Multi-(Sub)Classing

[Rune]

So, just as a thought-experiment, I figured I'd come up with some rules for allowing characters to dip into subclasses outside of their classes (or multiple subclasses within their class). I'm sure this will likely yield some potent combinations and, frankly, I'd like to see what some of them are, especially if there are any game-breaking ones.

Multi-(Sub)Classing Rules

• Whenever a class would grant you features from a subclass, you may choose features of any subclass available at any equal or lesser class level.
  
  
• If multiple features from the same subclass would be granted at any single level, all of them are granted.
  
  
• Class features that are referenced by a subclass feature are not granted by that subclass feature. This means that many subclass features cannot be used unless at least one level in the original class is also taken.
  
  
• If a subclass feature grants spellcasting (as with the Eldritch Knight and the Arcane Trickster), the spellcaster level is determined by class levels in the associated class (Fighter and Rogue, respectively). Note that many subclass features augment spellcasting (for example, with bonus spells that are always prepared) without actually granting it. In these cases, spellcasting is granted through normal means.

So there you have it. A new playground of customizability.

Anyone want to see if you can come up with something really fun, potent, or just outright broken?

 

[RhaezDaevan]

Can you type up an example to show exactly how it works? It hasn't fully sunk in for me.

 

[Rune]

Sure. Simple example:

Gork the Half Orc Barbarian hits level 3 and decides to pick up the 3rd level Rogue (Assassin) ability, Assassinate, instead of the Path of the Berserker or Path of the Totem Warrior 3rd level abilities.

Later, he takes 3 levels in Fighter and picks up the 3rd level Fighter (Battlemaster) abilities, Combat Superiority and Student of War.

After this, Gork takes his 6th level of Barbarian and could choose a subclass feature of up to 6th level, but instead takes the 3rd level Fighter (Eldritch Knight) abilities, Spellcasting and Weapon Bond. Because he has 3 levels of Fighter, he gets 2 cantrips, knows 3 spells, and has 2 slots.

 

[RhaezDaevan]

Oh, you can cherry-pick? Seems really unbalanced, but I could see it being OK if everyone in the party does it.

I thought you meant it was taking all of the other class' subclass abilities, but I guess that'd result in abilities that are unusable because they rely on class features.

Are there no ability score prereqs like with regular multi-classing?

 

[Rune]

Oh, you can cherry-pick? Seems really unbalanced, but I could see it being OK if everyone in the party does it.

It does seem like it would be unbalanced, but I have no empirical evidence (yet, anyway) that it actually is. Like I said--thought experiment.

I thought you meant it was taking all of the other class' subclass abilities, but I guess that'd result in abilities that are unusable because they rely on class features.

I considered that approach, but the limitation didn't seem to add anything mechanically that isn't already covered with the general limitations.

Are there no ability score prereqs like with regular multi-classing?

There are, but in a kind of a stealthy way; many subclass features require multiclassing to function.

Add to this the facts that the level of subclass features available is determined not by character level, but the level of the class that would be granting one and that you are always trading at equal level or down.

It is not clear to me (as of yet) if it really is unbalanced or, if it is, to what extent.

 

[transtemporal]

I like the idea but not so keen on the mix and match thing. I think you should pick up a whole subclass, warts and all. Subclasses are often built with alternating powerful/underwhelming abilities. Mix and match would allow you to say, drop the widely derided (Fighter Champion 7th lvl) 'Remarkable Athlete' ability for the rather powerful (Cleric Nature Domain 6th lvl) 'Dampen Elements' ability. That seems potentially unbalanced to me.

Here's a more broken one for you though: (Fighter Battlemaster 3rd level) 'Student of War' for (Fighter Champion 3rd level) 'Improved Critical'. Lolz!

 

[RhaezDaevan]

I like the idea but not so keen on the mix and match thing. I think you should pick up a whole subclass, warts and all. Subclasses are often built with alternating powerful/underwhelming abilities. Mix and match would allow you to say, drop the widely derided (Fighter Champion 7th lvl) 'Remarkable Athlete' ability for the rather powerful (Cleric Nature Domain 6th lvl) 'Dampen Elements' ability. That seems potentially unbalanced to me.

Here's a more broken one for you though: (Fighter Battlemaster 3rd level) 'Student of War' for (Fighter Champion 3rd level) 'Improved Critical'. Lolz!

Exactly what I was thinking/saying. Though it's more clear how you said it.