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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silveras" data-source="post: 1232050" data-attributes="member: 6271">Actually, this was discussed extensively on the WotC message boards as 3.5 was coming out. The designers weighed in to say that it *is* a problem, and they are aware of it, but fixing it would have been too big a change for 3.5. The best they could do was add the Mystic Theurge, Eldritch Warrior, and Arcane Trickster Prestige Classes to give multi-classed characters a "path" that developed the core of both sets of abilities. Other players also discussed allowing caster levels to stack for purposes of penetrating SR and/or the overall effectiveness of the spells. There was no consensus reached before I lost track of the discussion, although there may have been after. The problem is that many, many facets of spellcasting are wrapped up into one thing. BAB is just how likely you hit; it is not also a governor on how big a weapon you can wield or how much damage the weapon does. Caster level, on the other hand, governs how effective the spell is AND how potent a spell you can throw AND how likely it is to effect a creature (both through penetrating SR and through higher save DCs for higher level spells). Don't forget also that some spells require caster level checks to be effective in other ways -- dispel magic, for example, and remove curse used against some (esp. 3rd party) curses. Multi-classing remains fun; I do it frequently, despite knowing that I am sacrificing some spell power in doing so. But it also depends A LOT on the campaign. Also, characters who are "mostly" non-spellcasters who pick up a level or two of spellcaster are MUCH more viable than spellcasters who pick up a level or two of non-spellcaster. A rogue with a few spells is a lot more effective than a wizard who can occasionally sneak attack for +1d6 (or +2d6). Why ? Because the wizard levels still give the mostly-Rogue more BAB, saves, and skill points (which are the Rogue's "core competencies"), while the Rogue levels add nothing to the mostly-wizard's "core competency", spellcasting. The mostly-wizard still gets SOMETHING, obviously, as s/he gets BAB, Saves, Skill Points, evasion, sneak attack, and perhaps more if s/he takes more levels. However, the bonuses the mostly-Wizard gets are not ones that fit into the character's role - spellcasting.</blockquote>

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