D&D 1E Multi class issue for original D&D to 2nd ed question.

[santosud37]

I have noticed a problem regarding my original characters that are now 17th and 20th level Elven Thieves. As there was no level limitation placed on Elven Thieves from the 0D&D Box Sets to the 1st Ed, my question is, how does one continue with this character? Since I only have the 1st and 2nd eds Players Handbooks and 2nd ed DMG where it gives level restrictions with I ptional rules for Prime Requesites limiting the Elven characters to 12th level and with the modifiers from the optional rules to 14th and 15th level for 2 characters and since the chars were not multi-classed at the time. How can I fix this problem. I am thinking of running the XP back, multi-classing by starting the XP as a Thief/Mage for 1 char and for the other char either a Thief/Thief Acrobat or a Thief/Ranger. Is this possible as an Elven race? I do have an Unearthed Arcana as well. As u cannot Dual-class a demi-human, how does one fix this problem? Any suggestions on what I should do in this case would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rabindranath72]

I am not sure I understand the question, but in 2e the 20th level limit doesn't seem like a hard limit, as you can keep spending the thief skill points until you reach 95% in an ability. I haven't done the calculation, but it seems unlikely that by 20th level you will have capped all thief abilities at 95%. As for the elf thief level limit, the 2e DMG has rules to exceed all limits by paying an XP premium, which may "hit" after you reach the maximum level adjusted by prime requisite (but ask the DM about how s/he rules on it.)

 

[Voadam]

So going from 1e to 2e?

By the book they would cap out at the 2e limit unless the DM grandfathered them in with 1e limits.

As far as I know there is no way to pick up a multi class later than character creation that is specified but I would allow wishes to do a lot in this space.

 

[Jack Daniel]

I'm having a hard time understanding what you're asking. Are you trying to convert 1st ed. characters to 2nd ed., or what?

 

[Spellslinging Sellsword]

If those levels were legitimately earned via previous play and are just being imported into a 2nd Edition campaign I'd just let them be imported as is.

 

[James Gasik]

I saw something like this happen in a game- a player had a multiclass combination from Unearthed Arcana that was rendered illegal in 2e (Halfling Druid/Thief, if memory serves). The DM grandfathered their character in without an issue, as we were often mixing 1e and 2e material in our games.

 

[santosud37]

I have noticed a problem regarding my original characters that are now 17th and 20th level Elven Thieves. As there was no level limitation placed on Elven Thieves from the 0D&D Box Sets to the 1st Ed, my question is, how does one continue with this character? Since I only have the 1st and 2nd eds Players Handbooks and 2nd ed DMG where it gives level restrictions with I ptional rules for Prime Requesites limiting the Elven characters to 12th level and with the modifiers from the optional rules to 14th and 15th level for 2 characters and since the chars were not multi-classed at the time. How can I fix this problem. I am thinking of running the XP back, multi-classing by starting the XP as a Thief/Mage for 1 char and for the other char either a Thief/Thief Acrobat or a Thief/Ranger. Is this possible as an Elven race? I do have an Unearthed Arcana as well. As u cannot Dual-class a demi-human, how does one fix this problem? Any suggestions on what I should do in this case would be greatly appreciated.

Looks like I posted this twice but am not sure. My apologies if this is the case!
Is there a way yo delete one if posted multiple times?

 

[santosud37]

I am not sure I understand the question, but in 2e the 20th level limit doesn't seem like a hard limit, as you can keep spending the thief skill points until you reach 95% in an ability. I haven't done the calculation, but it seems unlikely that by 20th level you will have capped all thief abilities at 95%. As for the elf thief level limit, the 2e DMG has rules to exceed all limits by paying an XP premium, which may "hit" after you reach the maximum level adjusted by prime requisite (but ask the DM about how s/he rules on it.)

I was saying nothing about abilities so am not sure where you got that information from. I am only talking about level limitations for demi-humans. In this case for the Elven racial class as a Thief. I started playing D&D back in the late '70s and continued on and off in the '80s and early '90s. I have the Basic and Expert Box Sets, 1st ed, rules with the PHB and D&D Rules Cyclopedia and later pn bought 2nd ed. PHB and DMG and other books from that.
Let me try again with the question as I am not running or playing in a campaign at this time. I noticed this problem while running through my Castle Construction in the Forgotten Realms.
This is in accordance with the 2nd Ed. DMG pg. 15 with its optional max level limits. I can only go to certain levels for demi-humans. I have 2 Elven Thieves that are 17th and 20th Level, respectively, the 17th Level Thief is a Female High Elf that has a 17 Dex, max limit for a Female, and a 20th Level Male High Elf with Max 18 Dex ability. According to the 2nd Ed DMG and its optional rules I am only allowed to go to 14th and 15th level as a Elven Thief with the max Dexes respectively. Since I noticed this now and want to run a campaign using these chars am I allowed to run back the XP and multi-class the chars? Or should I go on with the Levels and XP, per the 0D&D Rules Cyclopedia, pgs 24-26, for an Elf where there is NO Level Limit for races?
I do have 2 Fighter/Magic-User High Elves that started from 0D&D as well that are progressing past there level limits but have not exceeded the 2nd ed. rules yet. All my mid-level chars (12 of them in total) started from the Basic box set from 0 Level back in the '70s. I have 2 Dwarven Fighters as well.
I am considering running the XP back for the Elven Thieves, 1 being either a Thief/Thief Acrobat or a Thief/Magic-User and the other being a Thief/Ranger if this is possible? I do understand the balancing issue with 1000 year old Elves and 100s of year old Demi-Humans issue for the game.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

 

[cbwjm]

You can ignore the level limits and import them as is and retain the level then use the slow levelling optional rule for demi-humans slowing the rate of advancement once they've been ported over.

 

[James Gasik]

respectively, the 17th Level Thief is a Female High Elf that has a 17 Dex, max limit for a Female,

Hang on, since when did female High Elves have a cap of 17 Dexterity?