D&D 3E/3.5 3.5 - Multiclass XP penalty -20% yay or nay?

[Jon_Dahl]

One of my players has been asking me to allow his halfling barbarian 1/scout 6 to receive XP without penalty. I don't think it ruins his roleplaying experience but he brings it up from time to time.

How do you generally feel about XP-penalty?

I think it's great because I don't like level-dipping... Dipping a level here and there. And also I'm a huge human-fan, I prefer humans and I have a clear bias towards them whether I'm a player or the DM. Therefore I embrace multiclass penalty because of my hate for dipping and love for humans. The whole rule looks exactly my kind of D&D!

But what about you?

 

[Ahnehnois]

I think good design revolves around rewards rather than punishments.

If you really want to encourage single-classing, I'd go the PF route (small reward every time you take your favored class). Frankly, I don't think that's even necessary; I'm happy to just let people play whatever they can come up with.

I hate XP penalties and have never used and would never use the one for multiclassing.

 

[Sekhmet]

I do it by the book. Keeps people from dipping too much for "that one awesome ability", gives a reward to people who want to remain single classed.
It also makes more sense from a role play perspective. A jack of all trades is a master of none, so to speak.
Consider the Fighter/Wizard combination (for the most extreme example).

When a Fighter swings his sword, wades into combat, and gathers experience in that fashion, why should he gain experience towards his next Wizard level at the same rate? With 3.x, you just pick what class to advance as, without regard to what you actually did to achieve the level.

One of my old players wanted to try out the Arcane Archer. Never cast a single spell, but was a level 6 Wizard by the time she died. Makes no sense.

 

[messy]

penalizing a player for playing an unusual multiclass combination makes no sense to me. give the man his xp.

 

[Wyvernhand]

XP penalties are poorly executed in 3.5. Elves are supposed to be kinda naturey, right? But an elf Druid5/Ranger2 has an XP penalty despite the similarities between the classes. On the other side, a Dwarf Cleric2/Monk1/Wizard1/Fighter2/Rogue1/Ranger1/Druid2/Assassin10 does not. How is this justified.

If you don't want your players to level dip, say "Hey you, don't level dip." As written, XP penalties do absolutely nothing to restrict nonsensical builds while invalidating other, more normal builds.

 

[Light Knight]

If you are DM, you are running a game by choice..Typically.

Now you gotta ask yourself...Are you running the game, to provide your friends with entertainment.....Or too kill them and make them miserable?

I'd say the first one...that being said, unless something is just totally ridiculous and doesnt screw game balance for the rest of the players...let the players do what they want.

 

[the Jester]

He chose to take the level dip knowing the consequences. I'd enforce 'em.

Heck, I played a dwarven ranger up to about level 4, then added a fighter level, then started adding rogue levels. Until I was a 3rd level rogue, I sucked it up. It was a drag, but it was my choice, and I knew that going into it.

(After that, I added some fighter levels, got cursed a bunch and then added a custom prestige class- "Accursed"- to my selection of classes.)

 

[kitcik]

Let him pick 2 or 3 favored classes. Then he can do what what he wants without you fearing a dip-build.

 

[the Jester]

Let him pick 2 or 3 favored classes. Then he can do what what he wants without you fearing a dip-build.

Having multiple favored classes actually enables dip builds, especially when he gets to pick them.

OTOH allowing the "Additional Favored Class" feat (? maybe in Unearthed Arcana?) is a fair trade- spend a feat, avoid the penalty.

 

[Jon_Dahl]

I just made an agreement with the player that they will venture on a quest full of adventure, hack 'n slash or mystery to find an in-game solution to remove the penalty. I already promised this adventure but I just have to figure out the details, hmmm... Maybe a custom magic item: Boots of Mankind?
Don't let this stop the conversation though! I really want to hear how people feel about the penalty.