Prestige classes? [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

BIGMamaSloth

2011-02-26, 10:18 PM

I like prestige classes. they make me feel like my character is more part of a selected order and more special than the layman.

My question is, whats your favorite prestige class? Name any one you've had fun with or are just partial to. It would be great if you stated a reason why as well. :smallsmile:

starwoof

2011-02-26, 10:22 PM

I don't take prestige classes a lot of the time, but I think that's mostly because I never get to play as a player. :smallannoyed: That said, I am in love with the Hellfire Warlock from Tyrants of the Nine Hells. Its got awesome fluff, cool abilities, and it makes me feel like a true blaster.

One of my favorite characters ever was a warforged warlock who sold his soul to Mephistopheles to see whether or not he had one. It turned out he did, and now he wants his soul back! He was a hellfire warlock that carried around a wand of lesser restoration to use every other round or so to counteract the con loss from throwing all those Hellfire Blasts. :smallbiggrin: Super fun to play, I really like having to stop and recharge every few rounds so that I wouldn't kill myself.

All in all, a very cool prestige class that I hope to use again.

Sinpoder

2011-02-26, 10:35 PM

Well...... Personally I am a gaint fan of the Gray Guard. For one single reason.... Devestation Touch. The ability to use your lay on hand ability against a evil creature and use the points you can heal to damage instead. My Paladin has used that ability to kill alot of enemies....

Urpriest

2011-02-26, 10:48 PM

Greetings!

In addition to the username, Malconvoker looks like a blast to play, as does Fleshwarper. I've played a pretty fun Dervish (though he was mainly good at slaughtering defenseless villagers). And recently I've been wondering what it would be like to play a Tainted Scholar/Subverted Psion. Sure you break the game in half either way, but the mechanic of gaining taint for casting is otherwise so dynamic and cool.

I also like Eunuch Warlock because it's one of the only prestige classes with Gender: Male as a prerequisite, and Scion of Tem-Et-Nu because of hippos.

The-Mage-King

2011-02-26, 10:51 PM

Only one? I can't do that.

More than one? Sure.

Force Missile Mage- MOAR LAZERS.

Eternal Blade- Need I say it? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBgFH27e4Dk&feature=related)

Chameleon- Job Mastered! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQUeV0qT4SM)

And a few more, for similar reasons...

EDIT: Oh, forgot about the Fleshwarper. That looks fun.

Daftendirekt

2011-02-26, 10:54 PM

Drunken Master - some really unique class abilities (removing the need to straight-line charge? hell yes)

Red Wizard - yes, they're evil bastards, but that's part of why I like them. Also, I just see them as being The Ultimate Wizards, what with their Spell Power and Circle Magic. They're like DnD Sith, minus the swordplay. Haven't actually played one yet (except a one-shot that sucked balls), but I want to now and see how it goes.

Vangor

2011-02-26, 10:58 PM

Shade Hunter because of Expert Packer and Tools of the Trade. Reduce weight of your inventory by 10% and randomly create a mundane piece of equipment up to 10g daily? How do you stop this beast and his infinite supply of 18lbs tents?

Daftendirekt

2011-02-26, 11:00 PM

Open your own campground, zomg!

Telonius

2011-02-26, 11:12 PM

There are so many good ones to choose from!

Drunken Master - as if the PCs needed another excuse to get drunk. Whoo!

Master of Masks - Hated the execution, but absolutely fell in love with the concept. A very good one-level dip for a combat-oriented Rogue.

But my all-time favorite still has to go to Horizon Walker. I love the concept of an "eternal wanderer." And (as Saph's famous build shows) it offers one of the best Core melee builds.

Dusk Eclipse

2011-02-26, 11:17 PM

Daftendirekt

2011-02-26, 11:18 PM

Tellflamar Shadowlord will always have a place in my heart, because I love shadow-pounce, it is definitely one of my favourite things in D&D period.

This. Also, the whole concept of it and of the Shadowlords is just cool. I love Faerun's organizations (Them, the Shadow Thieves, the Red Wizards, the Olin Gisir...)

Fox Box Socks

2011-02-26, 11:36 PM

Fortune's Friend.

Goes especially well with Duskblades.

SamTheSane

2011-02-27, 02:14 AM

Maybe not the strongest, but was always partial to the alienist - interesting summons and insanity is a class feature!

Saintheart

2011-02-27, 02:18 AM

Ruby. Knight. VinWINdicator.

