Multiclass characters: Class overload?

[FalcWP]

I'm a multiclass addict... currently playing a Ranger 3/Barbarian 1/Fighter 1/Warblade 1/Horizon Walker 1 at level 7. We just leveled. I'm thinking Fighter for improved crit... but I may add another class to shore up the reflex or will saves...

Lets dig through my current and retired PC list (we'll ignore stuff that I've built but not played...)

Lets see... a 2nd level Factotum... he was single classed, and would have stayed that way (he just retired as the game is ending )

A Swashbuckler 3/Cleric 3/Fighter 1/Half-Elf Paragon 1...

A Unseen Seer 4/Swashbuckler 3/Beguiler 2/Warblade 1...

A Hexblade 3/Ranger 2/Monk 2/Fighter 1

A Fighter 2/Wizard 2...

A Warlock 6/Scout 1...

A Bard 4/Rogue 4...

A Sorcerer 5...

So, nobody over level 10, and I'm averaging close to three levels per character.

 

[kensanata]

In my weekly game:
Mnk-2/Sor-1/Brb-1/Ftr-1/Dra-8 (trip master)
Ftr-9/Clr-2/Rgr-2 (archer, regrets taking those cleric levels)
Clr-3/Wiz-3/Mys-6 (regrets using a spell level)
Rng-6/Ftr-1/Rog-1/Sha-4 (rolled low on hitpoints and is now often ineffective)
Clr-9/Ftr-2 (regrets those fighter levels sometimes)

 

[Satori]

Multi classing is one of the great strengths of 3.xE.

It hits the other side of "Homebrew Everything" ala 2nd Edition by hard coding versatility.

The drawback, of course, is that you need be an accountant before you can create a very specifically focused character build

Personally, I'm all about building to the concept. Sometimes, a class is just cool enough to do that.

-Hellbred Crusader

Other times, I need to branch out in order to acquire the necessary mechanics for a particular type of flavor.

-Half-Drow Ranger/Fighter/Blackguard/Ghost Faced Killer

My favorite type of multi-classing, though, revolves around a PrClass that symbolizes the union of two classes. i.e. Eldritch Knight

-Half-Orc Monk/Cleric/Sacred Fist
-Dwarven Fighter/Cleric/War Priest
-Elven Swashbuckler/Wizard/Bladesinger
-Whisper Gnome Rogue/Beguiler/Arcane Trickster

In many ways, I feel the above examples truly outline what a PrClass should do. I get a bit frustrated with random PrClasses that could simply exist as a flavor modified Base Class.

i.e. The Blackguard doesn't need to exist. Just modify the existing Paladin to symbolize a "Holy Warrior", give it an evil alignment, and RP the rest.

i.e. The Assassin doesn't need to exist. Add a 10th level Rogue Feat that allows a Death Attack, allow it as an option instead of Slippery Mind/Crippling Strike/etc...,and add a few levels of Wizard for those spells. Heck, a Rogue 10/Wizard 1/Arcane Trickster 9 could be a very effective "Assassin".

Where the multi-classing system of 3.xE fails, I think, is in the massive amount of arbitrary classes that exist as a name for a variety of mechanics that could be simulated with alternate class features, feats, etc...

We don't really need a Griffon Rider PrClass, or a Purple Dragon Knight, etc...Instead, a Griffon Rider could be a Paladin with a feat allowing for a Griffon Mount...a Purple Dragon Knight could be a Fighter who takes Tactical Leadership Feats.

This is, of course, just my opinion.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

In many ways, I feel the above examples truly outline what a PrClass should do. I get a bit frustrated with random PrClasses that could simply exist as a flavor modified Base Class...<many true things >

Yeah, there are a lot of PrCls that could have been done as Feats, or even better as ACFs (like those introduced in PHB2 and later WotC publications) since they don't depend on use of a resource (Feats) that are so scarce and instead switch out extant features for the ones you want.

 

[Corsair]

Currently playing: Wizard 7 / Loremaster 6 / Archmage 2. Next level will be paragnostic disciple (Complete Champion).

I'd say that by level 10 I usually have at minimum 2 classes, occasionally 3. Possible exceptions to this are psion (a lack of decent PrCs), druid, and duskblade (at minimum to level 13). Rogue I could stick with, but chances are high I'd splash in something else like ranger or fighter (or a casting class).

By level 20 I would say I generally have 4 classes. Examples:

Wizard / Master Specialist / Archmage / Abjurant Champion
Paladin / Favored Soul / Fist of Raziel / Ordained Champion
Paladin / Beastmaster / Halfling Outrider / Cavalier
Fighter / Barbarian / Ranger / Half Orc Paragon / Orc Paragon

 

[dystmesis]

wizard/dragonslayer/spellsword/abjurant champion/eldritch knight/knight phantom ftw

 

[Center-of-All]

Barbarian/Fighter/Bard/Ranger/Pious Templar/Exotic Weapon Master/Dragon Disciple/Occult Slayer/Paladin.

Actual Character

 

[Mr. Wilson]

Depends on the player in my group.

Player A: Loves multiclassing. So, usually at least 3. Has an absolute need for prestige classes.
Player B: Usually single class, or at most two to fit the concept.
Player C: Plays an exotic race or dwarf melee type character. One to two classes.
Player D: Comes up with a concept and multiclass or single class to fit the concept.
Me: My two main characters in 3.X have been a single classed Monk 15, and a more exotic (or broken) Ftr2/Rgr2/Rogue6/Masterspy5 (exact levels escape me, but it was close to that).

So, anywhere from 1 to 4 seems common.

 

[Fifth Element]

Currently, in one campaign (about 10th level) we have:

Knight
Nomad
Barbarian
Rogue/Fighter/Master Thrower
Duskblade/Wizard/Abjurant Champion/Ultimate Magus (me)

In the other (about 8th level, I'm the DM) we have:

Cleric
Ranger
Fighter
Wizard/Master Specialist

So multiclass characters are far from ubiquitous. I think it depends a lot on the player. Many players like to keep it simple, especially the casual players.

 

[rawgt3]

Right now I'm playing a swift hunter. I would like to play a ranger/swordsage/bard/forest reeve/wildrunner but I am worried that the multiclass penalty would be to high,causing me to be very underpowered. :/