Well the old one was lost due to a bug; (thank you EZboard), so I'm going to start a new one. Just add anything you feel is missing, and I'll add it to the main thread.
-= Prestige Class (PrC) Construction Guidelines =-
Use either 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, or 1d12. 1d4 for mages, and those that focus purely on spellcasting, d6 for the sneaky lightly armoured characters (scouts, etc), 1d8 for typical Divine casters and those that fall between d6 and d10, d10 for most martial types, and d12 for those really tough ones who's main concept is toughness and the ability to take a beating.
Give the same HD each level (not d4 on even levels, and d6 on odd levels for example).
Use one die, not more, per level.
Don't use a die lower that d4 or higher than d12 (the min and max of HD).
Do use Base Attack as a requirement.
Do use Skill Ranks as a requirement.
Do use Feats as a requirement.
Do use Race as a requirement.
Do use Gender as a requirement.
Do use "Ability to cast spells (Arcane/Divine/Psionic Power of x level or higher as a requirement.
Do use non-statistic requirements, such as "must be a member of certain organisation, or must have slain certain creature, or passed certain test).
Don't use attack bonuses as a requirement.
Don't use AC as a requirement.
Don't use Skill modifier as a requirement.
Don't use "must posses "specific item" or the like *as a balancing factor*.
The more nr of skill points per level, the more class skills the PrC should grant and vice versa.
Bab advances at either Bad, Medium or Good rate.
Bad: 1/2 BAB per level. (Sorcerer, Wizard).
Medium: 3/4 BAB per level (Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Rogue).
Good: +1 BAB per level (Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger).
If your PrC is primarily a martial class, give it Good Progression. If your PrC is a second-line fighter, a primary Divine caster, or Monk PrC you should give it Medium Progression. Most Arcane Spellcaster should have Bad progression, unless they have a weak spell progression.
Never give more than +1 BAB per level.
Only give less than +1/2 (Bad BAB) if it really fits the concept (like for example a Pacificist PrC (and even then it might be better to penalize attack through an ability of the PrC itself).
Saves follow two progressions; Bad and Good
Bad: Fighter Reflex and Will Save, Wizard Fortitude and Reflex save, etc.
Good: Fighter Fortitude Save, Wizard Will save, Monks Fortitude, Reflex and Will Save, etc.
Do use the two types, "Good" and "Bad", avoiding custom progressions (see below)
Don't give a better save progression than "Good" type, or one that's worse than "Bad" progression.
(Some people are fond of using "Medium progression i.e; progression that starts out at +1 1st level and caps out at +9. Remember this progression is not Core, and thus it won't be as easy to compare and balance against other existing classes and prestige classes. That being said you should try to stick to the two core advancements, using the third if you feel that you have to, but I would advice to avoid any sort of custom progression beyond the three types presented here).
Unique abilities are always more interesting than ones that have been used before (like Uncanny Dodge and Evasion which are overused).
Abilities are generally more interesting than feats.
Instead of giving out specific feats, use them as prerequisites instead.
Don't give out a special ability unless it suits the classes concept.
Don't frontload the class (i.e give it lot's of attractive abilities at 1st level, which will attract people to only take one level in the class).
Do spread out abilities over the different levels of the class, making it interesting to advance in it.
Do make a "top ability" given at the prestige classes last levels, to encourage people to advance in all of the levels of the prestice class.
More to come!
-= Prestige Class (PrC) Construction Guidelines =-
- Name
- Flavour Text
- Description
- Hit Dice
Use either 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, or 1d12. 1d4 for mages, and those that focus purely on spellcasting, d6 for the sneaky lightly armoured characters (scouts, etc), 1d8 for typical Divine casters and those that fall between d6 and d10, d10 for most martial types, and d12 for those really tough ones who's main concept is toughness and the ability to take a beating.
Give the same HD each level (not d4 on even levels, and d6 on odd levels for example).
Use one die, not more, per level.
Don't use a die lower that d4 or higher than d12 (the min and max of HD).
- Prereqs
Do use Base Attack as a requirement.
Do use Skill Ranks as a requirement.
Do use Feats as a requirement.
Do use Race as a requirement.
Do use Gender as a requirement.
Do use "Ability to cast spells (Arcane/Divine/Psionic Power of x level or higher as a requirement.
Do use non-statistic requirements, such as "must be a member of certain organisation, or must have slain certain creature, or passed certain test).
Don't use attack bonuses as a requirement.
Don't use AC as a requirement.
Don't use Skill modifier as a requirement.
Don't use "must posses "specific item" or the like *as a balancing factor*.
- Class Skills and Skill Points per level
The more nr of skill points per level, the more class skills the PrC should grant and vice versa.
- Bab
Bab advances at either Bad, Medium or Good rate.
Bad: 1/2 BAB per level. (Sorcerer, Wizard).
Medium: 3/4 BAB per level (Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Rogue).
Good: +1 BAB per level (Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger).
If your PrC is primarily a martial class, give it Good Progression. If your PrC is a second-line fighter, a primary Divine caster, or Monk PrC you should give it Medium Progression. Most Arcane Spellcaster should have Bad progression, unless they have a weak spell progression.
Never give more than +1 BAB per level.
Only give less than +1/2 (Bad BAB) if it really fits the concept (like for example a Pacificist PrC (and even then it might be better to penalize attack through an ability of the PrC itself).
- Saves
Saves follow two progressions; Bad and Good
Bad: Fighter Reflex and Will Save, Wizard Fortitude and Reflex save, etc.
Good: Fighter Fortitude Save, Wizard Will save, Monks Fortitude, Reflex and Will Save, etc.
Do use the two types, "Good" and "Bad", avoiding custom progressions (see below)
Don't give a better save progression than "Good" type, or one that's worse than "Bad" progression.
(Some people are fond of using "Medium progression i.e; progression that starts out at +1 1st level and caps out at +9. Remember this progression is not Core, and thus it won't be as easy to compare and balance against other existing classes and prestige classes. That being said you should try to stick to the two core advancements, using the third if you feel that you have to, but I would advice to avoid any sort of custom progression beyond the three types presented here).
- Special Abilities
Unique abilities are always more interesting than ones that have been used before (like Uncanny Dodge and Evasion which are overused).
Abilities are generally more interesting than feats.
Instead of giving out specific feats, use them as prerequisites instead.
Don't give out a special ability unless it suits the classes concept.
Don't frontload the class (i.e give it lot's of attractive abilities at 1st level, which will attract people to only take one level in the class).
Do spread out abilities over the different levels of the class, making it interesting to advance in it.
Do make a "top ability" given at the prestige classes last levels, to encourage people to advance in all of the levels of the prestice class.
- Spellcasting
- Balancing Factors
- List of PrC Resources
More to come!