Because nothing makes your DM cry more than basically casting your entire Paladin spell list in roughly two rounds with little more than a couple of Nightsticks, Battle Blessing feat, and the Divine Impetus class feature.

And the PrC itself has lovely fluff: you are the Omega Line Of Defence for the God of Death.

Scarlet-Devil

2011-02-27, 02:20 AM

Ghost-faced Killer. Also Dervish.

Uhtred

2011-02-27, 02:46 AM

Cavestalker + War Hulk + Minotaur = DEVASTATING COMBO. All it needs is a level of Hulking Hurler and for the two spiked chains he's wielding to have the "Returning" enchantment on them. BLARG

Leon

2011-02-27, 03:07 AM

Sacred Fist - Monk/Druidic Avenger Entry

Hazzardevil

2011-02-27, 03:12 AM

I to be honest have recently discovered and fallen in love with Runesmith and Silver Pyromancer providing I don't have to lose a level of casting.

Runesmith: No arcanfe spell failure, easy perequsistics apart from being a dwarf and being able to share explosive runes with an ally making it dangerous for literate opponents to get too close, come to think of it I must try that in my new game.

Silver Pyromancer: The make Fire burn holy and they smite evil with a spell. Oh and theres dozens of ways of becoming one. There are 4 different dietys a cleric can worship to become one.

starwoof

2011-02-27, 03:18 AM

Runesmith: No arcanfe spell failure, easy perequsistics apart from being a dwarf and being able to share explosive runes with an ally making it dangerous for literate opponents to get too close, come to think of it I must try that in my new game.

Oh snap, I forgot about this class. Also one of my favorites! Its a very cool image, the heavily armored dwarf in full plate. I need to do it at some point...

Coidzor

2011-02-27, 03:21 AM

Oh snap, I forgot about this class. Also one of my favorites! Its a very cool image, the heavily armored dwarf in full plate. I need to do it at some point...

It's really the most proper dwarven wizard ever. Just something wrong about dwarves not wearing armor.

starwoof

2011-02-27, 03:24 AM

It's really the most proper dwarven wizard ever. Just something wrong about dwarves not wearing armor.

Yeah, and while they're at it they might as well go whole hog with mountain plate. He's gonna be using overland flight to get everywhere anyway.

Dr.Epic

2011-02-27, 03:30 AM

I like prestige classes. they make me feel like my character is more part of a selected order and more special than the layman.

The way people try to enter them really being a level 15 fighter or wizard seems like a selective class.

But yeah, they do rock. Personally, if you're going for more selected order type thing, the PrC's with special requirements makes it seem more selective. Anyone can get feats, skills, or spells, but to roleplay the special stuff can really make the PrC seem like something special. Brag about getting hit by lightning or partying with a Drunken Master or killing someone just to be an Assassin. Those are a ton of fun!

Amnestic

2011-02-27, 03:53 AM

Divine Oracle. I mean, just look at him:

http://69.8.198.251/dnd/images/cd_gallery/81345.jpg

Takes a certain kind of awesome guy to wear an outfit like that.

Gnorman

2011-02-27, 07:00 AM

Oh man seconding Malconvoker - rarely before has mechanical advantage meshed so well with wonderful fluff.

EDIT: Boo Ron Spencer...

Amphetryon

2011-02-27, 07:47 AM

Jade Phoenix Mage Is a wonderful combination of power and flavor in my book.

Not the most powerful PrC EVAR, but I love Fochlucan Lyrist's 1e Bard feel.

Daftendirekt

2011-02-27, 08:40 AM

Not the most powerful PrC EVAR, but I love Fochlucan Lyrist's 1e Bard feel.

Yeah, always seemed like a cool idea to me, although I have not played one yet. I really want to at some point.

ScionoftheVoid

2011-02-27, 10:37 AM

Master Transmogrifist loses too many caster levels, but the class abilities are incredibly awesome.

Fatespinner is nice, since I like SoX effects and Enervation can put even powerful foes under the limit of the fifth level ability (assuming they're classed Humanoids. Anything else is kind of a no-go).

Red Wizard does look very cool. Some day I'm going to convince the group to get an all specialist Wizard group each with at least one level in it. We might even be able to get one person for each school.

The Dark Fiddler

2011-02-27, 10:41 AM

Got quite a few here, I'll try not to be too long-winded.

Fatespinner: It may only be once a day, but who can resist the ability to tell fate to shut up and reroll any roll?

Frenzied Berserker: Oh sure, your friends will hate you for constantly trying to kill them, but it's the only way to truly have rage.

Drunken Master: I'm drunk, so I fight better. Just an amusing concept.

