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D&D 5E Multi-class power-up examples?

It's not really that great, but Ranger 3/Monk 2/Barbarian 1 lets you use Horde Breaker, Flurry, Rage, and Hunter's Mark all together for four attacks per turn (with a ki point) with +1d6+2 damage on each. Rage, Ki points, and Hunter's Mark are limited resources, though, and a straight-up Monk 6 can flurry for four attacks anyway.

Add in another Barbarian level for Reckless Attack, plus two levels of Fighter for Action Surge and it starts looking like a fair bit of damage, but at that point your comparison is to a level 9 Battle Master Fighter or Frenzy Barbarian, and those two can just crank out the hurt all day. I haven't run the exact numbers but I'm guessing that the multiclass mess basically has to nova just to stay competitive.
 

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What about starting with a level 1 sorcerer then multiclassing 6 levels of paladin, which plays just like a regular paladin which is one level behind with shield spell and cantrips. Afterwards continue with sorcerer levels. What you get is your second attack at lvl 6 and with the sorcery points you 'll have alot of low level spell slots which you can burn with both arcane and divine spells or smites.
The build focuses more on versatility with martial capacity through shield spell and smites instead of high spell slots.
 

It's not really that great, but Ranger 3/Monk 2/Barbarian 1 lets you use Horde Breaker, Flurry, Rage, and Hunter's Mark all together for four attacks per turn (with a ki point) with +1d6+2 damage on each. Rage, Ki points, and Hunter's Mark are limited resources, though, and a straight-up Monk 6 can flurry for four attacks anyway.

Add in another Barbarian level for Reckless Attack, plus two levels of Fighter for Action Surge and it starts looking like a fair bit of damage, but at that point your comparison is to a level 9 Battle Master Fighter or Frenzy Barbarian, and those two can just crank out the hurt all day. I haven't run the exact numbers but I'm guessing that the multiclass mess basically has to nova just to stay competitive.
Limited resources, indeed. You've got two measly ki points and two level-1 spell slots. And after all that, you still don't even have a single Extra Attack from any class, not to mention how monk is severely limiting your weapon options. Plus your unarmed attack -- the only legal attack for your martial arts bonus action or for Flurry of Blows -- is still only 1d4 + mod damage.
 

What about starting with a level 1 sorcerer then multiclassing 6 levels of paladin, which plays just like a regular paladin which is one level behind with shield spell and cantrips. Afterwards continue with sorcerer levels. What you get is your second attack at lvl 6 and with the sorcery points you 'll have alot of low level spell slots which you can burn with both arcane and divine spells or smites.
The build focuses more on versatility with martial capacity through shield spell and smites instead of high spell slots.
I would call that a pretty decent use of multiclassing, but certainly not overpowered.

But why wouldn't you start in paladin, for the free heavy armor proficiency? Starting in sorcerer doesn't get you much of anything.

(And to be honest, once you're in heavy armor and have access to healing, the shield spell is kind of gilding the lily. Not useless, but maybe a bit much.)
 

I agree with Joe, that nova builds are fun exercises but not necessarily the most fun/interesting at the table.

Still: 100 points of burst damage is pretty sweet. Or rather: 200 damage since you'll probably want to Twin that Inflict Wounds spell (delivered by you to another target within 5' or, more likely, by your familiar to another target across the battlefield).
 

Don't forget your first class determines your good saves for the rest of your life. So if you take Barbarian 1 you are stuck with STR and Con saves as your good ones. As a caster, you may not want that.
 


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