Best level combinations for min-max?

[Ace]

Re: My Theory

Barbarian: You said it, 2 levels is the best. Fast Movement, Uncanny Dodge, and Rage 1/day, not to mention a boss hit die, good skills and good BAB. This is one of the best classes to take at 1st level, automatic 12 hp and good skill points, only problem is learning how to read later.

Fighter: 1,2, or 4 levels. It really doesnt matter what class or archtype you want to be, you can satisfy all of your "fighter-ness" with that. Since you shouldnt take more than 4 (unless you love feats, and love them early) dont take the fighter class at 1st level, there are better options.

Ranger: 1 or 5 levels. I usually try to get 5 levels because I like the flavor of favored enemies even if it isnt very powerful, you also have a spell or 2 by then, and a decent animal companion (2.5 D). Makes for a decent 1st level, good skill points, hp, and a favored enemy to boot.

Paladin: 1 level. I never play paladins because it restricts me too much. Sad but true. I dream of playing paladins, but it would be a royal pain to put up with the code. Paladins are for some people, just not me. Makes for a good 1st level, good skill points, hp, and various powers.

Bard: 2 levels. As someone said, as soon as you get perform only ranks matter for the songs. The second level is for light spells and the BAB, saves, etc. I dont play bards much either, but I had a Bardbarian once Isnt a very good 1st level char, hp are too small for the amount of skill points.

Rogue: Tough one. Ive dipped for 1 level then gone straight monk. Most often Ive dipped for 3 levels, most of the goodies and 2d6 sneak. I think optimum is probably 5, 6, or 7. 5 if you intend to get more uncanny dodge through a prc later, 6 if you want to not be flanked, 7 if you think 6 is just too close to another sneak die. Of course if youve gone 7 you might as well go for 10, get the special ability. This is a great class for 1st level, tons of skill points, low hp.

Monk: Another tough one. Its abilities are so spread that its hard to pinpoint a good level for stopping, especially if you use OA's optional rule that you can trade out Stunning Fist, Deflect Arrows, and Improved Trip for a different "martial arts" feat. In that case, always at least 2 levels, sometimes 6 or 7 (you get a light healing ability). At that point its best to grab a prc that continues monk abilities. Makes for a great first level, decent hp, good skills.

Druid: Really hard to dip in and out. 5 levels is good for 3rd level spells and a wilshape use, with some cool nature abilities to boot. The restrictions also make it a poor multiclass choice.

Cleric: Good for dipping 1 or 3 levels, based on 1st or 2nd level spells. Going for 1 level is better, you get 2 domains (almost 2 feats worth of power), 1st level spell, good armor prof. Not that great to take at 1st level, poor skill points and decent hp.

Wizard: If I multiclass wizard its always 1 or 5. 1 gets you a weak familiar, the ability to scribe scrolls, 1st level spells, and thats about it. 5 levels and youve got 3rd level spells which have some of the best buffs, and an extra metamagic feat. You arent going to have many spells, so always specialize. Makes for one of the worst 1st level choices, as the hp are terrible as are the skill points.

Sorceror: I only see it worthwhile to dip in for 1 level. It takes 4 levels to get 2nd level spells, way too long for a multiclass char to be using level 1 spells. Imagine Lvl 4 Ftr, Lvl 3 Sorc. Youre 7th level but still slinging level 1 spells? Peh. You get the familiar like the wizard, but without the feat. Its a great class to ride all the way, but for multis its 1 or none. About as bad at 1st level as Wizard.

Granted, all of these comments assume you are not just going straight-classed, and they are all from my min/max side of the brain. I usually like classes with more skill points at 1st level because I enjoy taking loopy skills and find that I can't when I only get 2+int at 1st level. As far as hp, well we all like to live to 2nd, preferably without taking Toughness. I have played a multi-class wizard/rogue who took the first 3 wizard levels first, he had hide and move silently as cross-class skills and found himself using the skills almost as often as his magic, hence the mutliclassing.

Technik

I pretty much agree with you choices. The multi class combos I like are

Ranger 1/Anything else-- Rogue is most popular but I did it with cleric (it fit the character)

Barbarian 1 or 2. You don't need 2 levels if your dex bonus is +1 or left IME. I did 2 levels off this for my Bard. Worked Great. It also is a must with fighters. 1 level is IMO ni mandatory for optimized characters. You get 2 HP, better listen, Better firt save, rage boost and (if you have magic armor) your main weakness is dispatched with (Speed _+10)

Rogue3 with whatever... If you aren't a spell caster Rog3 is simply sweet! Yes you lose a few HP but you get stealth, good senses, Evasion and more. You only lose 1 Bab too....

I don't dip with spell casters or monks though, it would bug the DM