How terrible is the multiclass XP penalty?

[Len]

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

There's nothing that says your height changes either. But I'm pretty sure that it's supposed to.

The problem is, there's a list of things that do and don't change, but the list is not exhaustive. Hence all the guesswork and assumptions.

 

[TheGM]

Yea, I'd almost go so far as to say it ENcourages people taking front loaded base classes. You can take one or two levels each of several classes with no penalty. But if you want to take four levels of ONE class (Edit: in addition to your "main" class) you're in for a penalty.

True, but in order to get powerful in any of those classes you have to go up in all of them. In short it's a "there is a price to not being a specialist", which is true in RL also - the old "jack of all trades, master of none" theory, but with D20 games you get a "gimme" based upon your race.

I understand their reasoning with Favored Class, but I'd prefer to have the penalty always apply. I'm wierd like that.

 

[seans23]

There's nothing that says your height changes either. But I'm pretty sure that it's supposed to.

Height is a physical trait. Physical traits change. Mental traits do not.

 

[Len]

Height is a physical trait. Physical traits change. Mental traits do not.

So if that's "RAW" then where's it written in the rules?

 

[Infiniti2000]

It says, "...you bring back a dead creature in another body..." I'm not sure it could be any clearer that your physical attributes change.

 

[Len]

It says, "...you bring back a dead creature in another body..." I'm not sure it could be any clearer that your physical attributes change.

So how do you figure that height changes but favoured class doesn't? I agree that by "common sense" things related to the person's mind or personality or soul shouldn't change, but where oh where is that stated in the rules? Nowhere, as far as anyone can see.

 

[Infiniti2000]

For the record, I said nothing about favored class. I was only responding to the physical aspects of the body. I agree that the spell is quite ambiguous with regards to favored class and other 'learned' racial abilities (like fighting giants, etc.). To that end, I think a few houserules need to be set up.


However, can you clarify whether you mean that raise dead is just too expensive or that the DM houseruled it doesn't exist? This is an important point.

 

[Len]

However, can you clarify whether you mean that raise dead is just too expensive or that the DM houseruled it doesn't exist? This is an important point.

High level clerical spells like Raise Dead are difficult to come by in Eberron. Our cleric can't cast it, we're far away from anyone who can, and temples don't generally sell spells. The choice came down to reincarnation or death.

 

[rgard]

In the long run it is probably better to die again soon and lose your remaining fighter level (if your DM will let you choose which class to lose that is).

Reincarnate: the only bring them back from the dead spell that will make your friends hate you.

Too funny. Back in our 1E days, it was always a race to see who would bring back the dead PC...the Cleric, Druid or Magic User.

My Magic User always had several re-incarnate spells on scrolls ready at hand. "Gee Mr. Cleric...no more 5th level spells until tomorrow? Don't worry Andy...my MU will bring your character back from the dead."

My favorite was the human paladin returning as a troll, but he was a damned good looking troll.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[seans23]

So how do you figure that height changes but favoured class doesn't? I agree that by "common sense" things related to the person's mind or personality or soul shouldn't change, but where oh where is that stated in the rules? Nowhere, as far as anyone can see.

Well I guess this does require a little bit of common sense. Since the RAW says the soul gets a new body, and that strength, dexterity, and constitution may change (but not other abilities), and since it says

It retains any class abilities, feats, or skill ranks it formerly possessed. Its class, base attack bonus, base save bonuses, and hit points are unchanged

, the natural conclusion is that anything related to the body changes, and anything related to the soul does not.

Because the body is new, the height is new. So is the eye color, hair color, body hair, etc. It's a new body. RAW doesn't say so, but it's pretty obvious.

Because the person was raised as a human was taught by his mommy that he could be anything he wanted if he put his mind into it, and his mind doesn't change, he still has favored class: any.