D&D General Should you Multiclass?

[MichaelSomething]

What better way to be a Warlord then to multi class Fighter and Bard???

 

[Zardnaar]

What better way to be a Warlord then to multi class Fighter and Bard???

Fighter and order cleric.

 

[Distracted DM]

I do think it's a testament to 5e's design balance that multi-classing works as well as it does - mixing and matching with other classes could be fraught with balance issues, but it's not, particularly.

It's pretty common to take multiclass dips to get features that'll combo for much stronger results than a single-class could. But I guess not everyone has to deal with paladin-warlock super-smiter short rest-rechargers
Or a wizard that take a first level dip as artificer so they can have absurd AC without losing spell slot progression.

I consider multiclassing unbalanced but everyone has different experiences.

 

[pawsplay]

There are a lot of concepts that just make sense as some combination of Fighter and Rogue, though the game is a little punishing if you do it early. The dirty mercenary, the pirate, the cunning swashbuckler, etc. You can do some of these with subclasses but they aren't always focused on what I want, which is often bread and butter class features.

 

[DragonLancer]

Looking at it from a mechanical standpoint, older editions like 3rd saw (in my experience) a lot of players multiclassing in a level or two of Rogue for the sneak attack and evasion abilities. 2024 though, and I generally don't see it. It does look like sticking to a single class works better.

For mechanical benefit over role-play/concept, I've only seen two multiclass builds. One is the paladin/sorcerer, so that as you level you have lots of spell slots to draw upon for the paladin abilities. The other is a character in one of two campaigns that I am running, where the player has a Monk 7/Ranger 1 purely for Hunters Mark to get that little bit extra damage. Nothing too extreme. Otherwise everyone sticks to a single class so they benefit from what it and their chosen subclass gives them.

Currently in 5th edition, I don't think multiclassing is worth it from a mechanics point of view. It's more to create the character concept that you want.

 

[Horwath]

I always emphasize choosing a class and subclass that supports their concept before multiclassing. Or looking at other options , to the point of houseruling, as an alternative. Most of the time I’ve found that conversation helps to determine the player’s wants and needs and there’s a compromise somewhere without needing to multiclass.

As a GM I don’t like “dips” or multiclassing purely for mechanical or OP reaons. I have no problem with players saying “no thanks” and leaving a campaign if they insist. All the power to them. There are other groups who love that stuff and that’s fine.

5e PCs feel overpowered as it is, to be honest.

I hate dips also and I would like multiclass to be even split only, but that will leave your with gimped character most of the time.
wizard 5/fighter 6 looks nice as a concept, but is it even close to level 11 wizard or level 11 fighter?

"dual classing" can help with that if balanced somewhat correctly.

here is my variant:

at 11th level fighter/wizard would have class features of 7th level fighter and 7th level wizard(normal multiclass rules at 2nd level when you are fighter 1 + wizard 1)m with proficiency bonus of 11th level chracter(+4) and HPs of 6th level wizard and 5th level fighter.

so you get expected HPs and prof bonus as normal single class character with debate: if 11th level single class vs 7+7 dual class enough to balance extra low level class features.

 

[GrimCo]

I like multiclassing, very few of my 5e characters are single class.

5e classes are front loaded as hell. Most classes gain their best stuff first few levels. Also, it gives more versatility to characters. Sometimes, it's not just about creating best synergies and getting more powerful, but rather, having more tools in your toolkit. Since most campaigns end in that 8-12 level range, scaling isn't really that big of a deal and not all abilities scale with class level (or they scale but you don't miss that much, at least not in that level range). Biggest boon to multiclassing in 5e is cantrip scaling tied to character level and how caster levels are calculated.

 

[CreamCloud0]

if it had to exist i'd wish multiclassing was in it's own lane of progression rather than as part of your main character level, like, maybe hypothetically for every two levels your character gets of their straight progression they get to multiclass one extra level for some other class(stats providing), or gain an equivalent feat or boon, so, a level 4 fighter would have the option to have:
-2 extra levels in one class,
-1 extra level in two classes,
-1 extra level in once class and 1 boon/feat,
-2 boons/feats.
obviously this would increase the speed of power progression but that's something that can be managed around and accounted for.

 

[FrogReaver]

I love multiclassing in concept. I dislike 5e's implementation as it makes for weird dips and taking levels in a 2nd class way later than thematically appropriate and then continuing back in the main class and thus straining the overall thematics of the character.

4e Hybrid Classes were my favorite, but they didn't allow a change in career choice, which is a needed niche to design for IMO.

Like my Barbarian should be able to become a paladin if the Story drifts that way and it probably shouldnt be that every ability for him up to that point suddenly changes.

 

[jmartkdr2]

I love multiclassing in concept. I dislike 5e's implementation as it makes for weird dips and taking levels in a 2nd class way later than thematically appropriate and then continuing back in the main class and thus straining the overall thematics of the character.

4e Hybrid Classes were my favorite, but they didn't allow a change in career choice, which is a needed niche to design for IMO.

Like my Barbarian should be able to become a paladin if the Story drifts that way and it probably shouldnt be that every ability for him up to that point suddenly changes.

Indeed, 5e’s multiclassing rules work best for career changes, but those are the least popular reason in my experience.