Level Up (A5E) Multiclassing for 5E-Level up (dual-class)

[Horwath]

multiclassing is kind of a mixed bag in 5E.

Either it does not work if you go with puce multiclass(levels split down the middle) or it gets into some insane levels with 1-3 level dips.

personally, I hate 1-3 level dips in 10th level or more characters.


My best version is dual-classing;

But, to avoid complications with different XP progression(as many groups don't even use it, and level up via milestones in the story), one solution is to give out "free" levels in a class at certain character levels.

this way multiclass character would be as in 5E until 5th level, but you would have to level it by having both classes within one level of each other. So 4th level multiclass could only be a 2/2 split.
That means that 3rd level is the last chance to get on multiclass bandwagon.

now at 5th level, you would get all class features of both classes, but you would still count as 5th level, you would get average HP(round down) and average HD for healing(round down)

so 5th level multiclass would have 3/3 features but still be 5th level in all other aspects, like proficiency.

at 8th level and every 3 levels after you would get an additional "free" class level and be effective 5/5 split. Again averaging HPs and HDs, but on 8th, 14th and 20th level it would be round up.

that would get 20th level multiclass character an effective 13/13 class split with HPs and proficiency of 10/10 split as normal 20th level character.

Edit: added a table...

level	Class A	Class B
1	1
2		1
3	2
4		2
5	3	3
6	4
7		4
8	5	5
9	6
10		6
11	7	7
12	8
13		8
14	9	9
15	10
16		10
17	11	11
18	12
19		12
20	13	13

 

[CleverNickName]

Having a rule that requires all of your class levels be within 1 point of each other would fix nearly all of my issues with multiclassing.

 

[Horwath]

Having a rule that requires all of your class levels be within 1 point of each other would fix nearly all of my issues with multiclassing.

yes, you can do that, but after 5th level your character is going down the drain more and more with even split.

 

[CleverNickName]

yes, you can do that, but after 5th level your character is going down the drain more and more with even split.

Well maybe, depending on the classes you choose (and what "going down the drain" means for you and your style of play). But yes, the understanding is that you are trading expertise for versatility.

 

[Horwath]

Well maybe, depending on the classes you choose (and what "going down the drain" means for you and your style of play). But yes, the understanding is that you are trading expertise for versatility.

problem becomes when you are trading too much power for too little expertise.

I would be hard pressed to make a 5/5 character that is overall better than 10th level single class, unless we are talking about one narrow field.

Even with my suggestion that would be 6/6 split vs 10th level single class and I don't know would that character be any more powerful.

 

[CleverNickName]

@Horwath Fair points, all.
Perhaps "more powerful" shouldn't be the goal of multiclassing? Versatility has its merits, as does storytelling potential.

 

[aco175]

I could see something like a sub-class where you get 1/2 - 2/3 of a class, but it takes the place of your 3rd level path. You stay in your primary class and can add this sub-class to become ok in the 2nd class while still being good in your main class. Maybe by 10th level you are equivalent to a 7/4 or 8/5 if you multiclassed traditionally.

 

[Horwath]

I could see something like a sub-class where you get 1/2 - 2/3 of a class, but it takes the place of your 3rd level path. You stay in your primary class and can add this sub-class to become ok in the 2nd class while still being good in your main class. Maybe by 10th level you are equivalent to a 7/4 or 8/5 if you multiclassed traditionally.

that would not work as different sub classes have different power levels in comparison to base class.

or WTB half your level in sorcerer for trading Paladin Oaths...

 

[Horwath]

@Horwath Fair points, all.
Perhaps "more powerful" shouldn't be the goal of multiclassing? Versatility has its merits, as does storytelling potential.

of course versatility has it's own merits, but versatility alone cannot make an effective character. And multiclassing is usually for dips so you can increase power of your primary class.

I.E. 11th level, start of tier3 of play:

a well combined multiclass of 8/9 or 9/2 can be as effective as 11th level of pure class, but 6/5 will be well down in power level.

A 7/7 split instead of pure 11(with same average HPs and proficiencies) will be in more or less same power level if we include extra versatility of both classes.

most (sub)classes get some extra features at levels 1,3,5,7,9,11...

now the question is how much difference is between 1+3+5+7+9+11 vs 1+3+5+1+3 or 1+3+5+7+9+11 vs. 1+3+5+7+1+3+5+7
are few "free" levels more powerful than missing on high level features?

 

[FrogReaver]

multiclassing is kind of a mixed bag in 5E.

Either it does not work if you go with puce multiclass(levels split down the middle) or it gets into some insane levels with 1-3 level dips.

personally, I hate 1-3 level dips in 10th level or more characters.


My best version is dual-classing;

But, to avoid complications with different XP progression(as many groups don't even use it, and level up via milestones in the story), one solution is to give out "free" levels in a class at certain character levels.

this way multiclass character would be as in 5E until 5th level, but you would have to level it by having both classes within one level of each other. So 4th level multiclass could only be a 2/2 split.
That means that 3rd level is the last chance to get on multiclass bandwagon.

now at 5th level, you would get all class features of both classes, but you would still count as 5th level, you would get average HP(round down) and average HD for healing(round down)

so 5th level multiclass would have 3/3 features but still be 5th level in all other aspects, like proficiency.

at 8th level and every 3 levels after you would get an additional "free" class level and be effective 5/5 split. Again averaging HPs and HDs, but on 8th, 14th and 20th level it would be round up.

that would get 20th level multiclass character an effective 13/13 class split with HPs and proficiency of 10/10 split as normal 20th level character.

5e multiclassing doesn’t work well because classes don’t level nearly uniformly per level. You get big boosts some levels and trivial boosts others. There’s little synergy between most classes abilities. Etc.