Multiclassing Speculation

[KidSnide]

So, for example, to get access to the Thievery skill and maybe some Rogue powers, you take a feat.

But to get Sneak Attack, you need to multiclass at 11th or 21st level.

I don't remember the exact reference, but there was a WotC designer blog that talked about multiclassing. He was a mid/late-heroic wizard who decided to "take the plunge" and really multiclass into fighter. My impression is that he did that before reaching 11th level, so it looks like there is some way to multiclass other than taking the abilities at level 11 or 21.

Also, the very earliest discussions of multiclassing mentioned how they wanted to let people play, for example, a fighter-wizard from the start without having to play one or the other until they got enough levels to really play their concept.

My guess is that (A) the character classes give non-power benefits at several levels and (B) the initial class benefits are broken down into bite-sized chunks with a progression. So, if you don't want to take the next benefit in your existing class you can choose to take a benefit from a second class instead.

At first level, it may be possible to take a mixture of abilities. Maybe a 1st level Warlock-Cleric gets a +1d4 curse and can only do healing word once per encounter? This would violate the "strong role" rule, but that's going to be somewhat inevitable with multiclassing.

Edit to Add: Of course, it also seems like you can use feats to dabble without losing any abilities from your primary class. I think we all know that and are talking about the "other" mechanic.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

1) There are over 30 paragon paths in the PH.

2) My paladin took a multiclass cleric feat so she could qualify for a cleric paragon path.

Paragon PAth Thread.

I'm right.

 

[Storm-Bringer]

20th: Secondary class daily power (pick one of 19th level or below)

This is where I have a bit of disconnect. Not that I think you are incorrect about this, it is likely how it works. Rather, it seems odd that after 20 levels of Fighter, you are suddenly able to use 19th level magic. Even though the Fighter may not have so much as looked at a wand for the previous 19 levels.

Just an example, of course. It applies the same for a Rogue taking a Warlord 19th level ability.

 

[Lackhand]

This is where I have a bit of disconnect. Not that I think you are incorrect about this, it is likely how it works. Rather, it seems odd that after 20 levels of Fighter, you are suddenly able to use 19th level magic. Even though the Fighter may not have so much as looked at a wand for the previous 19 levels.

Just an example, of course. It applies the same for a Rogue taking a Warlord 19th level ability.

Not so! You've been ultraclassed with wizard for 10 levels.

If anything, I'd imagine it was the 11th level, gain an encounter ability, that would throw you. To which my response is "Meh. Gotta start somewhere."

(Ultraclass: Like ultravision, but for classes! Next, infraclassing.)

 

[Khaim]

This is where I have a bit of disconnect. Not that I think you are incorrect about this, it is likely how it works. Rather, it seems odd that after 20 levels of Fighter, you are suddenly able to use 19th level magic. Even though the Fighter may not have so much as looked at a wand for the previous 19 levels.

Just an example, of course. It applies the same for a Rogue taking a Warlord 19th level ability.

Well, obviously the fighter has been studying as a wizard for nine levels. Even so, I think the 19th-level power might be a bit much. Why not just have it be a 15th-level power? That fits better with the 11/7 mix earlier.

 

[Storm-Bringer]

Not so! You've been ultraclassed with wizard for 10 levels.

If anything, I'd imagine it was the 11th level, gain an encounter ability, that would throw you. To which my response is "Meh. Gotta start somewhere."

(Ultraclass: Like ultravision, but for classes! Next, infraclassing.)

Yeah, but that only really moves the problem back a bit. The same thing applies, really. Why should the Ranger struggle through ten levels to get the cool Ranger stuff, and the Wizard walks up and yoinks it without having any prior Ranger experience?

It's just odd that powers/skills are tied into a class, but are still 'generic' enough that anyone can take them at any level.

 

[Storm-Bringer]

Well, obviously the fighter has been studying as a wizard for nine levels. Even so, I think the 19th-level power might be a bit much. Why not just have it be a 15th-level power? That fits better with the 11/7 mix earlier.

If the Fighter has been studying as a Wizard for nine levels, there should be some earlier indication. A couple of low level spells or something.

To use doctors as an example: 8-10 years of school, another 2-4 as an intern to a specialty. After 10-14 years, they don't suddenly have the ability to perform a heart transplant single handed. Before that, they were able to clean and stitch a wound, diagnose illness, treat a variety of patients, and so forth. Now, they may be studying to be a surgeon, but again, they learn many other forms of surgery before they jump into neurosurgery.

This is more like working in the ER for four years, then right up to working on brains.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Simulation is died. Casting Magic missle at 20th level in 3e is dumb.

 

[DreamChaser]

Simulation is died. Casting Magic missle at 20th level is dumb.

Well, since wizards will pretty much always have magic missile (and presumably it's damage doubles at epic) and there are no gains in at will powers, MM at 20th levels is not dumb...its standard.

DC

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I personally think there will be three kinds of multi-classing:

-Feat based: The Class Training One
-Paragon Path based: The one described in the first post.
-Progression based: The one where the more levels you multi-class the more of that class you unlock.