Do paragon classes do anything better then a base class of comparable example?

[CyberThread]

Do paragon classes do anything better then a base class of comparable example?

[paddyfool]

They were an early effort, and are generally underpowered. Fun, thematic abilities, but weak.

It might be nice to have a bundle of the abilities from the paragon class or similar stuff bunged into a homebrew feat for each race... taking a random feat for fun-but-not-powerful stuff is generally more doable than taking class levels.

[Greenish]

Well, base classes rarely boost ability scores, for one. Human Paragon has a bonus feat and the "any skill as a class skill for any class" thingy, which is fairly unique (though factotum 1 + Able Learner gets you far more).

[DeltaEmil]

The answer is: Perhaps.

It depends on your build, if the Base Attack Bonus granted is good enough, and what class features you'd like to have.

[ahenobarbi]

Some builds might want to sacrifice one casting level for some skill points, HP and feat by taking levels in human paragon.

Half orc paragon can give you rage if you for some reason don't want to get it from taking a level of barbarian (like you want to be lawful).

Gnome paragon might be good if you want to pump your illusion CL.

[TroubleBrewing]

They're useful for getting into prestige classes that require specific abilities (Rage, specific skills, etc.) without having to take levels in a class that would break the theme you had in mind for your build.

I'm personally a big fan of them for Iron Chef contests. Big creativity points when yours is the only build in a Rage-oriented PRC contest without Barbarian levels.

[HunterOfJello]

The racial paragon classes open up a lot of new options that aren't always ideal, but can be very useful. My favorite ones are the Drow Paragon and Half-Elf paragon.

If you are somehow playing a drow spellcaster (which is rare, but possible), then taking Drow Paragon at level 2 is almost mandatory. Compared to wizard you get a better hit die, more skill points, wider selection of class skills, and an extra use per day on your SLAs. That's very good if you happen to be playing a drow without ruining your spell progression other than playing a race that you probably don't want to be playing while being a spellcaster.

Half-Elf paragon is also very cool for a non-spellcasting build since that single 1 level dip gets you a bonus feat of any kind you want. People often take two levels in fighter or pyschic warrior purely to get bonus fighter feats. Being able to get any feat and not just a fighter bonus one can be very handy for all sorts of builds. Plus, you get some skill points, wider skills, decent hit die, and some proficiencies. That's not bad at all.

[paddyfool]

Half-Elf paragon is also very cool for a non-spellcasting build since that single 1 level dip gets you a bonus feat of any kind you want. People often take two levels in fighter or pyschic warrior purely to get bonus fighter feats. Being able to get any feat and not just a fighter bonus one can be very handy for all sorts of builds. Plus, you get some skill points, wider skills, decent hit die, and some proficiencies. That's not bad at all.

Good points. Also, many diplomancer builds could probably benefit from all three levels of Half-Elf paragon.

[Big Fau]

Half-Elf paragon is also very cool for a non-spellcasting build since that single 1 level dip gets you a bonus feat of any kind you want. People often take two levels in fighter or pyschic warrior purely to get bonus fighter feats. Being able to get any feat and not just a fighter bonus one can be very handy for all sorts of builds. Plus, you get some skill points, wider skills, decent hit die, and some proficiencies. That's not bad at all.

Except that you get the same bonus feat from being human, without the drawbacks of being a half-elf or having to take a level in Half-Elf Paragon.

[ahenobarbi]

Except that you get the same bonus feat from being human, without the drawbacks of being a half-elf or having to take a level in Half-Elf Paragon.

Not exactly. You might want the feat at level higher than 1 (for example because you don't qualify for it at level 1).

[Dusk Eclipse]

Except that you get the same bonus feat from being human, without the drawbacks of being a half-elf or having to take a level in Half-Elf Paragon.

In Eberron half-elves get some pretty nice stuff from Dragonmarks stuff, the mark of the storm is one of the best ones IMO and some of it's derivative feats are quite nice (Storm riposte for example gives you a free attack when you are attacked at the cost of an action point, I am sure any gish with access to unfettered heroism can make this really worthwhile).

[danzibr]

I seem to recall a Kobold Swift Blade build which made good use of Kobold Paragon.

[Dusk Eclipse]

It is a decent entry since it gives you the martial proficiency and it has better bab than straight sorcerer, the lost CL can be regained via the Greater Rite of Draconic Passage so it is an interesting option, though without flaws you will be slightly behind on the power curve since all your feats are spend on qualification (and both Dodge/mobility are horrible feats)

[nedz]

They have a number of uses and are often worth looking at. Some are better than others obviously, but if you have a tricky character concept they may give you what you need.

[Lactantius]

I have created a prettys decent Bladesingerbuild, completely run as the flavor of the source recommends it.
Means: an elven elite fighter which uses Corellon's gift of magic to blend the sword art and the magic art itself.

Such a flavorful gish gains very mich from the elf paragon:
Bladesingers like weapon focus, INT, spellcasting, senses and all the rest is just gravy.
My basic classes to get into the bladesinger prestige are swashbuckler 1/elf paragon 3/wizard 2/

This gives the earliest entry into prestige since you get the required BAB, feats and spellcasting fast enough (cause u don't waste many levels into classical fighter and wizard levels).

To be honest, my bladesinger prestige which follows up at level 8 is improved since the printed versions fail in some aspects.