maybe not gaining ALL of the Paladin abilities but some that he skipped over and the 4th or 5th level ones). However, Paladins are full BAB, expected to fight, with similar saves, etc. If the same Fighter wanted to MultiC into a sorc or wiz (took meta-magic feats or ranks in Knowledge [arcana]), would only be able to start at about level 2 or 3. With the diversity of base classes a person would "invent" their own PrC. Maybe mixing Warlock with Dragon Sham, Fighter with Swordsage, Swashbuckler with Monk, whatever gives you the flavor or combination of abilities that you would like to end up with. I don't know and it would take a TON of work but I think I'm going to look into seeing if something like that could work, at the very least for our party.