D&D 5E (2024) House Rule: Feats/ABIs are gained at certain character levels for multiclass characters

[Distracted DM]

Multi-class characters are already potentially much stronger than single-class characters (in the hands of a min-maxxer, anyway), and this makes them stronger still, so it basically discourages single class characters. Which is fine if that's the intent. If you're really into multi-class characters and aren't bothered by the power creep, then it's a good change.

Yeah this has been an idea that my more power-minded players have brought to me before, but I dismissed it ultimately because they're just looking to get rid of one of the few drawbacks of MCing.
I can't imagine this would be a GM's idea unless they were looking to encourage MCing.

Edit: I'll say that if a player was trying to figure out a way to make a suboptimal character work, and they didn't want to be a detriment to the party but thought that for some reason this multi class made sense for the character, might consider this avenue- but there would likely be a lot of other questions and methods to consider first.

 

[Horwath]

this would help even more the cheese dips of 1 or 2 levels and not help even split classes, that MC should work, by much.

personally, I have only dual class MC system that you must buy in by 3rd level, when you can get 1st level in your second class and then you have accelerated advancement of both classes.

you gain extra class level at levels 5,8,11,14,17 and 20. but only one set of HP, HDs and proficiency bonus, as in this table:

5th level MC character has 3 levels in both classes, but at 5th level you gain HP and HD from lower HD from the two, at 8th level you gain higher HPs and HD, and so on.

 

[Distracted DM]

this would help even more the cheese dips of 1 or 2 levels and not help even split classes, that MC should work, by much.

personally, I have only dual class MC system that you must buy in by 3rd level, when you can get 1st level in your second class and then you have accelerated advancement of both classes.

you gain extra class level at levels 5,8,11,14,17 and 20. but only one set of HP, HDs and proficiency bonus, as in this table:

View attachment 445802

5th level MC character has 3 levels in both classes, but at 5th level you gain HP and HD from lower HD from the two, at 8th level you gain higher HPs and HD, and so on.

I've offered this path to players before; I very much appreciate the thought that went into designing it, Horwath. Only a couple players used it though and those characters didn't go the distance for unrelated reasons.

I still like it, I'd probably offer it as the sole MC option if I started things over.

 

[Dessert Nomad]

I really don't think it makes multi class characters better than single level. They're still losing out on higher level spells and get many other features delayed.

If it made the whole set of multiclass character better than single class characters, it would have to be an absolutely huge power boost, because a ton of multiclass options are just terrible while 5/5.5 is set up so that 'single class with OK stat allocation and OK character choices" produces a pretty solid character. There are 13 single class options, while the set of all multiclass characters includes a vast number of options, most of which people won't actually use - just the Abserd build (1 level in each class) has 13 variants depending on which one is taken at level 1, and more for all of the possibilities of what classes to take at level 14+, even though it's something only done as a gimmick.

"This doesn't make really bad multiclass builds better than simple single class builds" is absolutely not a good argument for a rules change.

 

[CreamCloud0]

what does the B in ABI stand for? (presuming that the other two still stand for Ability and Increase?)

 

[Blue]

This is one of the balance points of multiclassing. Unless you feel that the strongest multiclasses are weaker than single classes, I wouldn't do a across the board buff for multiclass like this.

 

[Milieu]

I don't think there's anything wrong with it. The way it works now is (IMO) more about preventing "dead" levels than a serious balancing mechanic.

Unless you're doing a ridiculous build, it really doesn't amount to much. At certain levels, characters will have 1 more feat than they would otherwise. (Or sometimes 2, like in the case of a 6/6 character.) And frankly, I think the 1- or 2-level min-maxer dip should be banned anyway. And most of the multi-class builds that aren't already broken need more help than this.

 

[Horwath]

when we wanted more versatile(powerful) characters, we add a number of bonus feats equal to proficiency bonus. But WITHOUT ASIs attached to that feat.
that is based on character level. But that gives more versatility to PCs so careful with that. but after 2 o 3 feats you go into diminishing returns on power, so it gives lots of creative space for "C-tier" feats that otherwise would never appear on any character.

and it also helps in mechanical description of your vision of character; getting Heavy armor master and Shield master from level 1 gets you into that sword&board tank from the start and not waiting for 8 levels(6 for a fighter).

 

[BigMac75]

I generally agree with the people who point out that less feats is the cost of doing a multi-class character.

However, on the other hand you would not get 2x Epic Boons which balances things somewhat.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I generally agree with the people who point out that less feats is the cost of doing a multi-class character.

However, on the other hand you would not get 2x Epic Boons which is a bit of a downside.

It's part of my intention with those house rules to remove 2x Epic Boons with a pure character level based progression