Prestige Classes, are they worth it?

[Funky Chicken]

I've got a few games running at the same time and i'm getting close to the point where i'll be able to select a prestige class in one or two of them. I just want to know if it's worth it to switch to a prestige class or just go epic with my original class.

[mr_sir]

i found if i planned my character out in the view of getting a particular prestige class then they were worth it but just picking one with no planning later on i found they weren't. my favourite prestige classes (the ones i found the most fun to play) were red dragon disciple and arcane archer. i had so much fun soloing as an arcane archer.

[Xandax]

[QUOTE=Funky Chicken]I've got a few games running at the same time and i'm getting close to the point where i'll be able to select a prestige class in one or two of them. I just want to know if it's worth it to switch to a prestige class or just go epic with my original class.[/QUOTE]

If playing normally you'll get to around level 26-27 in HotU and around level 14-16 in SoU.
I would say - depending on what type of character you like - that prestie classes are "worth it". Afterall it adds element to characterbuilding and character planning.

I feel that there is a lacking of a spellcaster prestigeclass for spellcasters, instead of the semi-warrior-type spellcasters Red Dragon Disciple and Palemaster (I think it was called - danged so long since I played the game I'm beginning to forget the classnames).
But for warriors and paladins I find the Weapon Master, Champion of Torm, Blackguard and actually the RDD excellent prestige classes to try out.

The harper scout seems bad in my view, and is mostly capitalizing on the name, and the shadow dancer is mostly for the very overpowered Hide in Plain sight ability

But I do feel it is something worth explorering, at least for a couple of levels, and at least in HotU - perhaps less so in SoU (due to the lower level).

[Jaypee]

Red Dragon Disciple (10 levels) with only one level of bard and the rest invested to some sort of fighter type class gives a wonderful melee type character.

[Oscuro_Sol]

I agree with Jaypee, I often make a character with one level in bard, a couple in fighter, then the rest in RDD. I love the wings you get with 9 levels of it!

Arcane Archer is fun, and Shadowdancer is really cool in online roleplay servers. Haven't really tried any of the other ones.

[Fred1000000]

Prestige classes are sometimes worth it, but other times they just don't work. You usually end up triple classing just to get a decent one going. And I don't like triple classing. Makes your level ups take a lot longer.

[TonyMontana1638]

The RDD is definitely worth the abilities if you're a bard or sorcerer, but you have to plan your levels out, like Mr. Sir said. Otherwise you just end up wasting levels. Admittedly, the RDD is the only prestige class I've played as... I would, however, recommend it.

[Katomerellin]

I personaly like taking the Shifter prestigue class when ever I play as a Druid. Shape shifter style druid with the Shifter prestigue class gives you a form for every ocasion. Just cant go wrong with shapeshifting

[Ravager]

The Weapon Master class has some excellent bonuses and abilities (just look at Valen from Chapter 2 onwards to see an example of that) though it has a big list of prequisites and focuses on one weapon type.
The Harper Scout class is limited to 10 levels IIRC, they never expanded it for HotU, I think there might be another class that has the same limitation, so bear that in mind if you do decide to try those particular classes.

[Xandax]

[QUOTE=Ravager]The Weapon Master class has some excellent bonuses and abilities (just look at Valen from Chapter 2 onwards to see an example of that) though it has a big list of prequisites and focuses on one weapon type.
The Harper Scout class is limited to 10 levels IIRC, they never expanded it for HotU, I think there might be another class that has the same limitation, so bear that in mind if you do decide to try those particular classes.[/QUOTE]

Haper Scounts can only gain 5 levels in that class.....
I never personally understood this class. I think it is just for the name that people choose it

[mr_sir]

i've never seen the point of the harper scout prestige class either. just seems like a waste of levels to me.