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Multi-Class Alternative Using Sub-Classes
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<blockquote data-quote="Aldarc" data-source="post: 6984690" data-attributes="member: 5142"><p>Subclasses as a substitution for multiclassing is certainly an interesting, though hardly a profound, idea. That is not a detraction from the basic idea, but, rather, speaks to a certain degree of intuitiveness. This idea is already rooted deeply in a number of subclasses: e.g. Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster, etc. A part of me would likely prefer something more akin to hybrid classes - as per your idea - than what we have already, since I am not entirely satisfied with how multiclassing works in 5e. </p><p></p><p>When I look through the barbarian, one thing leaps out almost at once: ritual casting. You say that you are using the Arcane Trickster and Eldritch Knight as inspiration, but neither class gains access to wizard ritual casting. Furthermore, both the AT and EK have a far more restricted spell-selection than what either a rogue/wizard or fighter/wizard would have. The benefit of the Arcane Trickster over a Rogue/Wizard (presuming here a basic thief rogue and probably an illusionist wizard) is that it builds on a full-class rogue chassis (e.g. higher average hp, sneak attack, etc.) while expanding the utility of the <em>mage hand</em> cantrip and other trickster mage options. </p><p></p><p>With that in mind, there are two broad questions worth considering when designing your subclass system. </p><p></p><p>1) What are some significant patterns of multiclassing in 5e? What are people trying to address about their character through multiclassing? By this I refer to particular builds and popular dips. For example, there are a number of builds for various classes that will have you start as one class only a level or two for certain benefits (e.g. skills/expertise, saves, weapon/armor, or other class features) but then be mostly built on another class. Or sometimes it's dipping for cantrips/spells (e.g. Eldritch Blast/Hex). </p><p></p><p>2) How will you distinguish a Base Class X/Subclass Y from a Base Class Y/Subclass X? For example, how different a Barbarian (Sorcerer subclass) would be from a Sorcerer (Barbarian subclass)? Or to use our earlier example: a Rogue (wizard) from a Wizard (rogue)?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Aldarc, post: 6984690, member: 5142"] Subclasses as a substitution for multiclassing is certainly an interesting, though hardly a profound, idea. That is not a detraction from the basic idea, but, rather, speaks to a certain degree of intuitiveness. This idea is already rooted deeply in a number of subclasses: e.g. Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster, etc. A part of me would likely prefer something more akin to hybrid classes - as per your idea - than what we have already, since I am not entirely satisfied with how multiclassing works in 5e. When I look through the barbarian, one thing leaps out almost at once: ritual casting. You say that you are using the Arcane Trickster and Eldritch Knight as inspiration, but neither class gains access to wizard ritual casting. Furthermore, both the AT and EK have a far more restricted spell-selection than what either a rogue/wizard or fighter/wizard would have. The benefit of the Arcane Trickster over a Rogue/Wizard (presuming here a basic thief rogue and probably an illusionist wizard) is that it builds on a full-class rogue chassis (e.g. higher average hp, sneak attack, etc.) while expanding the utility of the [I]mage hand[/I] cantrip and other trickster mage options. With that in mind, there are two broad questions worth considering when designing your subclass system. 1) What are some significant patterns of multiclassing in 5e? What are people trying to address about their character through multiclassing? By this I refer to particular builds and popular dips. For example, there are a number of builds for various classes that will have you start as one class only a level or two for certain benefits (e.g. skills/expertise, saves, weapon/armor, or other class features) but then be mostly built on another class. Or sometimes it's dipping for cantrips/spells (e.g. Eldritch Blast/Hex). 2) How will you distinguish a Base Class X/Subclass Y from a Base Class Y/Subclass X? For example, how different a Barbarian (Sorcerer subclass) would be from a Sorcerer (Barbarian subclass)? Or to use our earlier example: a Rogue (wizard) from a Wizard (rogue)? [/QUOTE]
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