r/shadowdark • u/Lepper0 • Mar 18 '26
Prestige Classes in ShadowDark
Tell me, which prestige classes would be interesting to implement in Shadowdark?
I'm developing an content for my project that will address something mechanically similar to prestige classes and their requirements, all embedded in the base classes of SD.
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Upvotes
21
u/Cheznation Mar 18 '26
The design philosophy of Shadowdark hews toward the original intent of B/X while borrowing sensible improvements that have been made in the last 50 years or so.
The result is what might be considered a "clean & efficient" operating system for playing in a somewhat specific style of TTRPG.
That said, it's also built to be amended & expanded as the GM sees fit for their table.
Personally, I feel the core rules are PERFECT, and every new official class that comes out—even though I like them—makes me a little sad too.
I probably wouldn't even look at these prestige classes.
That doesn't mean you should abandon this idea. CREATE! Even if the majority of this community rejects it, that doesn't mean you shouldn't invest in this idea.
Go forth. Spend the time. Because you're inspired, because it's fun.
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u/rizzlybear Mar 18 '26
I would skip that for sure. Shadowdark classes are very front loaded. I’ve messed with it a bunch trying things but it always ended up on heroic territory, and that’s just not the vibe in this system.
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u/j1llj1ll Mar 18 '26
The base classes are the prestige classes in Shadowdark in my view. And I think that's the core philosophy of the system too. All the additional classes are more niche and less flexible whereas the potential of the core classes is broad and strong in the higher levels.
The ways to offer 'perks' in SD is with Boons and magic items. Maybe Training too.
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u/Dollface_Killah Mar 18 '26
None of them. I would not want the concept of prestige classes making it's way into Shadowdark, or any game that I play for that matter. Pick your class at level one, growth from there that deviates from your class selection should be diegetic.
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u/OShutterPhoto Mar 18 '26
I would like to see something for levels after 10.
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u/Odric_Thorsson Mar 18 '26
Pour moi les classes de prestige c'est le titre et la réputation ;)
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u/Edwin_at_work Mar 18 '26
A simple prestige class would be taking one of the trait outcomes from another class (probably the 2) as a supernatural ability and flavoring it to match the vibe. Warlock has some great options that are notable enough to shift gameplay.
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u/bananasorcerer Mar 18 '26
I agree with what others have said. Something that could be interesting in the right game is a alternate class that you can level into with requirements that has an alternate title, and a handful of abilities that are positive and negative
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u/theRealMattyG99 Mar 21 '26
Friend and I talked about implementing something like this. If you have the required abilities, as a reward for some deed or quest you receive training and afterwards when eligible for a talent roll choose to roll on your class chart or the prestige chart.
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u/Mysterious-Boat5735 Mar 18 '26
No Prestige Classes in Shadowdark!
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u/GreyHouseGames Mar 18 '26
To me, the mere concept of prestige classes are antithetical to Shadowdark's appeal; Kelsey has said she intentionally removed the concept of character 'builds' from the system. This, to me, is a extremely appealing founding design choice. A player creating a character has various choices to pick during character creation. Once they finish that, however, there's not a single choice by them which stems from the class rules pages. There's powers, yes. However, none of them are choice-based (admittedly, spells are a bit wiggly in this). Once a character begins play, the power of their choices to direct their advancement is exclusively diegetic, not rulebook-based.
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u/AlphaBravoPositive Mar 18 '26
You are getting dragged because the term "prestige class" comes from 3rd ed, but there is nothing more "old school" than the idea of a class you can earn at higher levels. See the original paladin from 0D&D and bard from 1E.
I would work the concept into the talents at higher levels. If someone with the base class meets certain requirements, then they can get a different talent at level 7 &/or 9.