How do prestige classes work? (D&D 3.5)?
I'm about to start a campaign with my friends, I have the Complete Scoundrel and I was looking through it when I found the Combat Trapsmith class. I'm dying to play it, but it is a "prestige class" and it only shows stat increases and skills to level 5. I just want the basics on prestige classes and how It would work if i wanted to play the Combat Trapsmith.
Comments
Look at the prerequisites, you have to qualify for prestige classes by fulfilling all the requirements. Usually there's a minimum base attack or skill points in something, in addition to certain feats, and sometimes special requirements that come from gameplay.
So take some levels in something else first, rogue would probably be the obvious choice. Most prestige classes will be 5-10 levels, since they expect you to take some base classes, and once you're done you move on to another base or prestige class or return to your previous class. There's almost no way for a PC to start at first level with a prestige class. Playing a monster race or something else with a level adjustment might make it possible, but it's unlikely you'll find a race that gives you exactly what the class requires.
If you're starting higher than first level, look at the requirements to determine the lowest level of other class that would qualify. For example, if it requires a +4 base attack, you would need at least 4 levels of fighter, but at least 6 of rogue. If it requires 8 ranks in a certain skill, any character would need to be at least 5th level if that was a class skill or 13th level if it was a cross class skill, but it may take longer if you don't max out your skill points in that skill asap. Once you decide the fastest way to qualify, make that character of that level, and add levels of your prestige class until you're at the game's starting character level set by your DM.
D&d Prestige Classes
D&d 3.5 Prestige Classes