Multiclassing Speculation

[mneme]

I'd take crosswind's bet too -- particularly since we've seen reports that you could somehow (we now have an idea of how) get the Fighter class feature -and- Sneak Attack.

Re "why do you get 19th level class features if you multiclass at 19th/20th level when the base class has to work their way up there?" Because getting much lower features would be worthless. The penalty you take for multiclassing is spending an extra resource (feats or paragon path) and that unless you're making a very careful build, the base class has much more synergy between their effects than you do.

Re multiclassing to striker: it seems like a very obvious and lucrative thing for -strikers- to do. (obviously, you can't multiclass to the same striker class twice) OTOH, I'd guess that the paragon path powers are better than the powers you get from multiclassing, and that the striker paragon paths generally also give you extra striker-type abilities; that's the point, after all. But re non-strikers multi-ing to striker -- that's far from a no-brainer, as "I do lots of damage to one foe" isn't what the non-striker roles are about. Sure, you -could- do that...or you could get much better oppy attacks (fighter), or some really good options for -mass- damage or controlling the battlefield (wizard), or a general improvement to your party buffs (leader), and let the strikers do their own job...

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

I would bet an unholy amount of money that you will not be able to pick up Class Features (Sneak Attack, Warlock Curse) from multi-classing. It would be more or less hideously imbalanced. My bet (and the bet of anybody else with a head for game balance) is that you can pick up powers.

In Races & Classes it says that the class training feats allow access to class abilities:

Each class has a corresponding set of feats that allows other characters to pick up class abilities, skill training and even powers from another class. Have that idea for the martial wizard? Take the Fighter Training feats.

It's entirely possible that the multiclassing rules have changed since R&C, but at least at one time you would have lost your bet.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Multiclassing Feats give you class features

When you gain a class power you can choose from your main class or any classes you have a feat in.

Paragon Path - Subsituting Powers is not the standard multiclassing its just throwing people who don't want a paragon path a bone.

My Current theory

 

[FireLance]

Actually, there may be a way to multiclass within your own class.

At 11th level, you pick one other option from your base class, e.g. if you picked Artful Dodger for your rogue at 1st level, you can now pick Brutal Scoundrel at 11th. The encounter, utility and daily power you get at 11th, 12th and 20th level are simply selected from your class power list.

Not sure what you could get in place of the 11th level action point ability and the 16th level class feature, though.

 

[Shroomy]

Actually, there may be a way to multiclass within your own class.

At 11th level, you pick one other option from your base class, e.g. if you picked Artful Dodger for your rogue at 1st level, you can now pick Brutal Scoundrel at 11th. The encounter, utility and daily power you get at 11th, 12th and 20th level are simply selected from your class power list.

Not sure what you could get in place of the 11th level action point ability and the 16th level class feature, though.

That could work, but I doubt that your sneak attack damage would double as suggested earlier. But if multi-classing gets you access to skills, proficiencies, and class powers, then it would really be a sub-optimal choice. I still don't think it will be in the rules.