CR Adjustment for Multiclass characters

[Creamsteak]

Is there an official CR Adjustment for Multiclass characters? Do you adjust CR for Multiclass characters?

I'm specifically concerned about spellcasters, such as a 6 Wizard/4 Sorcerer. If you add the levels, that is CR 10, but I suspect that it would be more accurate to term the character as (Highest Class)+(1/2 Lowest Class) = CR 8. This is my suspicion also based on the encounter level reduction for an opponent that is "half as difficult." Also, don't count levels of two or less against a class, as a barbarian 2/Fighter X will always be very close to a fighter X+2, and such...

If you pay attention to specifics, 10th level characters can cast 5th level spells, normally. However, a 4/6 mix can cast 3rd level spells at best (and only 6d6 for fireball/lightning bolt damage if you were going for direct damage).

 

[Crothian]

Ya, but he still has 10 levels worth of HD, saves, skills, feats, and all the other class abilities. Spells, he has less high end stuff, but much more low end stuff. I think the CR of this guy should be ten.

 

[Creamsteak]

Your the worlds fastest poster EVER. I was reviewing the post and you had already posted.

Anyway, for a precise comparison (INT 17, CHA 14)

Spells per Day
0 Level 6+4+1
1st Level 7+4+1
2nd Level 4+4+1
3rd Level 3+1

 

[Spatzimaus]

This one's been beaten to death a few times, so I'll summarize. Most of these are my opinions, of course.

Bottom line: CRs for multiclassers shouldn't be changed. The system works just fine as is. There are only a few specific situations where the system fails, and those situations can be consciously avoided.

1> Pure spellcasters aren't hurt that badly by lightly multiclassing. A Cleric 13/Barbarian 1 has a bit less firepower than a Cleric 14, but he might be MUCH more survivable, especially at low level. I've seen a disturbing number of Wizards take two levels of Rogue for the skills and Evasion. Is it worth delaying the good spells by one rank?

2> Spellcasting classes also work well for lopsided multiclassing the other way; a Fighter 12/Wizard 2 is still primarily a fighter, he just now has access to bunch of neat special abilities (like True Strike!) and can use scrolls and stuff. Then there are the cool PrCs you can get into that way.

3> Melee classes aren't really hurt at all by multiclassing with other non-spellcasting classes. I should introduce you to "Tattoo", my NPC Halfling Barbarian/Bard/Fighter/Ranger/Rogue/Psychic Warrior/Assassin/Blackguard/Shadowdancer. No more than 2 levels in any class, but he's tremendous in combat, and that's only using core stuff! (well, to me PsiHB is core). The fact that he's a Weretiger helps a bit too.

4> The ONLY situation where multiclassing really seems to hurt is if you try to evenly split "incompatible" classes. A Cleric 5/Wizard 5 will be seriously outclassed by a straight Cleric or a straight Wizard. Wizard/Sorcerer is even worse.
As long as no one tries making one of the characters in that last category, the system works just fine.

 

[Creamsteak]

Well this character falls into the latter. Sorcerer 4/Wizard 6, which is nearly an even split...

 

[DreamChaser]

Well this character falls into the latter. Sorcerer 4/Wizard 6, which is nearly an even split...

which means that the player chose low power versatility for more powerful focus. There are still advantages and disadvantages. The place this character hurts is that it is 2 different arcane classes which means one can't really be used to suppliment the other (like a sorcerer fighter can use buffing spells, a sorcerer thief invisibility, etc). These wiz/sor can't suppliment the other's abilities so they really just come off less powerful. The same would be true for a cleric/druid.

DC

 

[Crothian]

I even think a cleric5/wizard 5 is a fine character. Again you give high power for versatility. You have the attack power of the wizard and the healing power of a cleric. This character can take huge advantage of the craft feats since he has access to the two best spell lists. With the right scrolls and wands this character would be amazing.

 

[Spatzimaus]

It sounds like the player just made a really bad decision and picked one of the few cases where multiclassing really hurts. You shouldn't give him extra credit for this, IMHO, by changing the system.

Now, I'm not advocating punishing players for stupid decisions made back when they were just starting the game; everyone makes bad choices at times. Punishing them for stupid decisions made today is a completely different thing.
To be fair to him, you should probably let him switch to a straight Wiz 10 (Sor 10 would be an option too, but it'd require him to "forget" too many spells). If he doesn't want to take you up on that, then it's his loss.

 

[Kamard]

should introduce you to "Tattoo", my NPC Halfling Barbarian/Bard/Fighter/Ranger/Rogue/Psychic Warrior/Assassin/Blackguard/Shadowdancer. No more than 2 levels in any class, but he's tremendous in combat, and that's only using core stuff! (well, to me PsiHB is core). The fact that he's a Weretiger helps a bit too.

*an audible snap is heard as Kamard's sanity is forever broken.*

That said, I made a Shaman/Cleric/Contemplative/Some other prestige class. I forget what that other prestige class was. His focus was on getting as many domains and doman powers as I possibly could. The mix wound up giving him seven.