So what are the *good* Pathfinder prestige classes?

[Particle_Man]

I know that Pathfinder 1st edition greatly prefers archetypes to prestige classes, and it seems that many prestige classes, however flavourful, are mechanically subpar.

But what are the good prestige classes, from a mechanical point of view? Which ones are worth the cost of the prerequisites (and that of not staying in a base class to get its sweet capstone ability)?

[lord pringle]

Stargazer is pretty sweet, giving you some hexes and smaller abilities.
Evangelist rocks, since it's pretty much uncanny trickster/legacy champion from 3.5
Mystic Theurge suffers from all it's usual problems, but it's fairly easy to take your 1st level in it at 4th level costing you only 1 CL on one side and 2 on the other. It's not great, but you're still getting ninths (dual ninths with Evangelist)
Mammoth Rider is a great way to build a very strong mount.
Sleepless Detective, Assassin, Master Spy and Inner Sea Pirate all aren't great, but they do each give you a d6 sneak attack at first level and have similar prereqs, if you want to boost your sneak attack through the roof.

Those are all the ones I know of. Pathfinder's prestige classes don't have much.

[Kurald Galain]

Brewkeeper is a nice one. Natural alchemist is pretty decent, and Stargazer is very good. Also, Veiled Illusionist and Mammoth Rider. Arcane Trickster is nice since it has an early entry feat now.

Mostly I just go for one full class with a one- or two-level dip in one other, though.

[Serafina]

Winter Witch is good when used to advance a Witch with the Winter Witch archetype.

Gray Gardener is basically "Inquisitor, the PrC", giving out 3D6 sneak attack, three uses of judgment, two uses of bane, and several unique class features at the cost of three levels of spell casting, with pretty mild prerequisites (combat reflexes, 5th-rank skills with 18 skill ranks in total, and 2nd-level divine spells).

Runeguard gets four nice effects: they can grant any ally the ability to cast any of their abjuration-spells (use it on your familiar for extra action economy), they can get 1-level metamagic for free, they get a +2 boost to the DC of Gylph and Symbol spells (which they also all know), and as a capstone they can make one spell permanent for free (which combos really well with the symbols). Now, this does cost a single caster level, but is otherwise entirely free for Wizards since they only need some skill ranks, worship requirements, and the Scribe Scroll feat. It's a specialized prestige class, but it's good at what it does.

[Geddy2112]

Second stargazer, brewkeeper, evangelist, and winter witch. Mammoth rider is normally a dip for pet classes but a good dip nontheless.

[Florian]

Stargazer, Winter Witch, Magaambyan Arcanist and Rune Guard are pretty solid on the caster side of things.

Sanguine Angel, Hellknight and Red Mantis Assassin are solid on the martial side.

[Calthropstu]

Thrallherd does fairly well.

Some of the prestige classes are great for dipping.

[Azoth]

While limited to Iomedae Inheritor Knight is solid for a martial.

[Rhedyn]

I know that Pathfinder 1st edition greatly prefers archetypes to prestige classes, and it seems that many prestige classes, however flavourful, are mechanically subpar.

But what are the good prestige classes, from a mechanical point of view? Which ones are worth the cost of the prerequisites (and that of not staying in a base class to get its sweet capstone ability)?Eldritch Knight

With Favored Prestige Class and Prestigious Spellcaster, plus being able to enter the class with pure wizard levels via VMC Battle Oracle, it's basically just being a wizard with Partial 3/4ths BAB.

[Quarian Rex]

Agent of the Grave (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/a-b/agent-of-the-grave/) - Interesting take on a character looking for an undead ascension.

Arcane Savant (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/a-b/arcane-savant/) - Being able to steal spells from other lists can be a beautiful thing.

Bloatmage (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/a-b/bloatmage/) - Though I have a hard time making a PC with this (mainly for conceptual reasons) this is a great option for a BBEG or NPC where you might want to show off gluttony/sloth as power.

