PRESTIGE BARD

The prestige bard is a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. She

relies on wit, agility, and no small amount of magic to see her
through her daring adventures.
Virtually all characters who become prestige bards are already
multiclass characters, usually mixing rogue and wizard or rogue
and sorcerer. Some dabble in barbarian or fighter as well, de­
pending on their social backgrounds.
NPC prestige bards may serve as heralds, tale-tellers, spies,
ne’er-do-wells, or all of the above. Some work in troupes, others

CHAPTER 2

form colleges, but most share a strong streak of independence.

CLASSES

Compared to the standard character class, the prestige bard

gains her bardic music abilities later in her career, but has a
greater range of spells available.
Hit Die: d6.

Requirements
To qualify to become a prestige bard, a character must fulfill all
the following criteria.
Alignment: Any nonlawful.
Base Attack Bonus: +3.
PRESTIGIOUS Skills: Knowledge (any one) 4 ranks, Perform (any one) 8
CHARACTER CLASSES ranks.
A number of the character classes described in the Player’s Handbook Special: Ability to cast at least one 1st-level arcane spell from
represent very specific (if not always specialized) roles in the game. each of the divination, enchantment, and illusion schools.
These classes—the bard, the paladin, and the ranger—might re­
quire special training to enter, training that can be mimicked by Class Skills
transforming these classes into prestige classes. The prestige bard’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill)
With this variant, these classes become off limits for starting are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Con­
(1st-level) characters. Thus, the three prestige classes presented centration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy
below represent elite character archetypes, roles that can only (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information
be achieved through training in specific areas of knowledge and (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken
expertise. In each case, the prestige class recreates the feel of the individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform
character class, but with slight variations. Each class has fi fteen (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand
levels, allowing a character who enters at 6th level to continue (Dex), Speak Language (n/a), Spellcraft (Int), Swim (Str), Tumble
along that path all the way up to 20th level. (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
If you use any of the variant classes presented here, the stan­ Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.
dard version of the class should be unavailable. For instance, you
shouldn’t include both the standard paladin character class and Class Features
the paladin prestige class in the same game. All the following are class features of the prestige bard class.

Table 2–4: The Prestige Bard

Base Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day
1st +0 +0 +2 +2 Bardic music (countersong, —
fascinate, inspire courage +1),
bardic knowledge
2nd +1 +0 +3 +3 — +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3rd +2 +1 +3 +3 Inspire competence —
4th +3 +1 +4 +4 — +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5th +3 +1 +4 +4 Inspire courage +2 +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
6th +4 +2 +5 +5 — +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
7th +5 +2 +5 +5 Inspire greatness —
8th +6 +2 +6 +6 — +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
9th +6 +3 +6 +6 Song of freedom +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
10th +7 +3 +7 +7 Inspire courage +3 +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
11th +8 +3 +7 +7 Inspire heroics +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
12th +9 +4 +8 +8 — +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
13th +9 +4 +8 +8 Mass suggestion —
14th +10 +4 +9 +9 — +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
15th +11 +5 +9 +9 Inspire courage +4 +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
69
 Weapon and Armor Proficiency: As the standard bard in the
Player’s Handbook . A prestige bard can cast any arcane spells in
light armor without the normal arcane spell failure chance.
Spellcasting: When a new prestige bard level is gained (ex­
cept at 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 13th level), the character gains new Requirements
spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also To qualify to become a prestige paladin, a character must fulfill
gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged
to before she added the prestige class.
A prestige bard casts arcane spells from the schools of divi­
nation, enchantment, and illusion at +2 caster level. She casts
CHAPTER 2
arcane spells from the schools of evocation and necromancy at
CLASSES
–2 caster level.
Bardic Knowledge (Ex): As the standard bard ability of the
same name.
Bardic Music: As the standard bard ability of the same name,
except that the minimum number of ranks in Perform required Class Skills
is increased by 5 (8 ranks for countersong, fascinate, or inspire
courage; 11 ranks for inspire competence, and so forth).
PRESTIGE PALADIN
After training in the arts of combat and the mysteries of the di­
vine, the prestige paladin is anointed as a holy warrior dedicated
to the protection of law and goodness.
Most prestige paladins are clerics or fighter/clerics, though Class Features
rare cleric/monks might pursue this path as well.
NPC prestige paladins usually belong to a holy order dedi­
cated to a lawful good deity such as Heironeous. Some are lone
Illus. by E. Cox
wanderers, dealing out justice while walking the earth.
Compared to the standard paladin, the prestige
paladin gives up a small amount of combat prowess
in exchange for a larger spell list and a higher top
end of his spellcasting powers. Also, his class
features aren’t quite as
Prestige
paladin
Prestige
bard
70
powerful as the standard paladin’s as a result of his reduced
paladin class level.
Hit Die: d10.
all the following criteria.
Alignment: Lawful good.
Base Attack Bonus: +4.
Skills: Knowledge (religion) 2 ranks, Knowledge (nobility
and royalty) 2 ranks, Ride 4 ranks.
Feats: Mounted Combat.
Spellcasting: Ability to cast protection from evil as a divine spell.
Special: Ability to turn undead.
The prestige paladin’s class skills (and the key ability for each
skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha),
Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (nobility and
royalty) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride
(Dex), and Sense Motive (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
All the following are class features of the prestige paladin class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: As the standard paladin in
the Player’s Handbook .
Spells per Day: A prestige paladin’s training focuses on di­
vine spellcasting. At every odd-numbered level reached,
the prestige paladin gains new spells per day as if he
had also gained a level in whatever divine spell­
casting class he belonged to before he added the
prestige class.
Prestige ranger
Table 2–5: The Prestige Paladin
Base Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Detect evil, smite evil 1/day, +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
turn undead
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Divine grace, lay on hands, —
special mount
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Aura of courage, divine health +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Remove disease 1/week —
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Smite evil 2/day +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 — —

