malcolm_n
Adventurer
The fighter has been thrust into the role of a general when his is unexpectedly killed on the field of battle...
The Sorcerer seeks further understanding of the arcane and forges a pact with a powerful fey who promises vast knowledge...
The Paladin retires his sword and shield and takes a vow of peace after felling his god's enemies for so long...
At this time, all of these characters, mechanically, would have to either start their career as a hybrid class or multiclass during the heroic tier into their preferred classes. But what if that doesn't thematically fit how the character gains their new status and training. Further more, why does the character suddenly become as powerful in his new endeavor as he was when he was only a single class character? This is why the following rules for paragon classing are being created. To help represent those characters who've had fate thrust upon them or who have tired of their current path and decided to seek a new way without missing out on later advancement.
[sblock=Concepts for characters using different multiclass strategies, laid bare.]Hybrid Classing - The character has always been different, learning the abilities of more than one class. Maybe the character does it because of a special school, or maybe he's blending natural ability with training.
Multiclassing - Early in the character's career, he begins training or finds latent powers within himself that may not have showed themmselves sooner.
Paragon Classing - Later in his career, the character has decided to change, or been forced, into a new path. Maybe his outer view of the world has changed, or maybe he's only just now realizing inner talent which hasn't been there previously.[/sblock][sblock=Paragon Classing Rules]At 11th level, instead of a paragon path, you can decide to paragon class. Choose a class that shares either a role or a power source with your own. You gain the following benefits beginning when you choose your new class.
Requirements: Same role or power source; cannot have a multiclass feat or hybrid of the chosen paragon class.
Armor Proficiencies: At 11th level, you are restricted to armor used by both classes. At 12th level and every even level thereafter, you gain access to the next highest armor that would be available to you. For example, if you were a fighter and paragon class as a rogue, you are restricted to leather armor at level 11. At 12th level, you regain the ability to use hide armor. At 14th level, you can use chain armor again, and at 16th level, you regain Scale. If you have a feat that grants you heavier armor, you regain the use of that feat when you regain its prerequisite.
Implement/Weapon Proficiencies: You gain a bonus feat that you can spend on an implement or weapon proficiency in which your paragon class has access.
Hit points per Level Gained: You gain the hit points of your paragon class at each level gained from 11 to 30.
Trained Skills: If your paragon class starts with training in a skill in which you are not trained, you get a +2 bonus to that skill.
Class Features: The features of your heroic tier class only apply to the powers of that class. You also gain one feature of your choice from your paragon class. If it can, that feature only applies to the powers from that class.
Powers: As paragon multiclassing. From level 21 to 30, you gain powers from your paragon class instead of from your heroic tier class.[/sblock][sblock=Example of Paragon Classing]After having been captured by the city guard and tried for his crimes, a level 11 rogue is given the opportunity to become a fighter for the nation and accepts. He is briefly trained before being put out on the field of battle (11th level hit points, at-will swap, level 7 encounter attack power). At 12th level, he gains training in hide armor and a 10th level utility power from his paragon class. 13th level garners an encounter attack from his heroic class, while at 14th, he's learned how to use chain armor. At 16th level, the former rogue gains access to scale armor and a rogue utility power, and at 19th level, he gains his last rogue daily attack. at 20, he gets a level 19 fighter attack, and starting at 21 he gains only fighter powers.[/sblock][sblock=In case you're only reading the first post]Okay, to spur conversation and my own brain, I'm gonna list some pros and cons of each multiclass method in hopes that I can determine if this is a "too powerful" option.
Hybrid
__pros - lesser feat tax than multiclassing; even split of classes; more varied options for feature combinations; no stat requirements. More hit points for tougher hybrids
__cons - Armor has to be "bought" in lieu of a class feature. Class features only function for half of the powers. partial class features from each class; less hit points for more fragile hybrids; potentially fewer skills than most single classes
__optional - Give up paragon path for Hybrid Talent Feat and lower level powers similar to multiclassing. Some combinations are "unfeasible."
