I would like to see 3.5e updates to the various PrCs that appeared in the 3E run of Ravenloft. I am already doing a rework of Alchemical Philosopher, and I will include a straight 3.5 conversion as well so that people that want to use the original version can do so.
The issues affecting the 3E PrCs are balance and anachronism. The Dilettante (page 31,
Heroes of Light) has an ability at 4th level called Master Diplomat (Ex). It gives "Skill Focus (Diplomat)" (it should be diplomacy) that confers a "+3 bonus, rather than the normal +2". In 3.5e, +3 bonus for Skill Focus is normal.
One thing interesting about Dilettante is that it provides a use for the weird Wealth feat (which should also be revised). The Dilettante uses the bard chassis and is supposed to be for bards. The bard spell progression is 5/10, and you have to wonder what is so great about the Dilettante that it has to sacrifice that much spellcasting. Since it literally uses the same chassis as the bard, its a mystery. For those that do not know, the only reason to do something like this is because the class features in the PrC are much better than the base class which it is supposed to progress. With the Dilettante, this isn't the case at all.
The Metaphysician (page 35,
Heroes of Light) has
astral projection at 10th level. That's not even an ability that can be used in Ravenloft.
The Scholar (page 38,
Heroes of Light) has Improved Skill Focus (Ex) at 4th level, which faces the same problem as the Dilettante.
True Innocent (page 40,
Heroes of Light) has all bad saving throws. Holy violation of design principles, Batman! I think you could easily flip this around and give all good saving throws for this 5 level PrC. I think the designer thought that the bad saving throws could be mitigated by giving the True Innocent Divine Grace (Ex) at 3rd level, which is Charisma bonus to saving throws. The "default class" for True Innocent is commoner, which makes me suspect that True Innocent is supposed to be an NPC class but it wasn't explicitly stated.
The White Arcanist (page 42,
Heroes of Light) is a confused mess that becomes a ghost at 10th level. A 5/10 spellcasting progression class with the "default class" being Sorcerer, the White Arcanist gains power by falling. Who thought of this "default class" mechanic, anyway? Bizarre.
I am not identifying every class or problem. Just what is immediately detectable. I guess more deep seated problems exist in every single class. On to
Champions of Darkness briefly.
The Manipulator has stringent entry prerequisites. Lawful Neutral or Lawful Evil. Three feats. Bluff, Diplomacy and Gather Information 8 ranks each. Sense Motive 4 ranks, and Perform (probably a cross class skill costing 2 skill points per rank) 4 ranks.
In exchange the Manipulator gets a custom spell list of a handful of spells that they can use of up to 3rd level, with an anaemic number of spells per day. Furthermore, it caps out at 5th Caster Level, and by the time the Manipulator gets the spells, they will be useless against any adversary. The manipulator is broken.
I am pretty tired so I will stop now. Every single PrC I look at has serious problems. I really struggle to understand how this was allowed to happen. Revision is desperately needed.
As a counter purpose, a focus on defunct domains (like Gundarak) would be appreciated.