Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Taeldrin Laesrash 01-01-06, 07:34 PM	I'm playing an Elven Archivist in an upcoming campaign. While I could stay single-classed for it, I'd like to take levels in a prestige class, preferably with full casting progression. As far as I can tell, my DM hasn't banned anything, and we're starting at level 5. Any suggestions? Thanks.
tsuyoshikentsu 01-01-06, 07:46 PM	Archivist is pretty good on its own, but you can go Loremaster for no casting loss and good flavor. Any PrC that grants a domain is good, too, because then you can use anyspell. Finally, anytihng that grants turning lets you use Divine Metamagic on an Archivist, which is simply sickening.
Taliesin52 01-02-06, 03:11 AM	Sacred Exorcist would be best as it gives turning, which in turn gives persistant divine spell (and other divine metamagics if you like). I like the Inquisitor one (forget the name offhand), and if you're not interested in your core abilities as an archivist, it can be taken at very low levels. Contemplative is also good for the immunities and more importantly the free domains. Basically.... Exorcist or anything that grants domains.
tsuyoshikentsu 01-02-06, 05:03 AM	Sacred Exorcist would be best as it gives turning, which in turn gives persistant divine spell (and other divine metamagics if you like). I like the Inquisitor one (forget the name offhand), and if you're not interested in your core abilities as an archivist, it can be taken at very low levels. Contemplative is also good for the immunities and more importantly the free domains. Basically.... Exorcist or anything that grants domains. Church Inquisitor, yes. I totally agree with the above IF you're just in Archivist for the casting. My first post assumes you want Dark Knowledge, et all.
Taliesin52 01-02-06, 10:12 AM	Church Inquisitor, yes. I totally agree with the above IF you're just in Archivist for the casting. My first post assumes you want Dark Knowledge, et all. Agreed. At the very least, I'd take Archivist to gain the +xd6 damage Dark Knowledge, if not the Stunning one (although that one largely depends on the types of foes your DM sends). If you have a party that attacks a lot (especially with dual weilders or archers) the +xd6 damage ability is a huge boost.
pfooti 01-02-06, 10:13 PM	The way I see it, prestige classes should either enhance the archivist ability (spellcasting) or cover its weaknesses (BAB, HD, turning). Here are some that have caught my eye. Dweomerkeeper (CD Web Enhancement): Takes a bit of doing to get into, but what a beautiful PrC. 'Nuff said. Divine Disciple (PgtF): Divine Disciple is a full caster PrC that most people enter in order to pick up the Outsider status that happens at level 5. But there's also a bonus domain at level 4, which can come in handy, especially when you're trying to get into Dweomerkeeper. Contemplative (CD): I'm not really happy with this PrC, but it has some strengths, especially since it also grants outsider status and bonus domains and is not setting-specific, although as I read it, you can't enter it until after level 10. Divine Oracle (CD): Who doesn't want evasion? Radiant Servant of Pelor (CD): Grants access to martial weapons, full caster progression, and some good abilities. Sacred Exorcist (CD): Grants turn undead (the only PrC that grants it, AFAIK) Runecaster (PgtF): Full caster progression, but you end up with a 3/4 BAB and d8 hitdice. I'm not fond of the class abilities, but if you're just in archivist for spellcasting, you can look more like a cleric. Fist of Raziel (BoED): Sacrifice your first caster level, but you gain a full BAB, d10 hitdie, proficiency with martial weapons and heavy armor, and some cool smitey abilities. Dracolyte (Draconomicon): Similar to Runecaster, you sacrifice your Archivist class abilities for some somewhat weak abilities but gain 3/4 BAB and a hitdie increase. Dragonslayer (Draconomicon): A nice 1-level dip which grants proficiency with all armor and martial weapons. Seeker of the Misty Isle (CD): Elves only, but some decent class abilities and you can take 4 levels of it before you take a caster level hit. If your DM allows unearthed arcana, Human Paragon deserves a mention. You get some decent goodies, including 2 BAB and a martial weapon proficiency and could enter into it really early but have to sacrifice a caster level, which could delay entry into your PrCs. I'm not sure how I feel about it.
pfooti 01-02-06, 10:27 PM	As far as builds go, the one that I think might be worth a close look is Archivist 11 / Divine Disciple 5 / Dweomerkeeper 4. You need to take the Spell domain as your bonus domain from Divine Disciple 4, but you get outsider polymorph, 1 supernatural spell per day, and mantle of spells 2. Plus which, you also get Dread Secret from the Archivist progression. If you're willing to jump out of Archivist before level 11 (when you get Dread Secret), you could enter Divine Disciple after CL 7, leaving you space to take a level of Sacred Exorcist (for turn undead / divine metamagic stuff) and maybe three other levels of dweomerkeeper for more supernatural spells per day. The two hitdie bump PrCs (Runecaster and Dracolyte) are both enterable after level 5, so if you really hate the Archivist class abilities you can jump into that for levels 6+ until you decide to switch over into a more interesting PrC. For a gishy build, try Archivist 3 / Human Paragon 3 / Runecaster 4 / Fist of Raziel 10, I haven't triple-checked all the entry requirements, but I think it's doable, and it nets CL 18, and BAB 16.