Excerpt: Multiclassing (merged)

Rechan · Apr 30, 2008

Does things like 'Word 1/encounter' Such as 'Divine challenge 1/encounter' mean that they GET the Divine Challenge + 1/encounter ability, or they only can use Divine Challenge once an encounter?

Mouseferatu · Apr 30, 2008

neceros said:
How so? I didn't notice any oddness.

The phrases "feats, xth level" should be with the prerequisites, not the benefits.

IOW, the prerequisite of "Acolyte Power" should read:

Any class-specific multiclass feats, 8th level.

And the benefit should read:

Swap one utility power with one of multiclass

M.L. Martin · Apr 30, 2008

Mouseferatu said:
Formatting on that table's a little off. That's going to confuse some people.

Hmm...what's wrong with it? My guess is that the level listing on the 'Novice Power', 'Acolyte Power', and 'Adept Power' belong in the Prerequisites column.
EDIT: Apparently our vampiric rodent has picked up the Sneak of Shadows feat.

As for the article, it's underwhelming at first glance, but it's growing on me. So you get to pick up a skill (the 'iconic' skill for Cleric, Rogue, and Wizard, a choice for everyone else), get to use the class's 'core' power as if it were a step below where it normally was, and get to meet prerequisites for feats, paragon paths, etc. Then you can spend feats to swap out powers. The 'build options' and other bits will have to wait until 11th level, I imagine.

It's not as flexible as 3E, and it favors dabblers over even splits, but it looks like it should do the job.

And it's worth it just for this line: "In 4th Edition, we strived to make each character option useful. Since D&D lacks a competitive or deck building element, it's silly to hide bad choices in the rules."

We continue our joyful dance on the grave of 'system mastery'.

Shroomy · Apr 30, 2008

Green Knight said:
They've said that Half-Elves are good multiclassers, so Half-Elves probably get a multiclass Feat of their choice, and in this case, Tira got Arcane Initiate.

She's not listed as having any of the multi-class feats on her character sheet and the mechanics don't seem to jive with the excerpt. My guess is that half-elves get any classes at-will power as a per encounter ability.

DanChops · Apr 30, 2008

I'm actually quite happy with this approach to multi-classing. One thing it allows for that previous systems didn't do very well is multi-classing at first level. (Sure, the 3.0 DMG had "Apprentice level" rules, but I didn't find that to be very satisfying.) For example, the 4E approach seems to allow for the classic "Fighter/Magic User" as a viable option from level one: simply create a fighter with the Arcane Initiate feat (or, alternativly, a Wizard with the Student of the Sword feat) and you're golden.

Hussar · Apr 30, 2008

Rechan said:
Does things like 'Word 1/encounter' Such as 'Divine challenge 1/encounter' mean that they GET the Divine Challenge + 1/encounter ability, or they only can use Divine Challenge once an encounter?

I would assume the latter. It wouldn't make much sense to multiclass and get MORE uses out of something that a class gets. So, you nick an encounter power out of another class and get to use it once/encounter.

Aristotle · Apr 30, 2008

I'll probably lift the two class maximum to three in my game, although I'll run the game as written first. I like this in general. It lets you dabble in another class, and provides lots of interesting combos. I thought I saw somewhere that you could choose to take secondary class powers instead of paragon path powers. That isn't mentioned here? It is cool that the feats qualify you for the secondary classes paragon paths. That increases value.

I'm sure it's well balanced, but I still think the absolute best combos will be those from the same power source or those fitting the same combat role. That's cool by me. Wizards who have learned to tap the darker side of the arcane power source and rogue woodsmen sound great to me.

small pumpkin man · Apr 30, 2008

neceros said:
How so? I didn't notice any oddness.

I assume it's the levels on the bottom three feats, it's not obvious what they mean.

-edit, Ninja'd, Ninja'd so hard it hurts

malcolm_n · Apr 30, 2008

Oh, I wonder (quickly looks at the Paragon path article)...
From the looks of the articles, you could

1) play a human fighter and get Sneak of Shadows at level 1
2) pick up Novice Power at level 4 and swap your encounter power you'd gain for Torturous Strike.
3) Gain powers as a cleric starting at 11?

I mean, if you think about it, that'd be an effective way to tri-class; it would be weaker though, than a paragon path, but fun for a character concept. What do ya'll think about if this is how it works or allowing it to?

Rechan · Apr 30, 2008

Hussar said:
I would assume the latter. It wouldn't make much sense to multiclass and get MORE uses out of something that a class gets. So, you nick an encounter power out of another class and get to use it once/encounter.

But Divine Challenge, Sneak Attack, etc are At Will.