D&D (2024) No more Cleric and Sorc dips!

[ECMO3]

Cleric and Sorcerer used to be among the most common classes to dip for 1 level, especially for other full casters. Now I am seeing far fewer Clerics and Sorcs, as a matter of fact I don't think I have seen a single one-level Sorc or Cleric dip since 2024 rules came out.

I think there are two things driving this - first they get no subclass at 1st level, and second Paladins and Rangers getting a casting level on a 1-level dip along with a generally better kit, making them more attractive as a full caster one-level dip.

Anyone else seeing similar?

 

[FrogReaver]

Magic initiate can grab you the shield spell. No sorcerer multiclass needed.

More full caster classes and subclasses have good AC options now.

Just as importantly people want to try out the new features and the fastest way to do that is to stay single classes.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Your 1 level dip options used to be:

• Cleric for heavy armor + pick a subclass
• Sorcerer for Con save proficiency + pick a subclass, access to Shield and Silvery Barbs
• Fighter for heavy armor and Con save proficiencies, at expense of spell progression

Fighter dips are far more common now since that lost no value (in fact gaining huge value if Weapon Mastery matters at all to your build), while Cleric and Sorcerer lost value on picking a Subclass.

Just as importantly people want to try out the new features and the fastest way to do that is to stay single classes.

The importance of this should not be overlooked. Regardless of whether it is optimal for damage and survivability, playing with new toys is more optimal for having fun, and so multi-classing is temporarily less common right now when people want to try out new features

 

[Seramus]

Cleric and Sorcerer used to be among the most common classes to dip for 1 level, especially for other full casters. Now I am seeing far fewer Clerics and Sorcs, as a matter of fact I don't think I have seen a single one-level Sorc or Cleric dip since 2024 rules came out.

I think there are two things driving this - first they get no subclass at 1st level, and second Paladins and Rangers getting a casting level on a 1-level dip along with a generally better kit, making them more attractive as a full caster one-level dip.

Anyone else seeing similar?

How many characters have you seen created and played with the new rules?

 

[Stormonu]

I don't allow multiclassing in my game, so I couldn't really say there's been any change.

 

[YouMeetInATavern]

Anyone else seeing similar?

I just created a Sorc for a one-shot with a 1 level Protector Cleric dip. It enabled the theme I had in mind for the PC, so seemed useful? ¯\(ツ)/¯

 

[ECMO3]

Your 1 level dip options used to be:

• Cleric for heavy armor + pick a subclass
• Sorcerer for Con save proficiency + pick a subclass, access to Shield and Silvery Barbs
• Fighter for heavy armor and Con save proficiencies, at expense of spell progression

Fighter dips are far more common now since that lost no value (in fact gaining huge value if Weapon Mastery matters at all to your build), while Cleric and Sorcerer lost value on picking a Subclass.

If you are a full caster losing a caster level is a big hit. I don't see fighter being very attractive at all in the new rules when Paladin or Ranger are available and give you armor proficiency and weapon mastery without losing a caster level.

I am also not seeing a lot of 1-level fighter dips on full caster, but I did not see them a lot on the old rules either. Any time someone dipped fighter in the old rules they usually went to 2 levels, but they were not nearly as common as Cleric for full casters that I saw.

The importance of this should not be overlooked. Regardless of whether it is optimal for damage and survivability, playing with new toys is more optimal for having fun, and so multi-classing is temporarily less common right now when people want to try out new features

I am still seeing a ton opf multiclassing, more than before overall I think, but different combinations and far fewer 1 level Cleric and Sorc dips.

Warlock now seems to be the most common multiclass overall (but with more than one level), lots of Paladins and Rangers of all level combos too.

 

[ECMO3]

How many characters have you seen created and played with the new rules?

Around 30.

 

[Reef]

Around 30.

Holy cow, your campaign must have a prodigious death rate! The games only been out for a little over two months!

 

[ECMO3]

Holy cow, your campaign must have a prodigious death rate! The games only been out for a little over two months!

I am playing in 5 different games right now.