CHAPTER 2

7th +7 +5 +2 +2 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

CLASSES
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Remove disease 2/week —
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 Smite evil 3/day —
11th +11 +7 +3 +3 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
12th +12 +8 +4 +4 Remove disease 3/week —
13th +13 +8 +4 +4 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
14th +14 +9 +4 +4 — —
15th +15 +9 +5 +5 Smite evil 4/day +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

Detect Evil (Sp): As the standard paladin ability of the same name. Code of Conduct and Associates: These restrictions are the
Smite Evil (Su): As the standard paladin ability of the same same as those described in the Player’s Handbook .
name.
Turn Undead (Su): For the purpose of determining his ability Ex-Paladins
to turn undead, a prestige paladin’s class levels stack with his Same as for the standard paladin, but with no restrictions on
levels from all his other classes from which he has gained the multiclassing.
ability to turn undead. For instance, a 4th-level fighter/1st-level
cleric/2nd-level prestige paladin would turn undead as a 3rd­ PRESTIGE RANGER
level cleric. The prestige ranger navigates the dark forests, craggy mountains,
Divine Grace (Su): As the standard paladin ability of the same or desert wastes of her homeland with unparalleled skill. She be­
name. comes one with nature while remaining a deadly hunter.
Lay on Hands (Su): As the standard paladin ability of the Most prestige rangers are former druids, though some multiclass
same name, except that the total number of hit points of dam­ in barbarian, fighter, or rogue. Some replace druid levels with cleric
age that a prestige paladin can heal per day is equal to his Cha­ levels, selecting the Animal domain. If your campaign uses the
risma modifier × (his paladin level + 3). For example, a 3rd-level wilderness rogue (described earlier in this chapter), that class also
prestige paladin with a Charisma of 16 (+3 modifier) can heal 18 provides a good starting point for a would-be prestige ranger.
points of damage per day. NPC prestige rangers are typically loners, trusting few but
Special Mount (Sp): As the standard paladin ability of the same themselves while on the hunt. Some form loose affiliations of
name, except treat the prestige paladin’s effective level as three like-minded individuals, occasionally relying on each other for
higher when calculating the mount’s bonus Hit Dice, powers, assistance in dire times.
and so forth (see the sidebar The Paladin’s Mount on page 45 of Compared to the standard ranger, the prestige ranger gives up
the Player’s Handbook). immediate access to some of her iconic abilities (such as favored
Aura of Courage (Su): As the standard paladin ability of the enemy) by having to qualify for the class, but has a much wider
same name. selection of spells.
Divine Health (Ex): As the standard paladin ability of the Hit Die: d8.
same name.
Remove Disease (Sp): As the standard paladin ability of the Requirements
same name, except that a prestige paladin gains the ability at To qualify to become a prestige ranger, a character must fulfill
4th level and can use this ability one additional time per week all the following criteria.

for every four levels gained thereafter (twice at 8th and three Base Attack Bonus: +4.

times at 12th). Skills: Knowledge (nature) 2 ranks, Survival 4 ranks.

pqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqrs

UNIQUE SPELLS
The bard, paladin, and ranger spell lists in the Player’s Handbook
(as well as similar lists in other books) contain a number of
spells that don’t appear on other classes’ spell lists. In general,
any character who enters one of these prestige classes should
gain access to spells unique to that class’s spell list from the
pqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqrs
Player’s Handbook, at the same levels indicated for the standard
class. At the DM’s discretion, spells unique to that class’s spell
list found in other books may also be available, but on a case-by­
case basis. The DM may require such spells to be researched or
learned specifically by the character, rather than simply making
them freely available.
71
 Table 2–6: The Prestige Ranger
Base Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day
1st +1 +2 +2 +0 1st favored enemy, —
animal companion,
wild empathy
2nd +2 +3 +3 +0 Bonus feat, woodland stride +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

3rd +3 +3 +3 +1 Swift tracker —

4th +4 +4 +4 +1 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

5th +5 +4 +4 +1 2nd favored enemy —

6th +6 +5 +5 +2 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

CHAPTER 2

7th +7 +5 +5 +2 Bonus feat —

CLASSES

8th +8 +6 +6 +2 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

9th +9 +6 +6 +3 Camouflage —

10th +10 +7 +7 +3 3rd favored enemy +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

11th +11 +7 +7 +3 — —

12th +12 +8 +8 +4 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

13th +13 +8 +8 +4 Hide in plain sight —

14th +14 +9 +9 +4 — +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class

15th +15 +9 +9 +5 4th favored enemy —

Feats: Endurance, Track, and either Rapid Shot or Two-
Weapon Fighting.
Spellcasting: Must be able to cast calm animals as a divine spell.
Class Skills
The prestige ranger’s class skills (and the key ability for each
skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Handle
Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge
(dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (geography) (Int), Knowl­
edge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession
(Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim
(Str), and Use Rope (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All the following are class features of the prestige ranger class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: As the standard ranger in
the Player’s Handbook .
Animal Companion (Ex): At 1st level, a prestige ranger gains
an animal companion. This is identical to the standard druid
ability of the same name.
If a prestige ranger already has an animal companion from an-
other class, the character’s prestige ranger levels stack with those
class levels for purposes of determining the companion’s abilities.
Favored Enemy (Ex): As the standard ranger ability of the
same name.
Wild Empathy (Ex): As the standard ranger ability of the
same name.
If a prestige ranger already has the wild empathy ability from
another class, the character’s prestige ranger levels stack with
those class levels when making animal empathy checks.
Bonus Feat: At 2nd level, a prestige ranger gains either Many-
shot or Improved Two-Weapon Fighting as a bonus feat. She must
have the Rapid Shot feat to select Manyshot as a bonus feat, and she
must have Two-Weapon Fighting to select Improved Two-Weapon
Fighting as a bonus feat. However, the ranger need not have any of
the other normal prerequisites for the bonus feat selected.
At 7th level, a prestige ranger gains either Improved Precise
Shot or Greater Two-Weapon Fighting as a bonus feat. She must
have the Manyshot and Rapid Shot feats to select Improved Precise
Shot as a bonus feat, and she must have Two-Weapon Fighting and
Fighting as a bonus feat. However, the ranger need not have any of
the other normal prerequisites for the bonus feat selected.
Woodland Stride (Ex): As the standard ranger ability of the
same name.
Camouflage (Ex): As the standard ranger ability of the same
name.
Hide in Plain Sight (Ex): As the standard ranger ability of the
same name.
GESTALT CHARACTERS
In this high-powered campaign variant, characters essentially
take two classes at every level, choosing the best aspects of each.
The process is similar to multiclassing, except that characters
gain the full benefits of each class at each level. If the two classes
you choose have aspects that overlap (such as Hit Dice, attack
progression, saves, and class features common to more than one
class), you choose the better aspect. The gestalt character retains
all aspects that don’t overlap.
The gestalt character variant is particularly effective if you
have three or fewer players in your D&D group, or if your players
enjoy multiclassing and want characters with truly prodigious
powers. This variant works only if every PC in the campaign
uses it, and it results in complicated characters who may over-
whelm newer D&D players with an abundance of options.
BUILDING A GESTALT CHARACTER
To make a 1st-level gestalt character, choose two standard D&D
classes. (You can also choose any of the variant classes in this
book, though you can’t combine two versions of the same class.)
Build your character according to the following guidelines.
Hit Dice: Choose the larger Hit Die. A monk/sorcerer would
use d8 as her Hit Die and have 8 hit points (plus Constitution
modifier) at 1st level, for example.
Base Attack Bonus: Choose the better progression from the
two classes.
Base Saving Throw Bonuses: For each save bonus, choose
the better progression from the two classes. For example, a
1st-level gestalt fighter/wizard would have base saving throw
bonuses of Fortitude +2, Reflex +0, Will +2—taking the good
Fortitude save from the fighter class and the good Will save

72 Improved Two-Weapon Fighting to select Greater Two-Weapon from the wizard class.