Most power in a game: Multiclassing?
- Thread starter Emirikol
- Start date
It usually depends on the situation. There are certain classes that many people take on level in just for some fast perks. Rogue is one of them, getting that +1D6 whenever your flanking is pretty nice. Barb is a good one for the movement alone. But as with any class related power question there really is no set answer. Just go with what you like.
Maitre Du Donjon
First Post
Usually, multi-classing spellcasters will be at a disadvantage.
For other types, it depends on what kind of high-level power / skills you'll be sacrificing when you'll multi-class (come to think of it, its exactly why multi-classing spellcasters will generally be weaker, because high-level spells can become very powerful).
For classes that don't really offer high-level stuff (ie the ranger) it might be very appealing to multiclass in them just to get the goodies they confer at 1st level. For example, a rogue X/ranger 1 probably is more powerful than a rogue X/fighter 1, but i couldn't really tell if rogue X+1 if more powerful than the rogue X/otherclass 1...
Note that there are very powerful multiclassing combos, like there are really, really weak ones...
Maitre D
For other types, it depends on what kind of high-level power / skills you'll be sacrificing when you'll multi-class (come to think of it, its exactly why multi-classing spellcasters will generally be weaker, because high-level spells can become very powerful).
For classes that don't really offer high-level stuff (ie the ranger) it might be very appealing to multiclass in them just to get the goodies they confer at 1st level. For example, a rogue X/ranger 1 probably is more powerful than a rogue X/fighter 1, but i couldn't really tell if rogue X+1 if more powerful than the rogue X/otherclass 1...
Note that there are very powerful multiclassing combos, like there are really, really weak ones...
Maitre D
Particle_Man
Explorer
I'd say the straight fighter is better. The extra feat and BAB would outclass the few 1st level spells (you can get potions of cure light wounds pretty cheaply anyhow at that level) and the turn undead as a first level cleric would not be that helpful. That said, if there are no healers in your party, or you are going for some prestige class like holy liberator, then I would revise my opinion.
Elder-Basilisk
First Post
It all depends upon the character and the level in question. (It also depends on whether or not prestige classes are being used).
Without considering prestige classes, IME, the previous poster is right.
Spellcasters are almost always better off remaining single classed.
Fighter types, OTOH, are generally best off multiclassing within the 1/1 BAB classes. They can get away with multiclassing to classes without full BAB progressions if they only lose one or possibly two BAB total--more than that and they're really hurting--especially in terms of multiple attacks. (In your example, the fighter 6 is definitely better off than the Ftr 5/Clr 1 or even a Ftr 4/Clr 2 but that's primarily because he's a 6th level character. Ftr 6/Clr 1, Ftr 5/Clr 3, and Ftr 4/Clr 3 all stack up fairly well agains the Ftr 7. However, while this remains true at higher levels and Ftr 16/Clr 4 stacks up fairly well against Ftr 20 (although the benefit he gains is probably mostly in his saving throws by that point--2nd level spells won't mean too much), Ftr 10/Clr 10 is significantly weaker than Ftr 20 and much much weaker than Clr 20).
Rogues can multiclass with fighter types and vise versa without changing their power too much either way.
So, to do the quick rundown:
Clr/Wiz=bad
Ftr/Sor=usually bad
Ftr/Clr or Ftr/Rog=potentially good
Ftr, Wiz, Clr, Bbn, Rog, etc=good
Ftr/Bbn/Rgr=very good
Without considering prestige classes, IME, the previous poster is right.
Spellcasters are almost always better off remaining single classed.
Fighter types, OTOH, are generally best off multiclassing within the 1/1 BAB classes. They can get away with multiclassing to classes without full BAB progressions if they only lose one or possibly two BAB total--more than that and they're really hurting--especially in terms of multiple attacks. (In your example, the fighter 6 is definitely better off than the Ftr 5/Clr 1 or even a Ftr 4/Clr 2 but that's primarily because he's a 6th level character. Ftr 6/Clr 1, Ftr 5/Clr 3, and Ftr 4/Clr 3 all stack up fairly well agains the Ftr 7. However, while this remains true at higher levels and Ftr 16/Clr 4 stacks up fairly well against Ftr 20 (although the benefit he gains is probably mostly in his saving throws by that point--2nd level spells won't mean too much), Ftr 10/Clr 10 is significantly weaker than Ftr 20 and much much weaker than Clr 20).
Rogues can multiclass with fighter types and vise versa without changing their power too much either way.