Hell Knight Signifer (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/hellknight-signifer/) - Full casting and some interesting abilities for an armored caster, as well as flavor from here to doomsday.

Dia (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/c-d/diabolist-botd-vol-1/)bolist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/c-d/diabolist/) - Has two versions (note the two links), one with lower entry requirements, one with extra abilities, but both have some flavorful capabilities for someone trying to manipulate the power-brokers of Hell, including getting the equivalent of an untyped +12 bonus to Cha. when interacting with (binding) devils.

Inheritor’s Crusader (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/i-m/inheritor-s-crusader/) - A very short divine class with full BAB and full casting, having a capstone that that is a no-save, no-SR judgement of guilt. Pretty damn unique and useful.

Soul (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/s-z/souldrinker-pzo9239/)drinker (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/s-z/souldrinker/) - Another with two versions (note the two links), both allowing energy drain attacks to be converted into Soul Points that can be used for item creation and spell slot recovery. Main difference is that the old version had a Soul Pool of 1/2 Class Level + Caster Mod that can be filled with an at-will, touch-based, energy drain attack, and the new one has a Soul Pool equal to Class Level (no Caster Mod), replaces the at-will drain touch with an Enervation spell-like usable 2/4/6 times a day, but allows Soul Points to be gained any time he inflicts negative energy levels, from any source. I am extremely torn as to which would actually be better.

Those were just some of the ones that I find interesting without going into 3rd party.




Favored Prestige Class and Prestigious Spellcaster


Thanks for mentioning these, I had no idea they even existed.

[Particle_Man]

Mystic Theurge suffers from all its usual problems, but it's fairly easy to take your 1st level in it at 4th level costing you only 1 CL on one side and 2 on the other. It's not great, but you're still getting ninths (dual ninths with Evangelist).


Arcane Trickster is nice since it has an early entry feat now.

So what is the trick in each case, and have they been errata'd?

[lord pringle]

So what is the trick in each case, and have they been errata'd?

I know of two tricks for getting spell levels early, and I don't think either have been errata'd. First is taking the feat Equipment Trick (Sunrod) to be able to cast a light spell one level higher than you otherwise could, though this requires you to have a 1st level light spell on both classes which makes spontaneous entry rough. The other is taking Magical Lineage/Wayang Spellhunter on a spell that both classes have and using Heighten Spell to boost it an extra spell level with no spell level adjustment.

I don't know if there's early Sneak Attack entry beyond taking one level of a sneak attack granting class and then Accomplished Sneak Attacker or going VMC rogue or Order of the Blossom Cavalier

[grarrrg]

With Prestigious Spellcaster a Sorcerer>Dragon Disciple only loses/trades Feats for a beefy chassis upgrade and assorted bonuses. Even without Prestigious Spellcaster Sorc+DD is still decent, just don't take the whole PrC.

I still like mentioning Living Monolith as a dip for Melee builds. One level gets you 3/day Swift action Self-Enlarge Person (even if not humanoid).

Rage Prophet. Oh wait, no, that one's still a steaming pile of garbage.



Natural alchemist is pretty decent
Solid enough for 'wizards', mostly "eh" for Alchemists. Which is a shame, as it's one of the few PrC's that actually stacks for Extracts.
(Thuvian Alchemist for those not using the pfsrd)

[Rynjin]

Chevalier (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/c-d/chevalier/) is an underlooked one for martial characters. A 3 level dip for immunity to fear and poison, resistance to mind affecting effects, +3 attack/damage on the first round of combat, and Smite Evil without any of the Paladin baggage is pretty good.

Horizon Walker (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/apg/horizon-walker/) ranges from good to AMAZING depending on how your group feels about FAQs.

I have a real soft spot for Shield Marshal (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/grand-marshal/). It's basically just the natural path to take for a Gunslinger; you lose nothing of import after 5th level and gain a lot in both flavor and capability.

[tadkins]

Stargazer looks very interesting. What would you guys recommend as a base class/build for that one?

