+1 BAB and +1 Caster Level or +1 Manifester Level at PrC Level 1

[Rizban]

(Originally posted by Endarire)

Discussion Thread
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NOTE: This thread is focused on PrCs that advance casting or manifesting, not ones that have their own casting or manifesting.  Also, I'm sticking to the thread title; that is, only PrCs that grant +1 BAB and +1 caster level/manifester level on their first prestige class level qualify.  This is useful for dipping and as a way to minimize caster level or manifester level loss.

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Jesus: Thank You Father!
Endarire: He maintained and updated this guide.
pyro_cat: The original author from the 339 board.

Bananaphone: He made me aware of all of the benefits of Dragonslayer1.
Demelain: He suggested the Abjurant Champion divine adaptation.
TiaC: He told me that the Hexer title was missing.
Thurb@ne: He provided the initial Hexer writeup.

Arcane Only

Abjurant Champion Complete Mage 50
-=REQUIRES=-
+5 BAB
Combat Casting (feat)
Proficiency with at least 1 martial weapon (go, go Elves, Outsiders, Kobolds, and some others)
Able to cast 1st-level arcane spells including at least 1 Abjuration spell.

-=GRANTS=-
+1 AC per Abjurant Champion level when using spells to give an Armor bonus to AC
Auto-Extend level 1 Abjuration spells you cast - spell level is 1/2 Abjurant Champion level rounded up

Bladesinger Complete Warrior 17
-=REQUIRES=-
Elf or Half-Elf (Drow and Half-Drow count)
+5 BAB
Combat Casting (feat)
Combat Expertise (feat)
Dodge (feat)
Weapon Focus: Longsword or Rapier (feat)
Balance 2 Ranks
Concentration 4 Ranks
Perform: Dance 2 Ranks
Perform: Sing 2 Ranks
Tumble 2 Ranks
Able to cast 1st-level arcane spells.

-=GRANTS=-
+4 Dodge AC when wielding a longsword or rapier one-handed

Spellsword Complete Warrior 79
-=REQUIRES=-
+4 BAB
Proficiency with all non-exotic weapons, armor, and shields
Knowledge: Arcana 6 Ranks
Must be able to cast 2nd-level arcane spells.

-=GRANTS=-
10% less arcane spell failure

-=NOTES=-
The feat Precocious Apprentice (Complete Arcane 181) qualifies you with only a single level in an arcane casting class, such as Wizard, Sorcerer, or Bard.  Not recommended, though.

Dragonslayer1 (Draconomicon 125) is the default lead into Spellsword1 (Complete Warrior 79).  Dragonslayer1/Spellsword1 is wonderful for the typical arcane gish due to casting progression and 2 BAB.

Divine Only

Abjurant Champion ADAPTATION Complete Mage 52
-=REQUIRES=-
+5 BAB
Combat Casting (feat)
Proficiency with at least 1 martial weapon (go, go Elves, Outsiders, Kobolds, and some others)
Able to cast 1st-level divine spells including at least 1 Abjuration spell.

-=GRANTS=-
+1 AC per Abjurant Champion level when using spells to give an Armor bonus to AC
Auto-Extend level 1 Abjuration spells you cast - spell level is 1/2 Abjurant Champion level rounded up

Bright Warden of Paladine Dragonlance: Holy Order of Stars 32
-=REQUIRES=-
You must have successfully turned an undead creature
Extra Turning (feat)
WHAT ELSE?

-=GRANTS=-
Continued Turn Undead progression
All non-exotic proficiencies

]Prestige Paladin[/url][/b] Unearthed Arcana 71
-=REQUIRES=-
+4 BAB
Knowledge: Nobility 2 Ranks
Knowledge: Religion 2 Ranks
Ride 4 Ranks
Mounted Combat (feat)
Ability to cast protection from evil as a divine spell
Turn Undead
Lawful Good alignment

-=GRANTS=-
Continued Turn Undead progression
Detect evil (Sp) at will
Smite Evil 1/day

Sacred Fist Complete Divine 59
-=REQUIRES=-
+4 BAB
Knowledge: Religion 8 Ranks
Combat Casting (feat)
Combat Reflexes (feat)
Improved Unarmed Strike (feat or Monk/Unarmed Swordsage ability)
Stunning Fist (feat or Monk ability)
Ability to cast level 1 divine spells

-=GRANTS=-
Unarmed Damage Progression: Stacks with Monk levels
+1 Misc AC when unencumbered, wearing no shield, and wearing light or no armor

-=NOTES=-
Normally intended for a Monk/Cleric, a Sacred Fist also can work well with a Monk/Ur-Priest.  (See Complete Divine 70 for details on the Ur-Priest PrC.)