Bloodstorm Blade: Finally, you can use a greatsword as a thrown weapon.

Invisible Blade: Stabby stabby.

Dragon Disciple: If only it was done better... always wanted to try my hand at redoing it.

A few more, but those are the big ones.

Essence_of_War

2011-02-27, 12:47 PM

You know, pathfinder did a nice re-do of the Dragon Disciple :smallbiggrin:

Always had a soft spot for Invisible Blade, although it is admittedly strangely named.

I also really like the Sanctified Mind/Illithid Slayer psionic classes also! They are very flavorful, have good mechanics and are still well balanced!

mabriss lethe

2011-02-27, 01:18 PM

I love Illithid savants and soul eaters just out of principle.

Chameleon is one of my favorite classes to play, because being able to do everything is kind of awesome

Anima Mage, for flavor, ability and well constructed execution (besides, Binder is one of my favorite classes)

navar100

2011-02-27, 04:07 PM

Master Of Nine

I power gamed a bit but also just for the fun of Book of Nine Swords

Started as Crusader. Multiclassed two levels in Swordsage using unarmed strike variant to save a feat and get the 6 disciplines. In Swordsage I took all the Diamond Mind individual saving throw maneuvers. As Master Of Nine I continued Crusader progression.

With Extra Granted Maneuver Feat, I had 11 maneuvers readied, 9 of them granted, and refresh for free every three rounds. I readied maneuvers from 6 disciplines for +6 to hit and damage on strikes. I had White Raven Tactics and Order Forged From Chaos for terrific party cohesion. The stances I used most were Aura of Perfect Order and Strength of Stone. Never failed a strike attack and immune to critical hits. Yummy! I used Shadow Stride and Shadow Blink for excellent maneuvering around the battlefield. My favorite strikes were White Raven Hammer to autostun my opponent and Greater Insightful Strike for 2 x (1d20 + Concentration) damage. My Concentration was +32 so I was doing minimum 66 damage. Of course, thanks to the saving throw maneuvers it was very, very rare I failed a saving throw which only could happen when I had to make a save when I already used up the appropriate Diamond Mind maneuver and my Crusader's Zealous Surge for the day.

I got to use a lot of Book of Nine Swords with the character. It will be a long time before I get to use it again, if ever. It was a blast!

Lord.Sorasen

2011-02-27, 05:09 PM

I've never been in a campaign long enough to actually be the prestige class I wanted to be, and now that we are getting close I'm the DM :/. But the ones I've wanted to try...

Force Missile Mage - Magic missile forever somehow is something I've always wanted to do. I know the spell is no good but I don't care at all.

Primieval - Neanderthal by day, Anklyosaurus by night.

Apostle of Peace - This one was written so... weird. Having VoP and the specific allowance to wear magic items is awkward and stupid, and calming aura AND calming touch seems sort of dumb, but I like the idea anyway.

Electrokineticist - Does anyone remember Static Shock? I do. And running on lightning while surrounded by lightning with a lightning whip shooting lightning bolts is just something I like a lot.

Prestige Paladin - This PrC is so... so close. I love the idea, I really do. But the prerequisites ruin it. They completely determine your background, demanding cleric and all.. If it didn't require turn undead, or included the "of ____" variants, this would be my favorite. Druid/Paladin, champion of nature, etc etc. Whoo.

LOTRfan

2011-02-27, 05:11 PM

Primieval - Neanderthal by day, Anklyosaurus by night.

Source, please. :smallbiggrin:

Lord.Sorasen

2011-02-27, 05:17 PM

Source, please. :smallbiggrin:

Frostburn, page 65. Something of a bear warrior for people who are not barabrians or would rather be a dinosaur or something. It's actually, I made a few errors.

1. Actually you have to be 1 size category larger at most. So I guess I'd be half-giant half Neanderthal. Anklyosaurus is not debatable for me. But a lot of people love megaraptors, and I think they're large.

2. It's not really "by night". That was a joke. It's several times a day. And it's a short period of time (minute per level). Somehow I don't care.

LOTRfan

2011-02-27, 05:23 PM

Frostburn, page 65. Something of a bear warrior for people who are not barabrians or would rather be a dinosaur or something. It's actually, I made a few errors.

1. Actually you have to be 1 size category larger at most. So I guess I'd be half-giant half Neanderthal. Anklyosaurus is not debatable for me. But a lot of people love megaraptors, and I think they're large.

2. It's not really "by night". That was a joke. It's several times a day. And it's a short period of time (minute per level). Somehow I don't care.

