Need input on multiclassing house rule

[SnowHeart]

Hello all. Need some advice.

In a campaign I'm running, I wanted to encourage my players to rely more on core classes and I also thought the RAW about multiclassing was too punitive. I decided to toss out the RAW penalties for multiclassing when a PC's levels are too disparite (get rid of the stick) but give modest bonuses for taking levels in your favored class (add a carrot). Specifically, for each level in your race's favored class, you would get one extra hit point and, at 5th and 10th level in your favored class, you would get a bonus feat. So far, this has worked out relatively well... nobody has played a human.

Now, one of my PCs is taking the Leadership Feat and would like a human cohort with 5 levels in Bard, and then 5 levels in Evangelist (a PrC with only 5 levels). As a human, the cohort's favored class would be whatever class she has the most levels in. Initially, that would be bard -- +5 hp and one bonus feat at 5th level.

Now, we're trying to figure out if the cohort would receive another 5 hp and 10th level bonus feat or not. I'm thinking "no" but would appreciate advice and input. Remember, this is supposed to be a bonus or incentive for sticking with core classes rather than a penalty for branching out.

Thanks.

[Nonlethal Force]

How about a moderate house-rule? PrCs grant half the expected value so long as the PrC is reasonably based off of the favored class. So, the NPC would get the 5 from the bard levels and 2 for the evangelist. So it's not a total win, but not a total loss, either. If you are looking at feats, you could extend the pattern to half as well (or a bonus feat to a character with 10 levels in a PrC that is based off of a particular base class). Of course, this wouldn't be possible with the evangelist PrC.

[Kerrick]

I would say no. PrCs can never be favored classes. OTOH, Force has a good idea - you shouldn't punish the players for choosing a class that fits their PCs' archetype.

[SnowHeart]

Although I quite like the idea of offering a half-bonus for a PrC that matches the characters archetype (and it would definitely be in keeping with wanting to reward the players rather than punishing them), it then puts me in the position of "judging" whether the PrC "fits" the player's image of his or her character. I'm not quite sure I want to go there.

It did come up at the table last night and one of the players made the same comment, that PrCs are never favored class anyway. So, that may just be the route I go.

[Nonlethal Force]

Originally Posted by SnowHeart

it then puts me in the position of "judging" whether the PrC "fits" the player's image of his or her character. I'm not quite sure I want to go there.

That's what the Prereqs are for.

Skills: Any skills that are used as a base level entry determination (Like Hide 8 ranks for a class that can be entered at 6th level) must be on the class list for the favored class. Non level determning skills (Like Knowledge [Geography] 4 ranks for the same class as having Hide 8 ranks) do not need to appear on the class list of skills.

Feats: Feats prerequisites need not play a role.

Class Abilities: Any prereqs that are class abilities must appear in the favored class.

BAB, Saves: A PrC with certain save limits (Like Will +7 for a PrC designed for 10th level entry) imply the base class must be strong in that save category. A BAB prereq must be based on a class with at least the level necessary to enter at the lowest level. (For example, a class designed to be entered at 10th level with BAB +10 must come from a class with a Good BAB; a 10th level PrC with a BAB of +7 must come from a class with at least an Average BAB)



There you go. That is a guideline that will help you make such a determination. Let the players be responsible for taking these rules and proving to you why their PrC should count in your system. So, you just look at the work they do to get the benefit.

Also, these rules automatically eliminate something like the Fochluchan Lyrist. THis is because it requires class abilities from both the druid and the bard. so unless you have a race that has a favored class of both druid and bard ... this PrC will never qualify for your special house-rule. And I think that's alright.

Any help?

[Derro]

Originally Posted by Kerrick

I would say no. PrCs can never be favored classes.

This right here.

I find when making these adjudications the simplest ruling is the best. By your own statement the bias is toward core classes. Prestige classes, by design, are their own reward.