D&D 5E Multiclass in 5E

[Obryn]

I can honestly say I don't much care for multiclassing at all, in any edition.

In 1e/2e it was kind of wacky. In 3e, it was a disguised point-buy. In 4e, it was either multi-dabbling or "here's a set of rules for you to make a bad character." Of these, I prefer the multi-dabbling, but that's because you're still sticking close to an archetype, overall. I least prefer the 3e version because most every character picked something up (as long as they could keep their full casting progression).

My ideal class-based system would more or less do away with multiclassing and do two things. (1) Make classes broad and flexible enough to cover several closely-grouped archetypes, and (2) give enough archetypes you have a class that approaches your character concept.

-O

 

[BobTheNob]

Im hoping they tackle multiclassing sooner. Treat it like an after thought and you may just end up with 4e PHB multiclassing (which was hardly one of 4e's more stellar aspects). IMHO It has to be baked into the core, not treated as a supplement to the core, or you will just get it wrong (power abuse and balance issue's).

3e style just doesnt do it for me. I know where they were coming from, but (for my part) it created more problems than it solved. After playing the neverwinter2 mmo mod for a bit, I never want to see 3e multiclassing again

Looking at the playtest, (taking a stab based on what I have read)I think multi classing is that you are both classes except :
a) Numerics take the better of (e.g. to-hits, hp)
b) Create cut down versions of class capabilities for multi classes (e.g. different combat superiority dice for a fighter, different spell chart for a mage)

 

[tlantl]

I actually think I want a mix of 1E/2e and 3E. You can choose to multiclass at 1st level, or change your profession at a later level (for however many levels).

So you could have an elf F/M-U at 1st, and when you hit, say, 3rd, you could decide to stop advancing as a fighter, pick up a couple levels of rogue (while still advancing as wizard), and then go back to advancing as a fighter - or another class. You could even choose to stop advancing as a wizard so you could level a bit faster. Course, for my own game, I'd be putting a limit on the # of classes you could mix together - probably max 3, *maybe* 4.

(For figuring XP, if you dual-class, you'd need x2 XP for the next level, x3 if you have 3 classes. If you just "switch", you'd just need normal XP - or +50% if you want to discourage hopping about).

I had a similar idea but for a magic item or group of items that you feed experience points to which charges an item representing the class you want to gain levels in.

 

[Dice4Hire]

In 3E, I finally had to introduce a houserule that some features of a new class (mostly decided case by case) were gained at the third level of a class.

This only applied to the third class a character took, whether it was a base class or a prestige class. That helped cut down on cherry-picking and did not overly hurt characters who honestly wanted to multiclass.

Looking at the playtest stuff now, we could see the same kind of multiclassing problems with 5E that 3E had.

 

[Mattachine]

My great hopes in this regard:

1. There are enough classes and specialties to cover the most common multiclass characters. For instance, make a base fighter/wizard class.

2. Multiclassing is presented as an optional rule. It doesn't have to be in a "module", but I hope it isn't the default.

 

[MoonSong]

My great hopes in this regard:

1. There are enough classes and specialties to cover the most common multiclass characters. For instance, make a base fighter/wizard class.

2. Multiclassing is presented as an optional rule. It doesn't have to be in a "module", but I hope it isn't the default.

And mine are more or less the opossite:

- It must be simple and it must be satisfactory, no more gimped half working characters, If I multiclass into rogue I should have access to the same features a full classed one, not a "once under a blue moon" watered down version. It should also be something you can apply on the fly as you level up, but some way to be multiclassed right out of the door too.
- That I don't have to wait for the third phb to get the multiclass rules (this one borders on a dealbreaker)

 

[Mattachine]

And mine are more or less the opossite:

- It must be simple and it must be satisfactory, no more gimped half working characters, If I multiclass into rogue I should have access to the same features a full classed one, not a "once under a blue moon" watered down version. It should also be something you can apply on the fly as you level up, but some way to be multiclassed right out of the door too.
- That I don't have to wait for the third phb to get the multiclass rules (this one borders on a dealbreaker)

Multiclassing as an optional rule could be presented from day one in the DMG, for instance.

Still, if multiclassing gives all the same features of a full classed member of a class . . . game balance doesn't work out so well.

 

[MoonSong]

Multiclassing as an optional rule could be presented from day one in the DMG, for instance.

Still, if multiclassing gives all the same features of a full classed member of a class . . . game balance doesn't work out so well.

Multiclass is too important for players to be restricted to the DMG, but that is beside the point. Multiclass should give you the full benefits of the second class, I'm not saying it should be right away and totally equal to a fully single classed character, but if my character is multiclassing to cleric, he/she should work like a cleric from the moment of taking that class instead of having to wait over ten levels, compromise significant customization resources and overall power to get a workable channel divinity. What I like about the 3.x way is that in that way your character with three levels or rogue can be expected to perform in a reasonabily similar way to a third level rogue when doing roguish things, and all it costs you is three levels of the other class, and that the more you comit to the second class the more you become similar to that class instead of having second rate abilities that hardly are worth it. If I'm multiclassing cleric then I should be a cleric, not a guy who once per day gets to act like a cleric.

 

[Raith5]

I love multiclassing and have had multiclassed PCs in all editions of D&D. I think 1st ed is a bit too strong compared to single classed PCs and 3rd ed way too varied - mostly too weak but a few freakish builds. I think 4e hybrids were best experience and most balanced with single classed PCs - but I am not sure how that would work with DDN. I think the way pathfinder deals with spell casters should also be considered.

 

[KidSnide]

I love multiclassing and have had multiclassed PCs in all editions of D&D. I think 1st ed is a bit too strong compared to single classed PCs and 3rd ed way too varied - mostly too weak but a few freakish builds. I think 4e hybrids were best experience and most balanced with single classed PCs - but I am not sure how that would work with DDN. I think the way pathfinder deals with spell casters should also be considered.

How does PF handle multiclassed spellcasters? Or, to be more specific, how is it different from how 3.5 handles multiclassed spellcasters?

-KS