There are three different types of classes available to characters in an Aldhaven game: Base Classes, Prestige Classes, and Specialist Classes. The nature of base classes and prestige classes hasn’t been changed; however, the addition of specialist classes somewhat changes the dynamics of how characters are built.
Specialist Classes
A specialist class takes one or two narrow aspects of a character and heavily focuses on only those aspects. Paragon racial classes, presented in Unearthed Arcana, are similar to specialist classes, in that they focus almost exclusively on the innate racial traits of a character. Specialist classes, however, focus on what the character can do rather than on what race they are.
Specialist classes are never available before 4th level, requiring a character to have at least 3 other class levels before taking a specialist class. The classes are also typically only 3 levels long, though some may extend to 4 or rarely 5 levels.
Specialist classes have very specific but typically easy to meet prerequisites for entry. A specialist class’s prerequisites are usually met almost automatically by taking levels in a related class.
Each specialist class takes one specific concept and expands on that one thing to the exclusion of all others, whether that’s a specific class feature, a feat (or feat chain), or some similar concept. Specialist classes, by design, miss out on some of the features available to a base class to focus on strengthening their focused concept beyond what is typically available. They are also short enough that a character can gain all the benefits of the specialist class and still return to their base class or move into a prestige class within a reasonable time frame.
By hyper focusing on one aspect to the exclusion of other class features leaves players with a dilemma. Is it worth delaying all of your other fighter class features for three levels to focus on this one feature? For some players, yes, absolutely, and for others who focus on other aspects of their character, it would be a complete waste.
Perhaps you’ve only taken a 1 or 2 level dip into paladin and have multiclassed into monk or sorcerer but still want your smite evil ability to be meaningful, or perhaps you’ve gone single class paladin and just really what to focus on smiting. Either way, you might want to take levels in a specialist class that improves your smite ability.
On the other hand, a player with a paladin/sorcerer who is focused more heavily on his spellcasting doesn’t want to lose any more spellcaster levels. Taking levels in in a specialist class would delay what he really wants for his character.
To me, that’s what a specialist class should be: a meaningful choice. Do I specialize or remain more of a generalist? Is this one aspect of my character exciting enough to me to invest in it while neglecting other aspects?
Specialist classes are there to customize and focus your characters, but their limited scope means they always come with an opportunity cost attached to them.