D&D 5E good breakdown of multiclass vs single class for 5e?

[not-so-newguy]

One of the players in my group is considering multiclassing his 4th level Lore Bard with a level of Warlock. Personally, I don't like to multiclass my characters, but to each their own.

Anyway I was looking for some links to send him, so that he can make an informed decision without my influence.

Thanks

EDIT. NEVERMIND, I found the answer

Feel free to post pet pics or whatever

 

[el-remmen]

I have no links but am in the opposite boat. I love multi-classed. Most of my characters have been multiclassed in every edition I've played (except BECMI, of course)

 

[Baldurs_Underdark]

I always appreciate multiclassing the decision to do so originates from roleplay. If it's just a powerplay with no roleplay, I have a major issue with it.

The Handbooker Helper series has an 8-min intro into multiclassing. Not sure what kind of links the OP is searching for. Because number of the possibilities are infinite very large, I am not sure there are handy links that show the best combos.

 

[not-so-newguy]

Heh, I think I found what I was looking for.

Dungeons & Dragons | The World's Greatest Roleplaying Game

The official home and digital toolset for Dungeons & Dragons. Dive into D&D books, create a character, and more!

www.dndbeyond.com

 

[Dausuul]

The main thing is that he should be wary of delaying that 5th level of bard more than one or two levels.

Even if he doesn't care about optimization, there is such an insane spike in power when you hit 5th level (in any class, not just bard) that he will really feel the gap between his PC and the others in the party. That is the level when wizards go from scorching ray to fireball, and fighters literally double their damage output. For bards, it means access to powerhouse spells like fear and hypnotic pattern, plus inspiration refreshing on a short rest instead of a long rest.

Once you get to 5th, it's much less of a big deal to branch out. Warlock is the most multiclass-friendly class in the game; in fact, it's notorious for cheese builds. But even multiclassing into something with no synergy at all won't hurt you too much as long as you've hit that level 5 threshold in at least one of your classes.

 

[Shiroiken]

The main thing is that he should be wary of delaying that 5th level of bard more than one or two levels.

Even if he doesn't care about optimization, there is such an insane spike in power when you hit 5th level (in any class, not just bard) that he will really feel the gap between his PC and the others in the party.

This is the issue I have with 3E style multiclassing. Not even taking 5th level into consideration, which is particularly important in 5E, but the fact that you will almost always fall behind the power curve. With the exception of a few 1 level dips, the cost of power isn't regained in the value of the versatility, particularly with spellcasting. With AD&D multiclassing you lost out on progression, but at least you gained full value out of each class (minus HP). I recall 4E had an interesting multiclass method, but I don't remember too much about it.

I felt that the subclass system would have been the best method for setting up multiclassing for 5E. You could have the Thug subclass for rogue and the Scout subclass for the fighter to create different versions of the fighter/rogue. While this wouldn't allow for granular customization, it takes away the multiclass trap options that can ruin a character. It would also prevent the 1 level dips that dominate char op discussions.

 

[Horwath]

Even when having multiple multiclass characters over duration on 5E, I really dislike it.
1. Only thing that works is some cheese level 1-3 dips.
2. To me multiclass character would be even split character, but that is on power level, simply horrible.

 

[Flamestrike]

One of the players in my group is considering multiclassing his 4th level Lore Bard with a level of Warlock. Personally, I don't like to multiclass my characters, but to each their own.

That... sounds like a terrible idea.

He misses out on Bardic inspiration refreshing on a short rest (instead of a long rest) and 3rd level spells (Hypnotic pattern)

 

[ECMO3]

One of the players in my group is considering multiclassing his 4th level Lore Bard with a level of Warlock. Personally, I don't like to multiclass my characters, but to each their own.

Anyway I was looking for some links to send him, so that he can make an informed decision without my influence.

Thanks

EDIT. NEVERMIND, I found the answer

Feel free to post pet pics or whatever

I always multiclass. I generally find 4th level and 1st level to be the best times to multiclass. 4th is a good time to do it because you just got an ASI. With a Ranger I will sometimes push to 6th level before I multiclass but most other classes it is generally 1st or 4th when I do it.

There is a power jump in 5th level you lose out on, but there is also a power jump with a new class (1st level Fighter, Ranger and Paladin excepted).

Every other class except these will get you solid abilities at 1st level that are going to be competitive with or in some cases better than the 5th level power jump. For example, Rogue will get you a skill, thieves tools, expertise and sneak attack. A spell caster gets you a level in spell casting progression and new spells prepared/known, to include off-list spells and if you are already a caster it roughly doubles the number of cantrips you have. Clerics, Warlocks and Sorcerers get you a subclass at 1st level.

Are these new class and sometimes subclass abilities as good as getting extra attack or 3rd level spells known? Unless your game is solely combat focused, the answer is usually yes it is as good or better for most of the well thought out multiclasses.

If I multiclass at level 4 I almost always pick up 5th level in the first class the very next level (6th level total) and decide from there how I want the build to progress.

Some of my favorite multiclass builds I have played:
Arcane Trickster 4/Bladesinger x - Awesome melee tank with high melee damage, steady aim, great spells, high AC, skills and a TON of bonus action options.

Bladesinger X/Undead Warlock 2 - Form of dread plus bladesong plus spells plus invocations plus the best extra attack in the game.

Goblin Rogue 1/Ranger X - the best parts of cunning action, 7 total skills plus 3x expertise plus a nifty 1d6 sneak attack damage bonus.

Dragonborn Fey Wanderer Ranger 8/Bard x- The highest possible charisma skills in the game. Great spells, lots of spell slots, Dragon Fear and beguiling twist. Still good with weapons when you need to go that route.

 

[James Gasik]

The fact spellcasters don't lose out on spell slots for multiclassing with other casters (Warlock being a weird outlier*) and spells can be upcast, some with very decent results, makes this probably the best edition for multiclassing since AD&D (which was kind of busted, once you got past first few levels).

*But even then, being able to use your Warlock spell slot for non-Warlock spells has it's upsides, just ask a Paladin.