D&D 5E Optimal Multiclassing

[Fion]

I don't know if I'll suggest that my players ever multiclass accept perhaps a 1 level dip for the simple reason that ability score advancement appears tied directly to class and not level, which IMHO is a huge oversight. Yes you'll exchange those ability score improvements and/or feats for new class abilities and/or spells but is that trade-off worth it at high level? With Bounded Accuracy I'm unsure if say a Paladin 5/Warlock 15 with 4 ASI's instead of 5 will be that much more stunted than a character with 5 ASI's. But fewer feats (which are awesome in 5e) and fewer ability scores at cap seems like it would have a pretty large impact to me. Time will tell but I forsee a rather popular houserule that decouples class level at ASI.

 

[drjones]

I don't know if I'll suggest that my players ever multiclass accept perhaps a 1 level dip for the simple reason that ability score advancement appears tied directly to class and not level, which IMHO is a huge oversight.

Not an oversight at all, completely working as intended. Without it, a single classed character woud almost always be worse off than a MC. Feats/stats are great but there are dips into classes that are better.

 

[jgsugden]

There are too many variables for there to be a single answer, here.

For example, let's say that I roll a character and (after racial bonuses), start with a 20 in my prime stat. A PC like that has less need of their ability boosts at level 4. As such, they can afford to multiclass bit early on to gather a few good abilities from different classes.

On the other hand, let's consider a PC that is going to expect to run for a prolonged period at level 20. A PC like that - if they're focused on maximizing their effectiveness at those levels - should never multiclass as the 20th level abilities are generally too strong to give up.

Regardless, in the end, the best multi-classing answer is: Do what seems like fun. The combinations that most appeal to me generate fun combinations of abilities, but they're probably not high on the power curve.

 

[Tazawa]

I find that taking one level of Wizard works really well for my arcane trickster character.

My arcane trickster doesn't use spells directly for combat--he's still got the full set of rogue's abilities for that. Instead, he uses spells to supplement his exploration and thieving activities.

Having a level of wizard greatly increases the variety of spells he can cast, especially as he can continuously add new spells to his spellbook. The big thing though is access to rituals--the utility of a familiar to a sneaky rogue is pretty significant.

By only taking one level of wizard, you don't give up much. Ability increases and feats are only delayed one level.

Happy gaming!

 

[Zardnaar]

The warlock multiclass is a powerful 2 level dip as cantrips scale with character and not spellcaster levels so you are not giving up multiple attacks as such as you get an extra ray at level 5 and 10.

This can be combined with action surge and/or twin spell via sorcerer and the polearm master+warcaster combo. Sorcerer spell slots can be used to cast a lot of hex spells. A 4/4/ progression also means you miss out on 0 ability boosts and even if you go pure sorcerer after the 2 level dip you are only 2 levels behind on your stat boosts. If you start as sorcerer you also get proficiency in con saves, if you go the fighter path you are more or less being an archer just using eldritch blast instead of a bow and then you can play with heavy armor and pick up a feat/stat buff at level 6 and by level 10 you could look something like fighter 6/warlock4 and have 3 feats and 3 attacks+ cheese eldritch blast with action surge and AoO with the polearm.

The fighter build would also be proficient and have advantage with con saves for purposes of concentration checks and hex would get funny. You get an AoE on anyone coming within 10' of you so thats is 3d10+15 damage potentially then you can hex them+ action surge and hit them with another 6d10+6d6+30 potential damage. Single classed fighter probably starts to cry around about now and even without hex you are still getting 3 attacks with an AoE and 3 attacks every round. As a reaction you can also use the shield spell via eldritch knight levels. You also do not have to worry about getting screwed out of attacks due to range.

 

[77IM]

Paladin 2 picking up full caster levels would go well with their smites - when you have slots to burn on every hit you make, it starts to add up.

Then you realize that you're just a full caster that is behind regular full casters in spells, why are you even hitting things. But you know.

Paladin 2/Sorcerer (draconic) X seems like a good deal since both are based on Cha and you can use sorcery points to convert low level slots into high level ones. Smite damage is roughly on par with spell damage once you factor in Str bonus, weapon damage and magic item benefits. Smites are single-target, but you only use them once you've already hit so the slot never gets wasted on a miss.

 

[Ruzak]

I am reading things like
"Here is an example of a great one level dip!"
"If you are going to take a level in that class you might as well take three to get ..."
"You really need to take at least five levels in a class."
"Any multiclassing is underpowered."
The fact that I see all of these arguments supports [MENTION=1879]Andor[/MENTION] 's point. Multiclassing looks balanced and well done.

 

[brehobit]

I am reading things like
"Here is an example of a great one level dip!"
"If you are going to take a level in that class you might as well take three to get ..."
"You really need to take at least five levels in a class."
"Any multiclassing is underpowered."
The fact that I see all of these arguments supports [MENTION=1879]Andor[/MENTION] 's point. Multiclassing looks balanced and well done.

I _think_ you'll find that few people are suggesting marital characters multiclass with other martial characters. _that_ part is pretty borked. I'd like to see levels stack for getting the extra attack feature (2 attacks only). The ability gain problem is the same for everyone, but warriors _need_ that extra attack or they fall way (way) behind.

 

[77IM]

I _think_ you'll find that few people are suggesting marital characters multiclass with other martial characters. _that_ part is pretty borked. I'd like to see levels stack for getting the extra attack feature (2 attacks only). The ability gain problem is the same for everyone, but warriors _need_ that extra attack or they fall way (way) behind.

I was pretty surprised (and disappointed) by this since the final public playtest did it "right." Any ideas why they changed it?

 

[Tzarevitch]

Poorly placed sarcasm aside... What are your beefs with Multiclassing Rules n 5E? If you aren't willing to expound on your comment, you're just trolling ad that is unproductive.

I wasn't the op but I'll expound.

You need three separate charts to explain what stats you need and how your proficiencies and spell slots work. You also have to check four separate line-items for specific class features, one of which (spellcasting), then has three further subparts which may or may not need to be checked just to figure out how multiclassing may work for you. You also then have to track which spell casting classes count either full, 1/2 or 1/3. I've played 1e though 4e and this is the most complicated multiclassing setup I've seen yet. I haven't played it yet to see how WELL this works, but there is no doubt this is by far the most complicated one.