Monk/wizard or Fighter/wizard based Prestige Classes

Strong fighter/wizards or monk/wizards who reach a certain level of power become able to merge their two classes into one, losing only minor aspects of the two separate classes but gaining the benefits of advancing in both at the same pace. Such characters become extremely deadly in combat due to the natural combination of their magic with their weaponry.

The Enlightened Fist

The Enlightened Fist combines the combat powers of the monk with the magical abilities of a wizard. Because of the rigors of studying magic, the Enlightened Fist can no longer concentrate on gaining the special abilities - such as Immunity to Disease and the like - which a monk gains, but will continue to advance in combat powers - unarmed damage, AC bonus, and the like - as a monk. The Enlightened Fist also continues to gain magical powers as a Wizard. In addition, the Enlightened Fist is able to imbue his or her unarmed attacks with the power of his or her spells, with energy damage, or with the effect of any ranged touch spell (such as scorching ray or ray of enfeeblement). The Enlightened Fist can also swap Power Points for Hit Points, effectively channeling arcane power to heal wounds.

The Enlightened Fist essentially swaps some of the more unique monk special abilities for the ability to merge spells with combat, and to continue gaining power as a spell-user without losing the monk's unique unarmed combat skills and supreme defensive power.

The Spellsword

The spellsword is a prestige class best suited to the fighter/wizard. The spellsword sacrifices rapidity of development of magical power for versatility in combat, slowly gaining the ability to cast spells in heavier and heavier armour and to channel his spells through his weapon. By 4th level, for example, a Spellsword can channel any spell into his weapon, so that it can be delivered with the weapon's blow any time in the ensuing 8 hours. Such channelled spells can include lightning bolt, fireball and the like, and the spell can be channelled in the same round as the attack is activated. At high levels this enables the spellsword to cast spells and attack in the same round, and to fight in heavy armour like a warrior - a truly potent combination.