Multiclassed (2 classes) characters

[Quasqueton]

I'm toying with the idea of running a campaign where all PCs multiclass with cleric. Are multiclassed characters equal to single-classed characters when considering challenges?

For instance, is a Fighter/Cleric 10/10 truly equal to a Fighter 20 and/or a Cleric 20? A Wizard/Cleric 10/10? A Rogue/Cleric 10/10?

If there is a difference in challenge level between multiclassed and single-classed characters, at about what level would the difference be notable?

Just off the top of my head, I would think one major/obvious difference would be spell levels available.

Quasqueton

 

[Erywin]

You might want to look into the UA gestalt rules, keeping oneside full of cleric levels and the other half other classes. Another thing is that you might want to have the characters pick a theme for spells for each of the different characters or they are all going to be fairly similar.

Cheers,
E

 

[Quasqueton]

Thanks for the response.

I'm definitely not going to use gestalt.

Quasqueton

 

[Drowbane]

I'm toying with the idea of running a campaign where all PCs multiclass with cleric. Are multiclassed characters equal to single-classed characters when considering challenges?

For instance, is a Fighter/Cleric 10/10 truly equal to a Fighter 20 and/or a Cleric 20?<snip>...

Hell no, not even close to the same power. Anybody who takes cleric 10 / fighter 10 and expects to be equal to a cleric 20 needs to be smacked around until they see the light. A cleric 10 / fighter 10 is probably tougher than a fighter 20 though. A cleric 20 is diffinately tougher than a fighter 20.

But if everybody in that campaign is hobbled by having to split thier classes evenly, well, Balance is relative, no?

 

[Slife]

In general, it's a bad idea to multiclass 50/50, especially with casters. You can get away with a fighter/cleric multiclass primarily because the cleric is level-for-level better than the fighter.

If you're worried about power creep with gestalt, you could gestalt with adept instead. Get a clericy feel without as much of a boost.

 

[Sejs]

I'm toying with the idea of running a campaign where all PCs multiclass with cleric. Are multiclassed characters equal to single-classed characters when considering challenges?

For instance, is a Fighter/Cleric 10/10 truly equal to a Fighter 20 and/or a Cleric 20? A Wizard/Cleric 10/10? A Rogue/Cleric 10/10?

If there is a difference in challenge level between multiclassed and single-classed characters, at about what level would the difference be notable?

It all depends on how it's done. Usually speaking a straight divide is the worst way you can cut it. a Ftr 10/Wiz 10 isn't really equal to a Ftr 20, Wiz 20, Clr 20. A Wiz 10/Clr 10 is not equal to a Wiz 20, or a Clr 20 by a long shot.

However, a Ftr 15/Wiz 5 and a Ftr 20 are a lot closer. I'd even possibly go so far as to say that the Ftr/Wiz is better off than the straight Ftr. Enlarge Person, Shield, Blur, Haste ... you can get a lot of milage out of 3 levels of spells for the cost of 2 bonus feats and some BAB.

 

[Quasqueton]

Thanks for the further replies.

If I go through with this campaign idea, the levels would be split evenly -- 1/1, 3/3, 6/6, 10/10, 15/15, such.

My main wonder is what challenge level such split classed characters would be equal to -- is a 6/6 equal to a 12, or is only a 10? Is a 10/10 equal to only a 15, or an 18?

Is a wizard/cleric less effective than a fighter/cleric or a rogue/cleric of same levels?

Quasqueton

 

[Slife]

Thanks for the further replies.

If I go through with this campaign idea, the levels would be split evenly -- 1/1, 3/3, 6/6, 10/10, 15/15, such.

My main wonder is what challenge level such split classed characters would be equal to -- is a 6/6 equal to a 12, or is only a 10? Is a 10/10 equal to only a 15, or an 18?

Is a wizard/cleric less effective than a fighter/cleric or a rogue/cleric of same levels?

Quasqueton

A lot less effective. Two casting stats to maintain, little synergy between abilities. If he could PrC into theurge he'd be less ineffective, but still not as good.

So, basically, I see a lot of cleric/10 /cleric10s coming out of this.

EDIT:And as I previously asked, is your opposition to gestalt coming from power balance issues, or something different?

 

[sniffles]

I don't know about your players, Quasqueton, but if my GM told me I had to keep my class levels even I wouldn't be very happy about that.

I wouldn't object to being told I had to take at least one level of cleric. But I would feel that some of my creative freedom to run my character the way I find most fun had been taken away by having to keep the levels even.

 

[sukael]

I'd even possibly go so far as to say that the Ftr/Wiz is better off than the straight Ftr.

I'd go Fighter/Cleric instead, since Fighter/Wizard has to worry about ASF.