Implication of choosing powers from another class's list

[chitzk0i]

"... which is how (or at least one of the ways) you multiclass in 4e?"

I think it's pretty clear by now that class training is the only form of multiclassing in 4e. What verified it in my mind is Podcast #20 which all but confirms class training feats as the only form of multiclassing.

I for one hope there are some limits on it, if not the classes all sort of run together.

I remember a WOTC source saying that there was a "essence" of each class that could not be obtaind through multiclassing. It might have been Podcast #20. Compare that to Third Edition classes, where virtually every part of a class can be gained through multiclassing.

Also, I doubt that you can grab powers willy-nilly. There's probably some restriction along the lines of requiring at least one at-will power from a class before you can get their per-encounter powers.

 

[Cadfan]

I'm not surprised they changed it to "per encounter."

At will magic missiles really wouldn't be a problem. Its about equivalent to at will archery, except its probably even worse for many classes, since you'd need an implement to get the most out of it.

But some of the at will mobility powers might be a little more questionable. I don't know for sure, of course, but its a suspicion I have.

 

[Goobermunch]

It should be pointed out that for the purposes of balance I can see little difference between MM and a bow. But it may be that WotC agrees that it would be too powerful, since the updated Warlock has Ray of Frost as an encounter ability instead of an at will ability.

Was Ray of Frost at will for the wizard?

--G

 

[Intrope]

My personal guess is that the Half-Elf racial power allows you to get one power from a different class of the same power source; that'd keep down the Fighter/Magic Missile problem (and this fits our 1 data point).

 

[Li Shenron]

I think it will simply be possible to pick someone else's powers whenever you wanted to.

Maybe there will be some restrictions such as:

- a minimum score in the other class' primary attribute

- a maximum number of cross-class powers you can select

- a maximum number of other classes from which to select those powers

But it's also possible that there will be no restrictions at all.

 

[Sunglare]

It should be pointed out that for the purposes of balance I can see little difference between MM and a bow. But it may be that WotC agrees that it would be too powerful, since the updated Warlock has Ray of Frost as an encounter ability instead of an at will ability.

I just downloaded the Pregen characters yesterday and it still has Ray of Frost as an At Will ability. Unless there is another place offering up the pre-gen charaters besides the WotC website.

 

[small pumpkin man]

Was Ray of Frost at will for the wizard?

--G

It does less damage than most at will powers with a not particularly powerful debuff, I'd say yes.

 

[Iron Sky]

My personal guess is that the Half-Elf racial power allows you to get one power from a different class of the same power source; that'd keep down the Fighter/Magic Missile problem (and this fits our 1 data point).

^^^

 

[mneme]

Looks to me like like you can:

1. use class training to pick up large segments of another class.
2. Half elf racial ability to get a free power from another class (note that this is an -extra- at-will power; the half-elf warlock has the normal two warlock 1 at wills, 1 warlock encounter, and 1 warlock per-day power, PLUS a wizard power).
3. There seemed to be some implication in a blog or podcast that rather than gaining a new power in your current class, you could swap a power you already have for another power of a different class. This would allow some multiclassing without burning a feat on it.

 

[Gargazon]

On the character sheets I have it does say Ray of Frost is at-will, but it's under Encounter powers, so I assume that's what's more important.

I imagine the way this will work in 4th is that you take the Class Training feat to choose a power and it's 'demoted', so an at-will power becomes a per-encounter power, or a per-encounter power becomes a daily power. And Daily powers are... unobtainable?

That seems pretty balanced to me, while still giving you some 'flavour' of the class you chose.