Multi-classing- Rich Baker

[Deverash]

My (current) take on multiclassing in 4e is going to be something like they did it in SWSE. When You pick up a second class, you get most, but not all of the abilities at first level. If abilities that are based on level are now going to be based on character level, not class level, then you don't have the "19 Fighter/1 Wizard" screw over. A half-elf, then, might be able to to choose another of the class abilities when they pick up other classes.

What's I find interesting, though, is that this is a warlord, who has to wear armor to have a decent AC, is taking wizard. Does this mean that there's a way for wizards to cast in armor now?

 

[Spinachcat]

My (current) take on multiclassing in 4e is going to be something like they did it in SWSE. When You pick up a second class, you get most, but not all of the abilities at first level.

SpyCraft did a similiar thing to promote staying with a single class. Every class had a cool core ability. Wheelmen could do the most outrageous stunts, everyone else could do stunts, but not those few exclusive to Wheelmen. When you multi-classed, you got all the normal 1st level stuff, but not the second classes' core ability.

The problem was that the core ability was so good that you never really wanted to multi-class.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I prefer to take my first level in Rich Baker, for all the skill points. After first level, though, there's not much point in multiclassing him, IMO.

 

[Guild Goodknife]

My guess is that multiclasing works much like the new prestige class system. Remeber, they said it would be possible to take a prestige class without leaving your own class. Does that mean we won't see any Warlords 10/ Wizards 1??
Will a 10th Level Warlord get any of the lower Level Wizard stuff or will he just pick some of the 10th level powers? Exciting stuff!

 

[Dragonblade]

I prefer to take my first level in Rich Baker, for all the skill points. After first level, though, there's not much point in multiclassing him, IMO.

That was funny!

 

[hong]

If 4E tanks, he will become a multiclassed Rich Baker/Poor Baker. So yeah, he probably doesn't want to multiclass either.

 

[Irda Ranger]

Remeber, they said it would be possible to take a prestige class without leaving your own class.

Actually I don't remember that. Source?

But if you're correct, I would go so far as to guess (WARNING: RAMPANT SPECULATION) that there is a unified mechanic for taking "Secondary Classes." The class you take at 1st level is your Primary Class (and always remains so; it defines who you are for your whole career), and that all other classes taken later (whether normally a Core 1-20 class, or what 3E would call a Prestige Class) are "Secondary" Classes.

I have no idea how that would work though. It could be a Talent Tree thing, I guess, but what are you giving up to do it? A flat-out 10th level Warlord that nonetheless has Wizard abilities simply must have given up some cool Warlordy stuff to get his magic mojo, otherwise everyone would multiclass all the time, whereas I think single-classing should be an option too.

What we DO know is that "You get something every level." There are no dead levels. So, in theory, if what you're getting is balanced juuuusst right, it would be an equally valid choice to give it up in favor of a multi-class ability (e.g., instead of taking my 10th level Warlord ability, I'll take a 1st level Wizard ability, which functions as if I were a 5th level wizard because of my 1/2 Warlord levels).

Hmm. Must think more.

 

[hong]

But if you're correct, I would go so far as to guess (WARNING: RAMPANT SPECULATION) that there is a unified mechanic for taking "Secondary Classes." The class you take at 1st level is your Primary Class (and always remains so; it defines who you are for your whole career), and that all other classes taken later (whether normally a Core 1-20 class, or what 3E would call a Prestige Class) are "Secondary" Classes.

Mang, that is SO Guild Wars.

 

[Doug McCrae]

My guess is that multiclasing works much like the new prestige class system. Remeber, they said it would be possible to take a prestige class without leaving your own class. Does that mean we won't see any Warlords 10/ Wizards 1??
Will a 10th Level Warlord get any of the lower Level Wizard stuff or will he just pick some of the 10th level powers? Exciting stuff!

I guess they mean that there are options for specialisation within each class at high level. Like assassin might now be a high level option for a rogue who wants to become an expert at stealthy killing, but he's still a full rogue, not multiclassed. Whereas a multiclassed 'assassin' would be a rogue 10/fighter 2/wizard 2 or something.

With multiclassing stronger there would no longer be a need for enabling PrCs such as mystic theurge or arcane trickster. A cleric/wizard would be competitive as is without the need for PrC levels to make it playable.

Thus PrCs can wither and die. We don't need them for ultra-specialists, like the Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil or for multiclassing. So what's left?

 

[Mad Mac]

I prefer to take my first level in Rich Baker, for all the skill points. After first level, though, there's not much point in multiclassing him, IMO.

Oh I don't know. Rich Baker gets increasingly good at drawing enemy fire as he levels up. If you need to fill the defender role, there's worse options out there. Personally, I'd multiclass my warlord with Steve Winters (WotcHuscarl) for the battlefield control, or just straight Mearls if I felt like being a munchkin.