Are multiclass spellcasters really a non-viable choice?

[Philip]

I see no conflict between flavor and mechanics there, and certainly nothing that undercuts anything I have said.

I am sorry I did not make my point clearer. I had the idea that you rejected alternate rules suggestions which raise caster level when multiclassing into another class for flavor reasons.

If you want to model a character concept that does not fit a single class, you multi-class.

The above is a rule-based argument (as are some others you used). Multi-class is a rule option to capture the flavor of your character. But if another rule fits the bill (such as some of the alternate rules proposed) I expected you to provide a flavor-based argument against it, because that was why you rejected the idea in the first place.

I merely tried to explain how you could see the alternate rules as appropriate when looking at it from a flavor-based standpoint.

 

[Silveras]

I am sorry I did not make my point clearer. I had the idea that you rejected alternate rules suggestions which raise caster level when multiclassing into another class for flavor reasons.

And that leads to your statement that I undercut myself how ?

The above is a rule-based argument (as are some others you used). Multi-class is a rule option to capture the flavor of your character. But if another rule fits the bill (such as some of the alternate rules proposed) I expected you to provide a flavor-based argument against it, because that was why you rejected the idea in the first place.

Well, see, when I play a game, I tend to try to follow the rules. I believe the rules and the flavor need to mesh, so I go back and forth, citing one to reinforce the other. If there is a conflict, I look for a solution that balances the needs of both; neither "trumps" the other.

I merely tried to explain how you could see the alternate rules as appropriate when looking at it from a flavor-based standpoint.

I do see them as appropriate ... for someone else's campaign. At no point did I say "don't do that". What I said was, I understand why the WotC designers chose not to make that part of 3.5 -- because it would be too disruptive of too many campaigns, and it would only fit the flavor of some of them.

 

[pawsplay]

There is nothing non-viable about the Elven Fighter 1/Wizard (Evoker) 3 I made recently. True Strike, Shield, Mage Armor, Mirror Image, and Scorching Ray are devastating. Fig 1/Wiz 5/EK X is a sturdy character for any kind of game. He has hit points, good weapon selection, versatility, and spells that go boom. He will gain 9th level spells when he hits 20th level.

There is also nothing non-viable about a Rogue/Cleric (Trickery, Destruction). Advance evenly, add levels in Assassin or Blackguard to taste.

 

[Voadam]

There is nothing non-viable about the Elven Fighter 1/Wizard (Evoker) 3 I made recently. True Strike, Shield, Mage Armor, Mirror Image, and Scorching Ray are devastating. Fig 1/Wiz 5/EK X is a sturdy character for any kind of game. He has hit points, good weapon selection, versatility, and spells that go boom. He will gain 9th level spells when he hits 20th level.

There is also nothing non-viable about a Rogue/Cleric (Trickery, Destruction). Advance evenly, add levels in Assassin or Blackguard to taste.

Your EK build is suboptimal for a front line fighter. He has less hit points than a cleric and if he wants to cast in armor he is limited to a small list of no somatic component spells, using still spell to effectively have the spells of a straight wizard four levels lower, or risk arcane failure. Alternately he can be a front liner in no armor with low hit points, perhaps on par with a rogue but no sneak attack or uncanny dodge abilities. He can make a pretty good archer/rayslinger or a suboptimal melee combatant. To be effective in front line he needs time to buff or a lot of long lasting spells (mine uses persistent spell when he can and 24 hour spells like energy buffer). A comparable level cleric will do about the same damage for spells (about two spell levels down), have a ton more spells, higher level protections, divinations, and buffs, more hit points, and no problems in heavy armor.

 

[pawsplay]

Your EK build is suboptimal for a front line fighter.

He's not designed as a front line fighter. He's primarily an artillery mage, who can melee in a pinch. And like I said, at 20th level, he'll get 9th level spells.