Scourge Maiden Shining South 40
-=REQUIRES=-
+4 BAB
Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Scourge (feat)
Initiate of Lovitar (feat - See Shining South 20 for details.)
Heal 4 Ranks
Intimidate 8 Ranks
Use Rope 4 Ranks
Femininity (class is for females only)
Lawful Neutral, Lawful Evil, or Neutral Evil alignment

-=GRANTS=-
Weapon Focus: Scourge

Windwalker Faiths & Pantheons 212
-=REQUIRES=-
Human, Half-Elf, or Air Genasi (Half-Drow count)
+5 BAB
Hide 5 Ranks
Move Silently 5 Ranks
*Survival 5 Ranks (technically Intuit Direction 5 Ranks and Wilderness Lore 3 Ranks)
Lighting Reflexes (feat)
Track (feat)
Weapon Focus: Greatsword (feat)
Ability to cast divine spells.  Cleric Windwalkers must have the Air or Travel domain
Must worship Shaundakul as your patron deity
Must have visited at least 3 geographical regions
Must have flown for at least 1 hour, such as by wings, the fly spell, or a flying mount

-=GRANTS=-
Add Air and Travel domain spells to your divine spell lists.
Continual feather fall

-=NOTES=-
This class is meant for Rangers, considering the skill requirements.

Complete Divine 20 says that if you apply these domains (Air and Travel) to a prepared casting class, you can prepare one domain spell per spell level per day.  If you add these domains to a spontaneous casting class, like Favored Soul, you can choose these spells as spells known, but can't exceed your limit for spells known.

Arcane or Divine

Dragonslayer Draconomicon 125
-=REQUIRES=-
+5 BAB
Dodge (feat)
Iron Will (feat)
Tumble 2 Ranks

-=GRANTS=-
Aura of Courage (Immunity to fear for you and, for all allies within 10' of you, a +4 morale bonus vs. fear effects)
+1 weapon damage against dragons
Proficiency with all nonexotic weapons, armor, and shields

-=NOTES=-
Dragonslayer1 (Draconomicon 125) is the default lead into Spellsword1 (Complete Warrior 79).  Dragonslayer1/Spellsword1 is wonderful for the typical arcane gish due to casting progression and 2 BAB.

If you have or can easily gain the prerequisites, Dragonslayer is a fantastic dip for pretty much any caster!

Hexer Masters of the Wild 63
-=REQUIRES=-
Knowledge: Arcana 10 Ranks
Spellcraft 8 Ranks
Survival 10 Ranks (technically, Wilderness Lore 10 Ranks)
Must be able to cast lightning bolt as a divine spell
Must be a Monstrous Humanoid, Giant, Goblinoid or other primitive Humanoid, such as an Orc, a Half-Orc, or a Gnoll
Any non-Good alignment

-=GRANTS=-
Hex: 1/day, 30' gaze, save of 10 + Hexer level + WIS modifier; causes -4 penlaty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks and skill checks

-=NOTES=-
The NPC Adept class (Dungeon Master's Guide 107) is the intended entry for this class.  A more optimal entry is usually Archivist (Heroes of Horror 82), using the notion of 'all arcane spells exist also as divine spells,' meaning an Archivist can learn it.

The feat Alternative Source Spell ("Dragon" 325) is a rules-legal ways that any arcane spell can be a divine spell, or vice versa.  The Geomancer class (Complete Divine 41) implicitly allows this too, under the Spell Versatility class feature:  "When he casts [his spells], however, he can mix or match spellcasting parameters from any of his classes to gain the maximum possible advantage for any spell with a spell level equal to or less than his spell versatility score."

Thrall of Demogorgon Book of Vile Darkness 67
-=REQUIRES=-
BAB +4
Willing Deformity (feat)
Thrall to Demon (feat)
Knowledge: Arcana 2 Ranks
Knowledge: Religion 2 Ranks
Knowledge: Any Other 2 Ranks
Must be able to cast 1st-level spells or make sneak attacks
Chaotic Evil alignment

-=GRANTS=-
+1 Enhancement Natural Armor (like barkskin)
30' gaze of hypnotism: Save of 10 + Thrall of Demogorgon level + CHA modifier

Thrall of Orcus Book of Vile Darkness 71
-=REQUIRES=-
BAB +4
Lichloved (feat)
Thrall to Demon (feat)
Knowledge: Arcana 2 Ranks
Knowledge: Religion 2 Ranks
Must be able to cast a spell of the Necromancy school
Evil alignment

-=GRANTS=-
Carrion Stench: Living creatures within 10' must save or get -2 on d20 rolls and weapon damage for 1 turn
Immunity to your Carrion Stench

Arcane and Divine

Fochlucan Lyrist Complete Adventurer 47
-=REQUIRES=-
Decipher Script 7 Ranks
Diplomacy 7 Ranks
Gather Informaiton 7 Ranks
Knowledge: Nature 7 Ranks
Perform: Stringed Instruments 13 Ranks
Sleight of Hand 7 Ranks
Speak Language: Druidic
Ability to cast level 1 arcane spells and level 1 divine spells
Bardic Knowledge ability
Evasion ability
Neutral Good, True Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, or Neutral Evil alignment

-=GRANTS=-
Can safely cast Druid spells in metal armor
No multiclass XP penalty

Psionic Only

Defender of Sardior (Progresses PSYCHIC WARRIOR manifestation ONLY!)
-=REQUIRES=-
Knowledge: Religion 2 Ranks
Ability to manifest at least 1 level 2 power
Neutral Good, Neutral Evil, Lawful Neutral, True Neutral, or Chaotic Neutral alignment
Must be a worshiper of Sardior. Must also have performed a special service for the church of Sardior.  Ask your DM.

-=GRANTS=-
So long as you have at least 1 power point to spend, you get +1 damage with crystal weapons