Adapting Prestige classes?

[Chalkarts]

I'm running a 5e game but a couple of my players are interested in some prestige classes from 3.5 that perfectly fit their characters.

Have you ever converted a prestige class from 3.5 to 5e? Any pointers?

[beargryllz]

Many requirements and new abilities that a base class wouldn't already get

Prestige class abilities are usually very specialized. They can also be marginally advantageous over the base class, but only if you do something else first (do some epic quest, sap your own ability scores, only works with sneak attack, only dwarves can be X prestige class, must worship Demogorgon, etc.)

[DivisibleByZero]

Don't convert anything.
Choose an appropriate base class.
Choose a couple/few features from the PrCs.
Build a subclass for that base class using those features.

[pwykersotz]

Don't convert anything.
Choose an appropriate base class.
Choose a couple/few features from the PrCs.
Build a subclass for that base class using those features.

I agree with this, though I am fairly biased against PrC's. Subclasses are the new Prestige Classes, and they are wonderful by comparison. They're much easier to fold in without strange complications or unintended interactions, and I feel they do a better job of building that feeling that you really are a special version of your class.

[PeteNutButter]

I agree with this, though I am fairly biased against PrC's. Subclasses are the new Prestige Classes, and they are wonderful by comparison. They're much easier to fold in without strange complications or unintended interactions, and I feel they do a better job of building that feeling that you really are a special version of your class.

While I agree with this wholeheartedly as far as balance is concerned, I don't feel like it captures the Prestige. Prestige classes were when your character did something or learned something during their journey that altered them in a way that was not originally part of the character. Sub-classes come so early, some as early as level 1, that there is no character arc to develop you are just, "hey I'm a huntery type ranger." Nothing prestigious about that.

To keep both the spirit of the PrCs and the balance, I'd say once the PC has unlocked the PrC they gain a different subclass and no longer gain any further subclass features from their original. It isn't perfect, but the other option would be to just give them more over all, which is a bit excessive power creep, but could work as long as all the PCs get one and you scale monsters appropriately, etc.

[pwykersotz]

While I agree with this wholeheartedly as far as balance is concerned, I don't feel like it captures the Prestige. Prestige classes were when your character did something or learned something during their journey that altered them in a way that was not originally part of the character. Sub-classes come so early, some as early as level 1, that there is no character arc to develop you are just, "hey I'm a huntery type ranger." Nothing prestigious about that.

To keep both the spirit of the PrCs and the balance, I'd say once the PC has unlocked the PrC they gain a different subclass and no longer gain any further subclass features from their original. It isn't perfect, but the other option would be to just give them more over all, which is a bit excessive power creep, but could work as long as all the PCs get one and you scale monsters appropriately, etc.

As an alternative, you could give Supernatural Gifts or Marks of Prestige (DMG 227-229) with custom effects that match your vision of the prestige class. It's not always a perfect fit, but it's an idea.

[Anonymouswizard]

Build-wise, I'd say that prestige classes have been replaced by subclasses. They cover the same space in determining how a character specialises (or occasionally diversifies), although the fluff is different.

In terms of 'do something impressive and get something from it', I'd suggest either give a small boon for great deeds, or a magic item. There is, in theory, a small difference between having resistance to fire and having a magic ring that makes you resistant to fire, so anything that you could in theory give as a non-attunement magic item could just be given to the PC directly as an ability.

I don't suggest bringing back prestige classes as classes, because not only did the design space vary wildly (some would work fluff-wise as subclasses, some wouldn't), but as they eventually became loaded with features they just became a better option than base classes in many respects. This was partially caused by wanting to give new options to players and there only being a certain number of feats a character could take (at most seven (standard), plus one for human, plus eleven if going full fighter, maxing out at nineteen feats for a suboptimal character) meant that new classes were the easiest way, and 10 levels is easier to design than 20 levels. Although WotC might be moving towards bringing them back, it's a terrible idea to do anything like 3.5 did, as they lost their Prestige when most characters had at least one (many of them actually had relatively simple requirements).

[Seclora]

I generally agree about making them into a subclass. Most of the archetypical prestige classes became subclasses anyways, like Assassin and Eldritch Knight.

For shorter prestige classes, I prefer using a feat. Some prestige classes just don't warrant a whole subclass. I built one for Rage Mage

And for intense multiclassing prestige classes, like Fochluchan Lyrist for instance, I would build an actual prestige class off of the Unearthed Arcana prestige class rules.

[Ninja_Prawn]

As someone who never played 3rd edition and generally approves of the way 5e does things, I'd like to sail against the wind here. I believe there are instances where Prestige Classes are the best solution. The two that come immediately to mind are: a) when a class ought to require specific and unusual prerequisites before a person can take levels in it, and b) when you want to focus on one specific niche within an existing subclass. You could approach this via feats, but PrCs allow you to pack more in, and open up the classes to characters whose ASI/feat budget is already spoken for.

As examples, I'd offer my Vampire Queen (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20767211&postcount=12) PrC (based on Adventure Time) as a type A, and JNAP's Winter Witch (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20505579&postcount=1) PrC as a type B (it's intended to work with my Witch arcane tradition).

[Specter]

Most prestige classes can already be fitted/tweaked within the base classes. But if they have anything specific in mind, maybe you can name it and we'll try to help.