D&D 5E Confusion About Spells and Multicasting

[Rossbert]

This may have already been addressed but it just came up for me with someone multi classing two full caster classes.

Several classes state something like "at each level you can one new spell known (or two to your spellbook, or whatever) these spells must be from a level you can cast.

So if for instance one was a sorcerer 1 / wizard 1 and added a second level of wizard, could they choose to add 2nd level spells since they have 2nd level slots?

 

[Shiroiken]

When selecting spells, either for spells known or prepared, you consider ONLY the levels in the class. Thus, Wizard 1/Sorcerer will prepare 1+Int Mod Wizard spells, and know 4 cantrips and 2 1st level spells. When you take a level of Wizard, you can only pick a spell that you could prepare, so a Wizard 2/Sorcerer 1 could not pick a 2nd level spell, even though they will have 2nd level spell slots.

In general, the advantage of multi-classing full casters is that you will normally have a large variety of spells to choose from, but you won't have access to higher level spells. The biggest exception to this is Wizard/Sorcerer, which have a major overlap of spells on their class list.

 

[Rossbert]

Makes sense enough, just means extra table consulting.

 

[CapnZapp]

Multicasting

What is multicasting? Do you mean multiclassing?

 

[CapnZapp]

When selecting spells, either for spells known or prepared, you consider ONLY the levels in the class.

In other words, Shiroiken's answer is "no".

Thus, Wizard 1/Sorcerer will prepare 1+Int Mod Wizard spells, and know 4 cantrips and 2 1st level spells. When you take a level of Wizard, you can only pick a spell that you could prepare, so a Wizard 2/Sorcerer 1 could not pick a 2nd level spell, even though they will have 2nd level spell slots.

In general, the advantage of multi-classing full casters is that you will normally have a large variety of spells to choose from, but you won't have access to higher level spells. The biggest exception to this is Wizard/Sorcerer, which have a major overlap of spells on their class list.

Yes, you'd be much better served (assuming you prioritize the greatest selection of spells) by combining Wizard with, say, Cleric.

 

[Rossbert]

This particular character is actually after extra skills, and maybe Vicious Mockery. It makes sense in context.