Characters with NPC classes...

[Breakstone]

I was thinking of a character the other day (one of those I'll never play), and I came up with the idea of starting out as a Commoner (who happens to have adventure-worthy stats) who tags along with the party (but still holds his own) and multiclasses into whatever class is appropriate.

Do any of you have any experience with players playing the NPC classes? (Commoner, Aristocrat, Adept, Expert, Warrior)

 

[kenjib]

Hi Tsunami. I played a character that started as aristocrat 1. He was on the lamb after being involved in a sticky situation. I multiclassed into fighter at 2nd level and went the finesse route. The extra skill points (and class skills) from aristocrat and a decent int score made for a more rounded out character who could handle himself better outside of combat as well as in. I thought it was fun. The only thing I lost was +1BaB and 2 hit points. Not all too big of a deal, but still a minor inconvenience.

I think it's fun for roleplay and adds another dimension to a character. If you take commoner I think you will notice that your more focused companions will be a bit more powerful than you but if it doesn't bother anyone, especially you, then it can be fun.

 

[kenjib]

Oh - I almost forgot. There was one "gotcha." I wanted to multiclass into rogue so I could be a finessed fighter/rogue type character. This is where I ran into a couple of problems.

1. Level 1 Rogue has +0 BaB. Level 1 Aristocrat has +0 BaB. Because of this, I kind of got hit twice by this, which was a bit much.

2. The XP penalty. I was human. I had 1 level in aristocrat. This meant that either fighter or rogue could not be raised above 2nd level or I would get an XP penalty. If you plan on taking more than one class after commoner talk with your DM and see if he will be lenient and allow you to ignore the level of commoner for XP penalty purposes, since you are taking it for character development and not power.

 

[Ace32]

Have Commoner be your favored class, then you can raise fighter + rogue without worrying about Commoner

 

[nsruf]

Have Commoner be your favored class, then you can raise fighter + rogue without worrying about Commoner

By the book, that is not possible, as favorite class "any" always refers to your highest. But I think it would be fair to not count NPC classes w.r.t. XP penalty.

 

[Gez]

I have a character who's Aristocrat/Sorcerer. I plan on keeping her multiclassed this way, ultimately becoming Ari 10/Sor 10 if she ever reaches level 20.

However, the Aristocrat class had been a bit tweaked to be as powerful as a PC class. That is, it received some bonus feats (less in number and in choice than a fighter) and a "bolstering speach" capacity akin to bardic music, but somewhat weaker (last less time).

 

[Tonguez]

I always have my PCs with a level of NPC in their somewhere.

NPC classes count as -1 ECL (as per) and since I don't use favoured class penalties thats not an issue for me (and I don't think they should be countered even if your DM does follow it)

Anyway I make it mandotory if we have a level 3 start that the first two levels are NPC classes and if we have a level 1 start I count the NPC class as -1.

RP wise the NPC class allows the character to build a real background for the character explaining why the Aristocrat son of Sir Gaulpok is now an adeventurer or why your scorcerer has ranks in craft tailor

 

[hong]

By the book, that is not possible, as favorite class "any" always refers to your highest. But I think it would be fair to not count NPC classes w.r.t. XP penalty.

Ah yes, sort of like prestige classes. I have visions of Joe, puissant 6th level expert/14th level commoner of Bobtown, with his +5 pitchfork of mighty cleaving.

Now my head's all screwed up. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Breakstone]

In a campaign that lasted one adventure, I played an aristocrat/sorcerer. I thouhgt it'd be a bad character until I found out that aristocrats are proficient in all weapons and armor...

Hello True Strike and Longbow!

 

[Reaver]

Our group started a new campaign in october 2000, right before the monster manual came out. I started with a 1/1 expert/cleric, with expert as the 1st level. He is now a 4/5/1 expert/cleric/dwarven smith(DM's PrC). I wanted to build a smith who would later create magic items. I felt it would have been cheap to go with rogue cause thats not what the guy is. If the class fits your character concept, I say deal with any shortcomings system wise and give it a try.

Reaver