Prestige class
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- PrC redirects here. For other uses, see PRC (disambiguation).
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game prestige classes (PrC) are character classes that offer specialized, exclusive abilities once certain restrictive requirements are met.
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[edit] First edition
In its original form and in the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules — in which the term "prestige class" was not used — subclasses often required a character to have higher ability scores or specific alignments as opposed to those allowed in the standard classes.
[edit] Specialization subclasses
Meeting the more stringent subclass requirements granted access to advanced skills and different (more specialized) spells and abilities than those available to the parent class.
- Assassin subclass of Thief, required a relatively high Dexterity score, as well as adherence to an evil-attuned alignment.
- The Illusionist subclass of Magic-User, needing a high Intelligence score, and a very high Dexterity.
[edit] Hybrid subclasses
A handful of other classes, while nominally subclasses, so blended the abilities of two or more classes or subclasses that they essentially stood alone. These subclasses had complex requirements, including exceptional ability scores, narrowed alignment choices, armor and weapon restrictions, and often dictated how the character's funds must be distributed. These classes were the forerunners of the prestige class.
- Ranger combined elements of the Druid, Fighter, and Magic-User.
- Paladin combined elements of the Fighter and the Cleric, as well as adding substantially different abilities.
- The Cavalier
[edit] Second edition
The subclass concept was developed further in the second edition rules. More subclasses, with a higher degree of specialization, were developed. In addition, the dual-class and multi-class rules, which allowed a character to change classes while retaining some of the abilities of the former class, or to pursue multiple classes simultaneously, were streamlined from the rather awkward and limiting form they took in the first edition rules.
Different Player Guides relating to the various classes and races offered "Kits," a specialized set of variant abilities that could differentiate beginning characters, such as a Pirate kit that added marine abilities to a Fighter or Thief.
Basic D&D, a parallel game line also designed by TSR, Inc. as a simpler version of the rules, included in the Companion Set a number of "Name"-level classes. These specialized classes could be entered by high-level members of ordinary classes. Fighters could become Paladins, Avengers, or Knights. Clerics could become Druids. These could be seen as the first Prestige Classes.
[edit] Third edition
The third edition rules introduced the Prestige Class, by name. In addition to the kinds of restrictions normally required by subclasses, Prestige Classes often require that a character have ranks in particular skills, abilities, feats or spellcasting ability. The role-play effect in the game is not so much that of changing careers (as with dual classing) or combining multiple classes, but more like achieving recognition in the character's original class or classes and being allowed to join an exclusive brotherhood of similarly skilled individuals.
Many Prestige Classes are focused on specific goals and require that the character act accordingly. Other classes are focussed on a specific set of abilities. There are many hybrid style prestige classes - for instance the mystic theurge (which allows players to progress in both arcane and divine spellcasting at the same time).
