What are the most powerful prestige classes?

[Mithril Man]

I am in the process of making a prestige class (I know, House Rules board) and have a question for y'all--what are the most powerful prestige classes?

The first thing that comes to mind is the Forsaker. Anything else?

 

[gfunk]

I think the Chruch Inquisitor from Defenders of the Faith is pretty darn powerful.

 

[Laslo Tremaine]

The Radiant Servant of Pelor (from Dragon Magazine) has always seemed pretty grotesque to me...

 

[Hadraniel]

iajitsu sword master from oriental adeventures. Maybe someone has the smackdown with this guy and can post it.

 

[Ukyo the undead]

The Vigilant( not the Song and silence´s, the relic and rituals´ one) Is another good choice.

 

[Jairami]

iajitsu sword master from oriental adeventures. Maybe someone has the smackdown with this guy and can post it.

Just check the first page of the Sultans of Smack.

There are two iaijutsu smackdowns in there. And a couple other prestige class smackdowns. Not to say that those classes are the most powerful, but they give examples of how at least they can be optimized in a situation to make you think they are.

 

[shilsen]

The Hospitaller from Defenders of the Faith. Don't have the book with me, but IIRC, you have complete spellcasting progression, fighter BAB, and a number of bonus feats.

The Forsaker is actually not all that powerful. Maybe at low levels, but it's not likely to survive into the higher levels without incredible luck.

 

[Gromm]

None of them. The basic classes are better.

But seriously, it depends on the character. Some prestige classes are utterly worthless, while others are great for certain players. It depends on the situation. Mostly prestige classes suck up feats, and make you spend skill points in things you wont ever or often use to give you abilities on par with what you would've gotten without them, only now you have less feats to play with.

 

[ShadowMaster]

Both Geomancer and the templar are, IMHO, the best PrC.

 

[MythandLore]

Archmage, Hierophant, Incantatrix, Red Wizard, Spellfire Channeler, Fatespinner, Church Inquisitor, Contemplative, Sacred Exorcist, Weapon Master.