Multiple uses for multi-class rules

[Kzach]

Someone suggested to me in another thread to use multi-class rules to represent domains/spheres for priests. It doesn't quite work out that way, but it did give me the idea to create specialty priests for each religion of my homebrew world.

But then I realised I could use the multi-class rules for even more!

I'm working on familiar rules to fit into the multi-class rules, and just now I realised I could also do it for making specialist wizards!

My basic formula is as follows:

Initial feat = some sort of bonus to a skill or ability or something plus a decent encounter power or at-will that suits the flavour of the specialty class or other.

Novice feat = something renamed to something more appropriate. Give some minor bonus to a skill or something plus a set encounter power that is slightly more powerful than a 3rd-level encounter power and reflects the flavour of the class or whatever it is you're going for. This replaces whatever encounter power they chose at 3rd-level.

Acolyte feat = repeat but with a set 6th-level utility power.

Adept feat = repeat but with a set 9th-level daily power.


It's a lot of work, but I really like the flavour it gives. And as an incentive to take them and the restriction of only having a set power at a set level, I make them just a tad more powerful than a regular choice.

I think it's really cool.

 

[FireLance]

You might want to consider giving the encounter and daily attack powers some scaling so that they remain competitive at higher levels, especially at the point when the PC would have swapped them out for higher level powers. Maybe something like an extra die of damage per tier, or something similar.

This is the approach that WotC took when it used the multiclass framework for weapon mastery (for the bola, net and whip) in Dragon 368.

 

[Kzach]

Hmm... good point. I'll have to give that some deep consideration.

Ooh, how about the option to 'upgrade' it at certain intervals where you would normally be able to do so? It'd require at least two versions of the power, but that can be done... or maybe just an addendum in the one power saying, "At X level this power gains Y."

Hmm...

 

[FireLance]

Hmm... good point. I'll have to give that some deep consideration.

Ooh, how about the option to 'upgrade' it at certain intervals where you would normally be able to do so? It'd require at least two versions of the power, but that can be done... or maybe just an addendum in the one power saying, "At X level this power gains Y."

Hmm...

For the weapon specialization powers, the increase points for encounter attack powers are 11th level and 21st level, e.g. at 11th level, increase damage to 3[W], and at 21st level, increae damage to 4[W]. The increase points for the daily attack powers are 15th and 25th level. Although the powers in the article only increase in damage, I see no reason why you can't have scaling effects instead. For example, the base power slows, the first upgrade immobilizes, and the final upgrade restrains.

 

[Kzach]

Oh, I also just realised this would work for druid and ranger pets as well!

 

[chronoplasm]

Interesting.

Do you think you might be able to use this to represent different 'schools' of wizardry?

 

[77IM]

You can also use it for racial templates. I did this for vampires: http://www.enworld.org/forum/4e-fan-creations-house-rules/241370-vampirism-feats.html

-- 77IM

 

[Starfox]

I like this line of reaoning. There was a comment on the gladiator weapons rules that indicated WotC is thinking of something along these lines for Divine Power.

Just a note; the limitation on taking multiclass feats is that you can only take class-specific multiclass feats from one class. This means that taking feats like these do not restrict your ability to multiclass normally.

 

[Kzach]

I've almost finished my version of the familiar rules. My biggest problem is representing the traditional familiar role whilst giving it a new spin that is specifically familiary enough to warrant an entire psuedo-class.

My thinking on this is that what you really need is a few choices for the power-swapping feats rather than just one set one. It's hard to represent a familiaresque power with an encounter and daily attack power, so by having several options you're not saying "This power is exactly what a familiar is!" you're saying, "Ok, here are some options that are a bit familiary, choose what you think is most appropriate."

Just a note; the limitation on taking multiclass feats is that you can only take class-specific multiclass feats from one class. This means that taking feats like these do not restrict your ability to multiclass normally.

Huh?