Multiclassing: "Any combo, any level, always works."

[D'karr]

I meant in 3.X, sorry. Wasn't clear on that. I think that removal (or at least reduction) of Alignment is what the quote is really referring to.

In any case, they have mentioned that looking at 4th with 3rd eyes can cause double vision... LOL

The mechanics will probably be different and assuming that things will work as they do in 3rd might not give a good feel for the changes.

 

[Jeph]

I took the statement to mean that they'll be removing some things that gimp multiclass characters. For instance, important that used to depend on class level, I'm guessing will now depend on either character level, or class level + 1/2 non-class level, or something like that.

So, if we're talking in 3.x terms, a Rogue 10/Wizard 10 might have 8d6 sneak attack damage and caster level 15.

 

[Umbran]

Unless all classes simply have a mish-mash of roughly interchangeable abilities, there is no way a random combination of any classes at any levels will be as effective as a specialist.

I think we need to be very, very careful when we start thinking about things like "being as effective". One person will read that, and figure it means able to deal out the same damage every individual round, and another will think that effectiveness is more a long-term thing.

For me, character balance is long term, over the course of varied adventures and campaigns, not in individual fights - so for me, frequently enough bards are 'as effective' as fighters, even though the rest of the world thinks bards stink...

 

[Henry]

This is probably a statement that directly looks at the problem of "GISH" (yeeech) being very substandard compared to straight fighters or mages in its origins. I doubt it means what it says at face value, but I have been fooled before. In other words, multi-classers will be a much better blend than what they are in 3.x, without overshadowing the straight classed characters.

 

[Jack99]

First of all, the biggest problem in 3.5 is when you multiclass melee types with caster types.

Maybe it means that characters get abilities somehow related to their character level, instead of their class level.

In 3.5, a 8th level figther picking up a couple of wizard levels with mostly get spells quite useless in the greater scheme of things. Of course, buffs and utility spells will mostly still be useful, whereas offensive spells will be very ineffective, either due to too low damage, or too low DC's.

Maybe 4e characters multiclass characters will get higher caster level to start off, or be able to cast higher level abilities (not as high or as many as a straight caster ofc).

This, coupled with the ability to multiclass, might be what they mean..

 

[BryonD]

Ok, this is a wild extrapolation....

I get this vague general idea that classes will be very modular.
Somehow when you gain a level as a multiclass character you gain bits of both.
So a Fighter9/Wizard1 would not just be a level of wizard tacked on to 9 levels of fighter.
Instead, having that one level of wizard gives a range of small powers over the next 8 and the fighter losses a little compared to a fighter 9.

Which of course can't be right because a Fighter 9 who gains a level of wizard would not suddenly becomes less potent a fighter.

But maybe it is just a system if incremental gains. Each class is self-contained and has guidance based on what you gain at each character level as well as each class level.

I dunno. I see lots of flaws in this, but it seems to fit the track of what has been said. Maybe someone else can throw out a better development.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

So they take the challenge out of making a multiclass character? Great now players dont actually have to learn or earn anything. 3e=Thinking mans game. 4e=Crap so far.

 

[BryonD]

So they take the challenge out of making a multiclass character? Great now players dont actually have to learn or earn anything. 3e=Thinking mans game. 4e=Crap so far.

Huh?

 

[Mouseferatu]

Huh?

I agree. With a side-order of "WTF?!"

While I like the majority of what I've heard about 4E, I can at least comprehend some of the complaints. But this one just strikes me as someone looking for things to get irked at.

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

Huh?

See, BryonD is "unlearning" at such a fast pace that he can't even respond. 4e did this to him.