Multiclass characters and Encounter Levels...

[Cergorach]

I'm resuming my DMing duties after a little break, but i'm now faced with a bit of an imbalance.

History:
When we started this campaign we were a bit turned off by powergaming and as a result we instituted some rules for the campaign, in short order:
- Everyone is half elf
- Everyone starts with 72 attribute points
- Everyone multiclasses to two classes that do not fit in the same group
- No prestige classes
- 'Low magic'

Uptil now this has worked pretty decently, but i noticed that with forced multiclassing the power levels of the party are not up to 'spec' when compared to a single class character or one that uses prestige classes,

Current Situation:
The party currently consists of four 7th level characters:
- Fighter4/Rogue3
- Barbarian4/Sorcerror3
- Ranger4/Wizard3
- Cleric4/Wizard3
They are all low on magic items, and the magic items they do have are not ones that are optimal for their users. As an example: my own Bard4/Ranger3 character tows around a +1 Sonic Ranseur (that's a polearm for those that don't know) while i'm specialized in ranged combat and fighting undead, i have no magical ranged weapons. The Fighter4/Thief3 is an spiked chain expert, but has a +1 Mighty (+2) Composite Longbow of Distance (which i can't use due to not having a high enough strength score), but no magical spiked chain.

My Problem:
Although they are 7th level characters they have trouble with a lot of CR7 monsters, in other words their combined multiclass level doesn't compare in power to their actual level. And i expect that the difference will only get bigger with time.

My Question:
How do i calculate their 'actual' level? While it's easy to just say "Make an educated guess.", i would prefer to 'calculate' it.

 

[Thanee]

Hmm... calculating that is next to impossible.

Maybe higher level + 1/2 lower level (rounded up) might work.

Do you have to split the levels 50/50 (i.e. keep both classes within +/-1 one level to each other)?

(Forcing everyone to be a half-elf seems rather silly, tho. )

Bye
Thanee

 

[Shin Okada]

Well, even with the restriction in your campaign, players could make more "practical" characters. Especially with that high ability scores. For example, spell casters did not need to raise their two classes evenly (they are half elves). Basically, Fighter type 1/Spellcaster 6 is more practical character than Fighter type 4/Spellcaster 3, especially when there is no other single-classed spellcaster in the party.

Low-magic is another story. That will certainly make PCs weaker than average D&D adventurers of that level.

But anyway, with special regulations or not, a PC party may become stronger or weaker than "assumed strength" of that level for various reasons. Tactical talent of the players (not of PCs) may change the strength of the party, too. There is no clear rule to adjust it. DM should determine the strength of the designated party by himself. Sorry, but you cannot "calculate" it.

Always try to keep the newest copy of character sheets. Then, when making an adventure and putting a hard encounter, run a test battle or two. That is the best way to "take balance".

 

[Thanee]

Especially with that high ability scores.

I don't think he was speaking of 72 PB there.

Bye
Thanee

 

[billd91]

The fighter/rogue is probably pretty close to his regular level power. The same would be true with just about any fighter/barbarian/ranger/paladin/rogue/monk combination. They won't lose all that much compared to what they gain. It's the spell casters that will suffer the most with stunted caster levels. Adding in the nerfed buff powers in 3.5, and their abilities as support characters will suffer as well.
While I think 3E took some great steps to make multiclassing work compared to previous editions, there are some things that still don't work too well.
If you are noticing a continual problem, you might consult the Unearthed Arcana and it's caster level ideas. Basically, like BAB, caster level gets contributions from all character classes, at varying rates. You might find that the multi-classers have fewer underpowered problems if you use that system (though they'll still be a little under-powered in the spell-levels they can cast).
One other thing to remember is that the CR of monsters assumes certain things about a party of that level. One of the things it assumes is that they are reasonably well equipped and that includes magical equipment. Keep that in mind especially when using monsters with any kind of damage resistance. In a low magic campaign, they might not have found the stuff to make those encounters level appropriate.

 

[MichaelH]

CR assumes that the PC's will have the normal magical gear for their level. If you are running a lower magic game, the CR will not work normally. I don't know of any way to recalculate the CR's for lower magic games. Unfortunately, you will have to judge that on a case by case basis.