I assumed the "by night" think was a joke. Thanks. :smallsmile:

Hiro Protagonest

2011-02-27, 05:32 PM

Favorite PrCs?

Eternal blade. It's just so cool.

Bloodstorm blade. Awesome abilities.

Dragon disciple. WINGS!:smallbiggrin:

Yora

2011-02-27, 05:35 PM

As a 3rd Ed. player of the first hour, I've fallen in love with the assassin and before I got bored with the flood of forgettable prestige classes, races, feats, and spells of later books.
Then I discovered E6, which basically put the subject of PrCs to rest for me.

calar

2011-02-27, 06:27 PM

Drunken Master - Seriously, how can you NOT love this class :smallbiggrin:

Mindbender - GREAT dipping class. The permenent telepathic bond does wonders for party coordination. Also eternal charm kicks ass.

Cavalier - Awesome image and concept aside, this class has the most REDICULOUS damage potential Ive ever seen.

Dervish - I love the concept, I have yet to put it into practice.

Blackguard - While I am less than impressed by the mechanics of this class, I love the concept. That and they make GREAT villians.

LOTRfan

2011-02-27, 06:31 PM

Primeval (Thank you Lord.Sorasen for bringing this class to my attention)
Dwarven Defender (no, I'm not kidding)
Mystic Theurge (still not kidding)
Exorcist of the Silver Flame
Missile Mage
Landforged Walker
Warforged Juggernaut
Spellcarved Soldier
Green Star Adept (for the last time, I am not kidding!)

Demidos

2011-02-27, 06:34 PM

Arcane Hiero with early entry....yay spell slots!!!:smallbiggrin:

Fox Box Socks

2011-02-27, 06:45 PM

Wizard + Recaster + Escalation Mage = Metamagic shenanigans galore!

starwoof

2011-02-27, 06:47 PM

I like the Elocator. You get to float around EVERYWHERE! It's awesome even if it isn't terribly useful in most situations.

MammonAzrael

2011-02-27, 06:57 PM

calar

2011-02-27, 07:34 PM

I'm surprised that the Swiftblade (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070327) hasn't been mentioned yet. I've always thought of it as an incredible blending of magic and melee, and a logical extension of the realistic advantages haste would grant. It is just an awesome class...and the fact that it is only a 6/10 casting progression and still worth considering is impressive too.

Huh, never knew about that one. Looks intresting and worth a shot.

Urpriest

2011-02-27, 07:41 PM

Always had a soft spot for Invisible Blade, although it is admittedly strangely named.

It was clearer in the Dragon article that first introduced them. Basically they're supposed to fight as if they were wielding some huge sword, when really it's just a tiny dagger. Hence invisible blade, since if feels like the blade extends far past the visible one.

The Glyphstone

2011-02-27, 07:46 PM

I still have a soft spot for the Fleshwarper.

Urpriest

2011-02-27, 07:49 PM

I still have a soft spot for the Fleshwarper.

Also a scaly spot and a chitinous spot and...

CycloneJoker

2011-02-27, 08:14 PM

I'm surprised that the Swiftblade (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070327) hasn't been mentioned yet. I've always thought of it as an incredible blending of magic and melee, and a logical extension of the realistic advantages haste would grant. It is just an awesome class...and the fact that it is only a 6/10 casting progression and still worth considering is impressive too.

Gah, beat me to it! The Swiftblad: the only class you can play as Kamen Rider Kabuto!

Also, I must agree with Fleshwarper, and, must add Knight of the Sacred Seal, especially with Zceryl (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070718), for funny flavor.

Kalaska'Agathas

2011-02-27, 08:48 PM

I'm fond of the Shadowcraft Mage. Mechanically, increased versatility is great - but from a flavor perspective, I'm a guy who is so good at illusions that I can create illusions more real than reality. And I can turn the humble Silent Image into a Miracle. Honestly, rewriting the rules of reality is just fun.

thubby

2011-02-27, 09:33 PM

frenzied berserker. nothing quite as fun as moving cleaves and 4/1 power attack.

stainboy

2011-02-27, 09:54 PM

Assassin. Gets the spells a rogue needs for proper infiltration with no fuss, and doesn't trade off combat ability like most other rogue PrCs. Bonus points for Alter Self, which seems a lot less ridiculous on an 8th-level sneak attacker than it does on a 3rd level wizard.

Shame about that alignment thing though.

