D&D 5E Life Cleric Multiclass armor prof

[MoonSong]

I have a reading that solves this for me. "When you pick this domain at first level" If you are dipping into cleric, you didn't pick your domain at first level so no heavy armor for you.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Depending on how you read it, you could make a case for abilities called bonus proficiencies not gained by multiclassing. Features that are really essential to a class are all called dofferently even if they are just extra proficiencies.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

The other weird thing about how multiclassing proficiencies work is that you can end up with superior weapon/armor proficiencies without the inferior ones. Becoming a valor bard will get you martial weapons, but won't give you any simple weapons you don't already know. Medium armor, but won't give you light if you lack it.

I would also rule it that way if you are multiclassing bard. The extra skills and weapon proficiencies are in addition to another more important skill and you could make the case that you should not dip for those proficiencies.

 

[BoldItalic]

I have a reading that solves this for me. "When you pick this domain at first level" If you are dipping into cleric, you didn't pick your domain at first level so no heavy armor for you.

That's my reading too, but it seems to be unpopular. Can't think why

You could do it the other way around - make heavy armour proficiency (from your first class) prerequisite for taking Life Cleric.

As in, the Life Cleric college doesn't accept candidates for cross-training if they aren't already minimally competent. They don't approve of level-dipping. Shows lack of commitment. Imagine the interview questions: "Why the sudden urge to fight in chainmail? Why didn't you pick a martial class in the first place, if you were so keen?" And the rejection: "We regret to inform you that the goddess does not have need of people who cannot made up their minds about what they want to be. She needs servants with the wisdom to know who they are truly destined to be, from an early age."

That would really put the cat among the pigeons.

 

[Arvin Natsuko]

I have a reading that solves this for me. "When you pick this domain at first level" If you are dipping into cleric, you didn't pick your domain at first level so no heavy armor for you.

The problem with that reading is that the next feature of the Life Cleric, Disciple of Life, says:

Also starting at first level, your healing spells are more effective.

So if your reading is the correct one, you also do not gain the other feature.

 

[thalmin]

The other weird thing about how multiclassing proficiencies work is that you can end up with superior weapon/armor proficiencies without the inferior ones. Becoming a valor bard will get you martial weapons, but won't give you any simple weapons you don't already know. Medium armor, but won't give you light if you lack it.

But multiclassing into bard DOES give you Light Armor Proficiency.

 

[dmnqwk]

I agree that Life Cleric is worded like that, but Tempest and War are clearly not so unfortunately the wording isn't there. You simply have to trust the DM to make a fair decision.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

But multiclassing into bard DOES give you Light Armor Proficiency.

Good point, I entirely forgot that. So it really is just the cleric domains that are the culprits here.

 

[MoonSong]

The problem with that reading is that the next feature of the Life Cleric, Disciple of Life, says:

Also starting at first level, your healing spells are more effective.

So if your reading is the correct one, you also do not gain the other feature.

But that feature has a different condition (you be 1st level or higher), the other one is pretty specific (you pick the domain when you are first level)

 

[Mirtek]

I really don't see the issue here. Anybody who wants to level dip for heavy armor starts in the heavy armor class at level 1 and the starts taking his real class at levels 2-20. This not only gets heavy armor but also doesn't need the MC statt requirements for the heavy armor class

So who cares if taking life cleric at level 2 also gives you heavy armor Prof, when taking it at level 1 allows you to do it with 8 wis and gain the prof?