How terrible is the multiclass XP penalty?

[NimrodvanHall]

I have to sto that the multy class penalty is there not for balance issues, but that it is a holdover from the 2nd edition multiclass rules, where some races could level in some specific class combinations simultaniously (elf fighter/mage elf thief/mage dwarf fighter/cleric)

we always read that your favoured class did not change, because it is:
1 not named as one of the things that change,
2 it does not state that you gain/lose things like the human bunus skill points, or the elven weapon proficiencies.

 

[apesamongus]

I disagree. The player took a calculated risk and it didn't pay off, so now he should pay the piper. Taking a risk, failing, and then having the DM wave away the downside is what would be not fun.

You're acting like it was a gamble where he was itching for some big payoff, but it wasn't. It's not a gamble is the only options are "break even or lose".

 

[Len]

You're acting like it was a gamble where he was itching for some big payoff, but it wasn't. It's not a gamble is the only options are "break even or lose".

The "payoff" would have been me surviving and the ettin dying. Yes, it was a gamble. There were dice involved. But I certainly didn't try to get killed so I'd be reincarnated as a "stronger" race! And I didn't gamble that if I refused the reincarnation my companions would give in and buy me a raise dead. I was given to understand that wouldn't be possible.

I have to sto that the multy class penalty is there not for balance issues, but that it is a holdover from the 2nd edition multiclass rules, where some races could level in some specific class combinations simultaniously (elf fighter/mage elf thief/mage dwarf fighter/cleric)

I agree. I don't like this way of imposing a penalty for roleplaying choices that go against a certain stereotype, especially in a setting that changes the stereotypes. (See reveal's previous comment.)

So in my game, if there ever is one, there will be no favored class or XP penalty. But that's beside the point.

 

[cmanos]

As a DM I would state that you are still a human at heard and soul. The mul;ticlass restrictiopns ar emore of a cultural thing. You weren't raised halflling so you are really a human in a halfling body.

 

[TheGM]

The "payoff" would have been me surviving and the ettin dying. Yes, it was a gamble. There were dice involved. But I certainly didn't try to get killed so I'd be reincarnated as a "stronger" race! And I didn't gamble that if I refused the reincarnation my companions would give in and buy me a raise dead. I was given to understand that wouldn't be possible.


I agree. I don't like this way of imposing a penalty for roleplaying choices that go against a certain stereotype, especially in a setting that changes the stereotypes. (See reveal's previous comment.)

So in my game, if there ever is one, there will be no favored class or XP penalty. But that's beside the point.

I think they were saying that multiclassing is a gamble.

I actually like the multi-classing rules in 3.5, but as you say, that's beside the point.

With all of that said, I would add my agreement that I would think long and hard before I allowed your favored class to "just suddenly change", same issue I have with games where you "just suddenly gain a new class", I don't need realism in my RPG, but I do need believability. Or at least an excuse to suspend my disbelief. I think "favored class is a mental stat" is misworded, but it is a societal issue, not tied to the body you're currently in.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

I think they were saying that multiclassing is a gamble.

No, I'm pretty sure that Infiniti was referring to the Reincarnation spell.

For some reason, he's decided that the character took Reincarnation over Raise Dead (which has been subsequently mentioned as "unavailable") in the hopes that he would "upgrade" from his current race (into something like a lizardman, for instance, for better stat mods, natural armor, and natural attacks).

I'm almost absolutely certain that this isn't the case.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Close. The gamble is that used reincarnation because you can't afford raise dead. Reincarnation is a gamble. You could end up with a stronger race or you could end up with a weaker race. You hope for at least an even ECL. In a multiclass scenario, it's even more of a gamble. If you didn't recognize that part of the gamble to being with, then I would argue it with the DM, saying that if you knew you would be penalized a huge amount (20% is large as evidenced by the responses here) in a majority of the cases then you wouldn't accept the reincarnation.

By no means am I trying to allude to you trying anything underhanded. I'm only saying that either you were misinformed about the potential outcomes or that you were gambling on them and it didn't pay off. If you were not misinformed, which from what I understand it doesn't seem like you were, then you just gotta suck it up and deal with it.

But, if raise dead just isn't available, then the DM's houserule should have been considered when you first decided to multiclass. I don't think it's not available, it's just expensive.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Close. The gamble is that used reincarnation because you can't afford raise dead.

I don't think it's a matter of "Can't Afford" so much as "Completely Unavailable," based on what's been psoted here.

 

[seans23]

But, if raise dead just isn't available, then the DM's houserule should have been considered when you first decided to multiclass. I don't think it's not available, it's just expensive.

emphasis on houserule, because there's nothing RAW that says you lose your favored class when reincarnated. Did the DM explicitly explain this beforehand?

 

[Thanee]

Favored class also doesn't change, if you polymorph.

Bye
Thanee