Dusk Eclipse

2011-02-27, 09:57 PM

Tellflamar Shadowlord will always have a place in my heart, because I love shadow-pounce, it is definitely one of my favourite things in D&D period.

Elocater and (Illithid) Slayer are also in my Favourite list, as psy-gishes are one of my favourite concepts... guess I should also add Suel Arcanamach, Abjurant Champion and Swiftblade to that list...I guess.

Oh and I just found the Swiftclaw prestige class, it is made of awesome!!!

I'm surprised that the Swiftblade (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070327) hasn't been mentioned yet. I've always thought of it as an incredible blending of magic and melee, and a logical extension of the realistic advantages haste would grant. It is just an awesome class...and the fact that it is only a 6/10 casting progression and still worth considering is impressive too.

:cough: :cough: you were saying?:smallamused:

:smalltongue:

Dalek-K

2011-02-27, 10:05 PM

Vengeance Knight :D

Mostly because they have the starting mechanic to even the odds with casters... Arcane Backlash.

With a little reworking Arcane Backlash could be great if given to the melee types as a class feature.... Hmmm..

I do like the enforcer fluff with it :)

Dusk Eclipse

2011-02-27, 10:13 PM

Dalek-K

2011-02-27, 10:16 PM

Champions of Ruin (Forgotten Realms) I just picked this up today for 10 bucks at a local book store, it has some nasty nasty things in it :D

It is mostly for evil though :P

FMArthur

2011-02-27, 10:20 PM

Definitely Chameleon from RoD. Surprising, isn't it? :smallbiggrin:

In truth, it's not all that well-made; its major claims to fame are the any-list casting, double CL spells, and a really cool intended playstyle. That intended playstyle kind of falls flat on its face when you see how completely awful its noncaster Aptitude Focuses are. It's actually very disappointing to see that it's just a mutable Mystic Theurge in practice - fixing this problem was actually what most of my work on homebrewing a base class version was about, not just extending its lifespan and making it playable earlier.

It's the fluff and the idea that we love about it, though. :smallcool:

Dusk Eclipse

2011-02-27, 10:20 PM

Champions of Ruin (Forgotten Realms) I just picked this up today for 10 bucks at a local book store, it has some nasty nasty things in it :D

It is mostly for evil though :P

I really need to pay more attention to that book..to be honest the only reason I know of that book existence is because all the amazing ranger & assassin spells, herald of weal and woe prestige class and Splitting enhancement.

Thanks

Dalek-K

2011-02-27, 10:26 PM

I really need to pay more attention to that book..to be honest the only reason I know of that book existence is because all the amazing ranger & assassin spells, herald of weal and woe prestige class and Splitting enhancement.

Thanks

No problem,

I'm going to have to run at least a one shot with the stuff in this book... Maybe even an epic one shot to go up against Malkizid the Branded King (ex-solar now demon prince), Kezef the Chaos Hound, or my favorite Dendar the Night Serpent.

I'm not even sure if these were meant to be defeated haha (of course I have no back ground in epic characters).

Calmness

2011-02-27, 10:41 PM

Champion of Gwynharwyf is pure, undistilled awesome. It combines every good class feature of the Paladin and Barbarian: smite evil, rage, divine grace, etc. without making it overpowered because of the high requirements.

And, more importantly, as a Champion of Gwynharwyf you can boast that your God is sexier than your enemies':
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab256/jesusalex29/Gwynharwyf.jpg
So yeah. A must-have for Paladin/Barbarian fanatics.

Nerocite

2011-02-27, 11:04 PM

Slaad Brooder is one of my favorites. Turning your enemies into an army of giant toads is always awesome.

navar100

2011-02-27, 11:18 PM

I also like Church Inquisitor which I got to play once. Full spell progression, continue Turn Undead, +4 to dispel checks, immune to compulsion and mind-affecting, dispel Illusions of which the +4 counts.

I played the class when it was still just 3.0. Up until that time I was not a fan of Dispel Magic. I wanted to cast a spell to do something not react to something was my thinking. By campaign plot points and roleplaying reasons, I decided to go into the prestige class even though it was not my intent at character creation. I wasn't thrilled with the +4 to dispel checks from the Inquisitor Domain ability, but not wanting to waste an ability I decided to give it a try and prepare Dispel Magic. I could always use the spell as a spontaneous cure anyway if needed.

The +4 was a big help. As I used the spell I saw how effective it was. Removing an enemy's buff or ongoing harmful spell on a party member proved a very smart thing to do. I changed my mind, and now I like Dispel Magic, all thanks to Church Inquisitor.