[Ninjaxenomorph]

A dip in Master Chymist can net major boons for a face-ripping alchemist. On-demand changes, and a second alignment before the Vigilante was a twinkle in anybody's eye.

[SangoProduction]

Tempestarii from Spheres of Power is actually a notable prestige class for the Weather sphere. Of course, the weather sphere is almost entirely "I want to destroy an entire country" rather than "I want to be useful in a fight." But that's a problem with the Weather sphere and not the class.

[JMS]

Tempestarii from Spheres of Power is actually a notable prestige class for the Weather sphere. Of course, the weather sphere is almost entirely "I want to destroy an entire country" rather than "I want to be useful in a fight." But that's a problem with the Weather sphere and not the class.
If we start looking at third party, Awakened blade (Psionic/Initiator theurge) is good, with abilities giving you an extra standard for your psionic focus, as free action, at any time. It's terrifying at high levels (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21556450&postcount=91).
Other than the other two theurges, which I haven't messed with, PoW prestige classes are actually fairly decent, and capable. Not certain how they measure up to base classes
Not as familiar with Psionic PrCs, but some are probably as good as base classes.

[Particle_Man]

Horizon Walker (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/apg/horizon-walker/) ranges from good to AMAZING depending on how your group feels about FAQs.

Can you give me more details about this?

[Florian]

Can you give me more details about this?

Interaction between SLAs and prerequisites.

[Rynjin]

Can you give me more details about this?

Interaction between SLAs and prerequisites.

In this case, no. Horizon Walker is a non-caster PRC.

In this case it refers to a FAQ or clarification regarding the Rogue's Favored Terrain Rogue Talent and potentially massive stacking bonuses to Initiative and etc. they could get which I can't find now. Needless to say the clarification was not in favor of the Rogue/Horizon Walker getting something like a flat +24 to Initiative or some such in every terrain.

[StreamOfTheSky]

In this case, no. Horizon Walker is a non-caster PRC.

In this case it refers to a FAQ or clarification regarding the Rogue's Favored Terrain Rogue Talent and potentially massive stacking bonuses to Initiative and etc. they could get which I can't find now. Needless to say the clarification was not in favor of the Rogue/Horizon Walker getting something like a flat +24 to Initiative or some such in every terrain.

Boo! They ruined my build, lol :smallwink:

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?310781-All-about-the-Horizon-Walker-(Optimization)

In any case.. did the FAQs nix the concept of Horizon Walker Dimensional Dervish builds, too? At least back when the feat chain came out, HW builds were one of the best methods to actually make use of the feats / get them not stupidly late.


Astral: Dim Door! Fairly early entry to the Dimensional feats is very nice, and unlike that poor sap the monk, you didn't even lose BAB getting there! Compare a 16 wis HW with a level 17 monk (earliest he can get Dim Dervish feat) with 22 wis. You can do it 6 times a day. He can do it 7 times a day (17/2 +6 = 14 ki, 2 per use). Except you've been able to do it those 6 times a day for far longer by then. Since he pays 2 ki per use, the higher your respective wisdom scores go, the more the comparison works to your favor.

[Rynjin]

Boo! They ruined my build, lol :smallwink:

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?310781-All-about-the-Horizon-Walker-(Optimization)

In any case.. did the FAQs nix the concept of Horizon Walker Dimensional Dervish builds, too? At least back when the feat chain came out, HW builds were one of the best methods to actually make use of the feats / get them not stupidly late.

Surprisingly, no. Even the revised version of the SLA FAQ makes pretty explicit mention that it's completely legit.



Only if the pre-requisite calls out the name of a spell explicitly. For instance, the Dimensional Agility feat (Ultimate Combat) has "ability to use the abundant step class feature or cast dimension door" as a prerequisite; a barghest has dimension door as a spell-like ability, so the barghest meets the "able to cast dimension door prerequisite for that feat. However, the barghest's dimension door would not meet requirements such as "Ability to cast 4th level spells" or "Ability to cast arcane spells".