Multiclassing is for the weak.

[Sunseeker]

I greatly dislike multiclassing, When someone has one level in mage/warrior/psion/chocolate bunny, it begins to feel less like a role playing game and more like calculus. Worse off, when one person power-builds though this, it leads to the rest of the party needing to power-build. Which in turn leads to a rather annoying arms race and IMO, takes fun out of the game.

Now mind you I'm not opposed to min-maxing within your class or multiclassing in the 4e style of two primary classes. But when you start having 6 different classes(excluding prestige classes) I think it spoils the pot so to speak.

In any case, rant aside, what I'm looking for is some help here. I was recently invited to play a 3.5 game with some friends of mine and I haven't seriously played 3.5 for over half a decade. And even then it was very light. So what I'm looking for is some good suggestions for strong builds(as these guys are often power-builders), with minimal to no reliance on multiclassing(prestige classes excluded).

What are good classes that I can take say, lvls 1-10 in and ONLY in and still come up with a strong character? Nobody has any explicit roles so far save one guy who wants to play the penultimate bard, so I'd like to avoid treading on his turf. Links, sample builds, any suggestion is welcome, preferably not fighter though, been there, done that, not interested.

 

[Duke Arioch]

If they are power-players, there is nothing you can do single class to bring yourself to their power level. But, if you really want to stick to single class, go druid and rain destruction XD (also, if you are not against 1 prestige class, take on Planar Shepherd and make them cry lol)

 

[Sunseeker]

If they are power-players, there is nothing you can do single class to bring yourself to their power level. But, if you really want to stick to single class, go druid and rain destruction XD (also, if you are not against 1 prestige class, take on Planar Shepherd and make them cry lol)

Prestige classes are totally legit, they're something you use a base class or two to work towards. It's the 1-mage/1-fighter/2-rogue/4-cleric type builds that bother me. 4-rogue/4-cleric, a fine combo, good RP value, but how exactly do you play a mage/fighter/rogue/cleric? A rich kid who drumped his education to become a dirt-farmer who lost their home and had to live on the streets but then found religion? Why don't we take away his XP penalties, give him two scimitars and color him blue?

 

[Nagol]

Druid 20

 

[Trance-Zg]

Prestige classes are totally legit, they're something you use a base class or two to work towards. It's the 1-mage/1-fighter/2-rogue/4-cleric type builds that bother me. 4-rogue/4-cleric, a fine combo, good RP value, but how exactly do you play a mage/fighter/rogue/cleric? A rich kid who drumped his education to become a dirt-farmer who lost their home and had to live on the streets but then found religion? Why don't we take away his XP penalties, give him two scimitars and color him blue?

Elminster?

But seriously, character like that could be explained as a rich spoiled kid which gets bored from everything after few months or a year, or an D&D equivalent of very experienced special forces or a spy.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Cleric 20.

Psion (Telepath) 20.

 

[Jimlock]

I greatly dislike multiclassing, When someone has one level in mage/warrior/psion/chocolate bunny, it begins to feel less like a role playing game and more like calculus. Worse off, when one person power-builds though this, it leads to the rest of the party needing to power-build. Which in turn leads to a rather annoying arms race and IMO, takes fun out of the game.

Now mind you I'm not opposed to min-maxing within your class or multiclassing in the 4e style of two primary classes. But when you start having 6 different classes(excluding prestige classes) I think it spoils the pot so to speak.

In any case, rant aside, what I'm looking for is some help here. I was recently invited to play a 3.5 game with some friends of mine and I haven't seriously played 3.5 for over half a decade. And even then it was very light. So what I'm looking for is some good suggestions for strong builds(as these guys are often power-builders), with minimal to no reliance on multiclassing(prestige classes excluded).

What are good classes that I can take say, lvls 1-10 in and ONLY in and still come up with a strong character? Nobody has any explicit roles so far save one guy who wants to play the penultimate bard, so I'd like to avoid treading on his turf. Links, sample builds, any suggestion is welcome, preferably not fighter though, been there, done that, not interested.

Prestige classes are totally legit, they're something you use a base class or two to work towards. It's the 1-mage/1-fighter/2-rogue/4-cleric type builds that bother me. 4-rogue/4-cleric, a fine combo, good RP value, but how exactly do you play a mage/fighter/rogue/cleric? A rich kid who drumped his education to become a dirt-farmer who lost their home and had to live on the streets but then found religion? Why don't we take away his XP penalties, give him two scimitars and color him blue?

If one takes the road of multiclassing, WITHOUT the intention to break the game, and with the intention to create a diverse and resourceful character... then multiclassing is great no matter how many classes you combine. I agree with your arguments in general. But its not always the case.

And this comes from someone who HATES power-building, and LOVES RP.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

If one takes the road of multiclassing, WITHOUT the intention to break the game, and with the intention to create a diverse and resourceful character... then multiclassing is great no matter how many classes you combine.

Agreed, 100%.

 

[Dandu]

Multiclassing is for the weak. Melee characters benefit much more from multiclassing than casters, who are strongest if they remain in their same class.

There are many characters who multiclass a lot and are still fun and flavorful, such as Fistbeard Beardfist.

Anyways, 10 levels in any class that has 9th level spells is usually enough to keep up with people, especially if one of those people is playing a bard. Offhand, this.

 

[slwoyach]

Bah, multi-classing allows for realistic non-stereotype characters. Even Conan would have had 3 classes: Barbarian/Thief/Fighter.