multiclassing houserule

[messy]

allo

ok, here's my idea to make multiclassed characters a bit more powerful: when a character reaches level 3 in two different classes, he/she can begin advancing as a "hybrid prestige class" that combines the abilities of those two classes.

example: bob has reached fighter level 3 and wizard level 3. now he will begin advancing as a "hybrid," gaining the abilities of a fighter and wizard. so, when bob reaches level 7, he will be a fighter 3/ wizard 3/ hybrid 1, and have the abilities of a fighter 4 and wizard 4. when he reaches level 16, he will be a fighter 3/ wizard 3/ hybrid 10, and have the abilities of a fighter 13 and a wizard 13.

does that make sense?

is it too powerful?

also note that i've heavily houseruled the base classes, but i'd still like opinions on the principle.

messy

 

[Runestar]

How will saves and bab be determined? For instance, in your fighter/mage example, 1 lv of hybrid grants +2bab?

You may also want to watch out for multiclassing amongst melee classes.

 

[Jack Simth]

So if I were to write the Hybrid class out for the specific instance of the Wiz-3/Fighter-3 entry, it'd be something like....

Saves: Good Fort, Good Will, Poor Reflex
BAB: Full
Fighter Bonus Feats: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, et cetera
Wizard bonus Feats: 2nd, 7th
Spellcasting Advancement: Full
?

 

[messy]

So if I were to write the Hybrid class out for the specific instance of the Wiz-3/Fighter-3 entry, it'd be something like....

Saves: Good Fort, Good Will, Poor Reflex
BAB: Full
Fighter Bonus Feats: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, et cetera
Wizard bonus Feats: 2nd, 7th
Spellcasting Advancement: Full
?

that's exactly right.

messy

 

[Angrydad]

So, basically, they become Gestalt characters (DMG) once they reach level 3 in two classes? I'd say that's overpowered. Characters can multiclass just fine and totally break the game if they want, you don't need to make them even more powerful.

 

[messy]

So, basically, they become Gestalt characters (DMG) once they reach level 3 in two classes?

not exactly. in the case of bob the fighter 3/ wizard 3/ hybrid 10, his wizard caster level is only 13.

messy

 

[Angrydad]

not exactly. in the case of bob the fighter 3/ wizard 3/ hybrid 10, his wizard caster level is only 13.

messy

That's pretty much becoming a Gestalt character. He'd be level 13 in the case of fighter and wizard abilities, but actually be a 16th level character. It's more confusing as I write it now. I think it'd be simpler to just push the players into a prestige class at that point instead of the hybrid thing. Just my thoughts though.

 

[Jack Simth]

So, basically, they become Gestalt characters (DMG) once they reach level 3 in two classes? I'd say that's overpowered. Characters can multiclass just fine and totally break the game if they want, you don't need to make them even more powerful.

Might I point something out?

Gestalt characters aren't (usually) overly much stronger than regular characters of similar level - they've generally just got better endurance and are more durable - they don't generally have all that much of an edge in brute power (there's exceptions, like the Druid//monk, but for the most part, they're not really stronger). Gestalt guidelines say +1 or +2 CR on what you'd otherwise be throwing at them. These Hybrids are basically taking Gestalt, and making it a +3 LA template... with PrC's taking up both "sides". It's not really noticeably stronger than regular play, and will usually be weaker (okay, the Fighter-3/Barbarian-3/Hybrid-X will be slightly stronger than most Fighters or Barbarians... but only just, and at 7th, you're getting into territory where non-casters are left behind).

 

[Angrydad]

I still don't really get why everyone thinks spellcasters are so broken once you get up in the level 7 area. In my experience, a higher level spellcaster can dish out a lot of punishment in an encounter or two, but they can't maintain effectiveness for long. It keeps things balanced. But that's really a separate conversation/thread.

 

[Runestar]

I am not really worried about spellcasters. As it stands, giving up 3 spellcasting lvs is anathema, you will see me hard-pressed to give up even one unless the alternative benefits are really worth it.

Can't think of any game-breaking scenarios. Should be okay. In fact, it may even dilute their power, since it requires you to have at least 3 lvs in each class.