Can the Skill Focus feat be used to gain early entry into a PRC?   For example, can a shadowdancer wannabe out two feats into skill focus hide and move silenty enter the class 3 levels ealier?  In otherwords, does that feat stack with ranks for PrC entry?

In all of the searching that I have done for optimization and such, rank requirements are the one thing that isn't really beatable when it comes to minimum level requirements for getting into PrC's. most other things have ways around them (some more questionable than others, but ways none the lesss). I'll keep looking though and let you know what i come up with. What was the example you were looking at?

-Z

Trying to cheat a better bard ;-).  I'm trying to figure out how to stack bard with the C.Arc. bard PrC and the Virtuoso PrC.  It's more of an academic notion than anything else.

well I have surprised myself and found a way (using rules as written) to get past skill rank requirements as well, but it requires a fair sum of money and access to the services of a 12th level bard and a 7th level psion. 

and of course there is the illithid savant class as well.... but that requires being a CR 15 monster >.> 

-Z

Which bard PrC from complete arcane? Sublime Chord or Seeker of the Song? If you'd like I can take a look at it and see if I can offer some early entry suggestions/options. ^_^

-Z

Sublime Chord.    I've got the build figured out.  One interesting thing to note:

If a PrC says, "+1 level of spellcasting class", you can apply that to ANY class that matches the energy type (arcane/divine) that you previously have.  You can even mix and match.

For example:

Jimbob starts off as a bard.  He then picks up a few levels of virtuoso.  Those first few levels give him more bard spell casting.  At level 10, he gets sublime Chord.  At level 11, he takes another level of virtuoso.  He can then choose which class to advance.  Bard, or Sublime Chord.

Figuring out that makes caster builds with PrC's a bit easier.

i just typed a page and a half of response, but my computer derped, so i lost it. i'm irked and frustrated and going to bed. 

fuck you microsoft.

fuck you.

microsoft.

-Z

ps. will try to remember/rewrite tomorrow.