D&D (2024) How should multiclassing be implemented for ODnD?

[cbwjm]

Yeah, PF2e multiclassing and subclasses look great, though I haven't played them. One thing that struck me about them when I first saw them was how well the subclasses let you express different concepts or themes. And, if your concept doesn't work with the existing options (want an Artorias-like armoured fighter with a wolf companion?), you can pinch a feat from another class for a small cost.

Another cool thing about the PF2e system, is that you can add archetypes right at the start to fit a theme. I was looking at an adventure (path?) outline where everyone has some mystic ability so they grant bonus feats to fit the theme. In this case everyone starts with either the druid or wizard archetype. You could do the same with something like the pirate archetype or maybe everyone is working as a watchmen solving crimes so they all get the Investigator achetype. It's a cool system.

Since OneDnD needs to be backwards compatible, I doubt that there will be any major revision to multiclassing. Perhaps extra attack from the base class will stack like spell slots allowing for a FIghter 2/barbarian 3 to have extra attack. I'm not sure what else would work like that though.

 

[Lojaan]

A selection of multiclass feats would be best. I hate the way a metagame one level dip into a class can get you so much more power than actually going up a level. Just encourages cheese.

 

[Horwath]

While I do have some criticisms for this idea, it does improve the even split multi without needing any additional design work. So on a work vs. result basis, it's a solid idea. My largest problem with the idea is that it wouldn't fix the big underlining issue with 5.0's multi-classing. That being most class level combinations are very underpowered, while a select few are overpowered, with basically no in between. I do think you pushed the level split about as far as you could, any farther and you'd start having more overpowered options than underpowered ones. It also feels a little homebrewy, a little hacked together. Not something I could see being in an official book.

Well, I wanted to have dual levels on levels 5,11,17 and 20.
so you get power boost at new tier of play as single classes get, and also at level 20 instead of capstone ability. then, levels 8&14 just fell at halfway mark between 5 to 11 and 11 to 17 perfectly.

also if we use exp table and buy class levels for exp separately(even if we use 2nd class as one level higher as it would be very dumb to buy 1st level of a 2nd class for zero XP) we would get surplus of XP

3rd level 1st class: 900XP
3rd level 2nd class(with +1 level adjustment): 2700 XP
total: 3600XP
XP needed for 5th level of a single class: 6500XP

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

Or do you think that multiclassing needs to be removed completely?

Yep. Bathwater and the baby too. I've never found multiclassing mechanics very satisfactory in ANY edition. If you want a new class - make a new class. Stop trying to Frankenstein them together, like crashing two trains into each other hoping that the resulting catastrophe will actually create a nice 4-door luxury sedan, or an airplane.

 

[Clint_L]

They aren't getting rid of multi-classing and everything has to be backwards compatible. So, within those parameters are there any improvements to suggest? I think the current system works pretty well, probably the best it ever has.

 

[Yaarel]

Yep. Bathwater and the baby too. I've never found multiclassing mechanics very satisfactory in ANY edition. If you want a new class - make a new class. Stop trying to Frankenstein them together, like crashing two trains into each other hoping that the resulting catastrophe will actually create a nice 4-door luxury sedan, or an airplane.

It is a design choice that is a matter of taste, between lumpers and splitters. Lumpers need to have many classes, each one finetuned for a specific character concept. Splitters need to have many discrete options to use them like Lego bricks to construct different kinds of concepts.

5e is somewhere in the middle, where each base class is a lump, but the choice of archetype, skills, feats, and now backgrounds are splits that can customize different concepts.

 

[Horwath]

Yep. Bathwater and the baby too. I've never found multiclassing mechanics very satisfactory in ANY edition. If you want a new class - make a new class. Stop trying to Frankenstein them together, like crashing two trains into each other hoping that the resulting catastrophe will actually create a nice 4-door luxury sedan, or an airplane.

to me best way would be that you can just pick spell level rate progression when creating a character, tied with HD.

d12, non caster. can gain sub-class that gives new spell levels every 5 class levels,
1st level spells at level 2,
2nd level spells at level 5,
3rd level spells at level 10,
4th level spells at level 15
5th level spells at level 20

d10, half-caster, new spell levels every 4 levels
1st level spells at level 2,
2nd level spells at level 4,
3rd level spells at level 8,
4th level spells at level 12,
5th level spells at level 16,
6th level spells at level 20,

d8, 2/3 caster, new spell level every 3 levels
1st level spells at level 1,
2nd level spells at level 3,
3rd level spells at level 6,
4th level spells at level 9,
5th level spells at level 12,
6th level spells at level 15,
7th level spells at level 18,

d6, full caster, new spell levels every 2 levels
1st level spells at level 1,
2nd level spells at level 2,
3rd level spells at level 4,
4th level spells at level 6,
5th level spells at level 8,
6th level spells at level 10,
7th level spells at level 12,
8th level spells at level 14,
9th level spells at level 16,
10th level spells at level 18,


then just make all abilities at half feat and full feat power levels.

every level you gain a feat or two feats sometimes, you either take;
a feat,
+2 to any ability(max 20)
+1 to two abilities
+1 to ability and a half-feat
two half feats

make several classes in PHB with this rule as example or guide how to make a class.
or as default classes for new players to introduce them to the game.