[RPG] What Pathfinder prestige classes have full spell-casting progression?

optimizationpathfinder-1e

When optimizing spell-casting characters in Pathfinder it is conventional wisdom one should not give up caster levels. What first-party prestige classes offer full spell-casting progression for divine or arcane spellcasters?

Best Answer

The following classes offer full spell-casting progression for either arcane or divine spellcasters.

Arcane Trickster (10 levels) - Requires 2d6 of sneak attack and ability to cast a 2nd level arcane spell. Increases sneak attack and applies it to spellcasting.

Loremaster (10 levels)

Mystic Theurge (10 levels) - Requires 2nd level arcane and divine spells. Increases spellcasting for both an arcane and divine class.

Diabolist (10 levels) - Imp companion

Dissident of Dawn (10 levels) - Requires ability to cast daylight as a divine spell. According to the current FAQ this can be satisfied by a spell-like ability.

Envoy of Balance (10 levels)

Genie Binder (5 levels)

Harrower (10 levels)

Hell Knight Signifer (10 levels)

Soul Warden (10 levels) - Grants channel energy

Spherewalker (5 levels)

Veiled Illusionist (10 levels) - Adds illusion spells from sorcerer/wizard spell list

The following classes offer almost full spell-casting progression for either arcane or divine spellcasters. They give up no more than one level of spell casting progression.

Agent of the Grave (5 levels) - Special abilities for summoned undead

Arcane Savant (7 levels) - Adds spells from any spell list

Demonaic (10 levels) - Demon lord boons

Evangelist (10 levels) - Gains all class features for 9 levels of her aligned class


Arcane

The following classes offer full spell-casting progression for arcane spellcasters.

Bloatmage (10 levels) - Cast spells without using spell slots

Collegiate Arcanist (10 levels) - Requires ability to prepared 3rd-level arcane spells. Adds druid and Good domain to spell list.

Cyphermage (10 levels) - Special scroll abilities

Mage of the Third Eye (10 levels) - Requires arcane school class feature

Natural Alchemist (10 levels) - Grants alchemist discoveries and bombs

The following classes offer almost full spell-casting progression for arcane spellcasters. They give up no more than one level of spell casting progression.

Eldritch Knight (10 levels) - Requires martial weapon proficiency. Gives full BAB progression.

Daivrat (10 levels) - Get one spell from any spell list each day

Technomancer (10 levels)

Winter Witch (10 levels) - Witch only


Divine

The following classes offer full spell-casting progression for divine spellcasters.

Divine Scion (10 levels)

Exalted (10 levels) - Gives Deific Obedience boons, domain spell-like abilities, and a mini miracle.

Green Faith Acolyte (10 levels) - Grants animal companion

Inheritor's Crusader (3 levels) - Only Cleric or Paladin. Full BAB

The following classes offer almost full spell-casting progression for divine spellcasters. They give up no more than one level of spell casting progression.

Balanced Scale of Abadar (6 levels)