So, to do the quick rundown:
Clr/Wiz=bad
Ftr/Sor=usually bad
Ftr/Clr or Ftr/Rog=potentially good
Ftr, Wiz, Clr, Bbn, Rog, etc=good
Ftr/Bbn/Rgr=very good
Emirikol said:
Rel
Liquid Awesome
In our current campaign, one player is running a Sor1/Barb2/Ftr1/Rog1. By contrast, I'm running a straight Rog6 while another player has a straight Clr5. Neither myself nor the Cleric outclass the Barbarian (I'm not sure we can even reasonably call him a barbarian at this point, but the attitude fits) in combat. I probably hit more often but do a lot less damage on average, even with my sneak attacks.
Just for the record, the "Barbarian" just sort of grew that way. He was originally intended to have a single level of Sorcerer and then go Barbarian all the way. The player just kept changing his mind as he went along.
It' still pretty funny hearing him say, "I cast Shield, Tumble to here and then Rage."
Just for the record, the "Barbarian" just sort of grew that way. He was originally intended to have a single level of Sorcerer and then go Barbarian all the way. The player just kept changing his mind as he went along.
It' still pretty funny hearing him say, "I cast Shield, Tumble to here and then Rage."
Skinwalker
First Post
I think a player's personal style is the most important aspect when it comes to dictating the power of pure class versus multiclass character. Someone who thinks tactically and enters combat carefully will likely be better off with a Fighter 5/Cleric 1 than a Fighter 6. Those handful of spells will provide versatility and options. Someone who just likes to wade in would likely be better off with the Fighter 6 option. The extra BAB and feat may save the day.
Some multiclass combos will be a little tougher than others, sure, but I feel that in the hands of the right player nearly any combo can be made both viable and effective. By the same token I wouldn't go recommending a Brd1/Clr1/Mon1/Rog1/Sor 1/Wiz 1. +0 BAB at 6th level! Great Will save, though. lol.
Some multiclass combos will be a little tougher than others, sure, but I feel that in the hands of the right player nearly any combo can be made both viable and effective. By the same token I wouldn't go recommending a Brd1/Clr1/Mon1/Rog1/Sor 1/Wiz 1. +0 BAB at 6th level! Great Will save, though. lol.
ruleslawyer
Registered User
What Elder_Basilisk said. 
In addition, there is a point to be made that taking levels of fighter past Ftr10, or even past Ftr4, is completely pointless. If you are a human, dwarf, half-elf, half-orc, or halfling, you're better off ditching fighter, because fighter abilities don't scale with level. (Annoying, but true; feats, the fighter's bread and butter, are BAB- and feat-dependent rather than level-dependent.)
Thus, Ftr4/Bbn16 (or Ftr4/Bbn1/PrC10/PrC5) is a great multiclass, and will be even better in 3.5e, when the barbarian gets greater rage and DR sooner. Ftr4/Sor1/other fighter classes is nice for shield, true strike, and expeditious retreat. Ftr2/Pal1/Templar2/Clr15 is REALLY nice; you get the magical +16 BAB (allowing four iterative attacks), GREAT saves (between the pally's divine grace and cleric's saves), and 8th-level divine spells.
Spellcasters should go single-classed, or take a +1 level PrC, unless you take only one or two levels (like the Ftr/Sor above), or take one or two levels of a non-spellcaster class to add a nifty ability. Monk 1/Druid 19 is a great multiclass (Wis bonus to AC and evasion are very nice), as is Pal1/Sor19 (your spellcasting stat adds to your SAVES!).
In addition, there is a point to be made that taking levels of fighter past Ftr10, or even past Ftr4, is completely pointless. If you are a human, dwarf, half-elf, half-orc, or halfling, you're better off ditching fighter, because fighter abilities don't scale with level. (Annoying, but true; feats, the fighter's bread and butter, are BAB- and feat-dependent rather than level-dependent.)
Thus, Ftr4/Bbn16 (or Ftr4/Bbn1/PrC10/PrC5) is a great multiclass, and will be even better in 3.5e, when the barbarian gets greater rage and DR sooner. Ftr4/Sor1/other fighter classes is nice for shield, true strike, and expeditious retreat. Ftr2/Pal1/Templar2/Clr15 is REALLY nice; you get the magical +16 BAB (allowing four iterative attacks), GREAT saves (between the pally's divine grace and cleric's saves), and 8th-level divine spells.
Spellcasters should go single-classed, or take a +1 level PrC, unless you take only one or two levels (like the Ftr/Sor above), or take one or two levels of a non-spellcaster class to add a nifty ability. Monk 1/Druid 19 is a great multiclass (Wis bonus to AC and evasion are very nice), as is Pal1/Sor19 (your spellcasting stat adds to your SAVES!).
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