Multiclassing
__pros - full class features of one class; no loss of armor for heavy armor wearing main class; Most combinations are feasible within same power source, role, or stat allocation; class features work for all powers; no decrease in hit points for more fragile multiclasses; training in an extra skill when multiclassing across power sources
__cons - Limited options for features from classes; heavy stat requirement for second class (especially armor wearers); 4 or more required feats to "feel" like a multiclass character; no increase in hit points for tougher multiclasses
__optional: Give up paragon path for at-will swap and lower level powers from multiclass.
Paragon Classing
__pros - progression into heavier armored classes without feat/stat tax; full features of main class; one full feature for paragon class; more hit points for tougher paragon classes; no required feats
__cons - required loss of paragon path; less hit points for more fragile paragon classes; "partial" training in skills overwritten or ignored; Class features only function for half of the powers. paragon class overwrites heroic tier class entirely by level 20; fewer valid combinations with required same role or power source; no variability in options, feats, or otherwise.
Interestingly, this exercise has helped me to feel better about the balance of the presented option. It also opens up other choices for "multiclassing" by allowing those creating them to get an idea of what they can include at what cost. Any thoughts?[/sblock]
The Sorcerer seeks further understanding of the arcane and forges a pact with a powerful fey who promises vast knowledge...
The Paladin retires his sword and shield and takes a vow of peace after felling his god's enemies for so long...
At this time, all of these characters, mechanically, would have to either start their career as a hybrid class or multiclass during the heroic tier into their preferred classes. But what if that doesn't thematically fit how the character gains their new status and training. Further more, why does the character suddenly become as powerful in his new endeavor as he was when he was only a single class character? This is why the following rules for paragon classing are being created. To help represent those characters who've had fate thrust upon them or who have tired of their current path and decided to seek a new way without missing out on later advancement.
[sblock=Concepts for characters using different multiclass strategies, laid bare.]Hybrid Classing - The character has always been different, learning the abilities of more than one class. Maybe the character does it because of a special school, or maybe he's blending natural ability with training.
Multiclassing - Early in the character's career, he begins training or finds latent powers within himself that may not have showed themmselves sooner.
Paragon Classing - Later in his career, the character has decided to change, or been forced, into a new path. Maybe his outer view of the world has changed, or maybe he's only just now realizing inner talent which hasn't been there previously.[/sblock][sblock=Paragon Classing Rules]At 11th level, instead of a paragon path, you can decide to paragon class. Choose a class that shares either a role or a power source with your own. You gain the following benefits beginning when you choose your new class.
Requirements: Same role or power source; cannot have a multiclass feat or hybrid of the chosen paragon class.
Armor Proficiencies: At 11th level, you are restricted to armor used by both classes. At 12th level and every even level thereafter, you gain access to the next highest armor that would be available to you. For example, if you were a fighter and paragon class as a rogue, you are restricted to leather armor at level 11. At 12th level, you regain the ability to use hide armor. At 14th level, you can use chain armor again, and at 16th level, you regain Scale. If you have a feat that grants you heavier armor, you regain the use of that feat when you regain its prerequisite.
Implement/Weapon Proficiencies: You gain a bonus feat that you can spend on an implement or weapon proficiency in which your paragon class has access.
Hit points per Level Gained: You gain the hit points of your paragon class at each level gained from 11 to 30.
Trained Skills: If your paragon class starts with training in a skill in which you are not trained, you get a +2 bonus to that skill.
Class Features: The features of your heroic tier class only apply to the powers of that class. You also gain one feature of your choice from your paragon class. If it can, that feature only applies to the powers from that class.
Powers: As paragon multiclassing. From level 21 to 30, you gain powers from your paragon class instead of from your heroic tier class.[/sblock][sblock=Example of Paragon Classing]After having been captured by the city guard and tried for his crimes, a level 11 rogue is given the opportunity to become a fighter for the nation and accepts. He is briefly trained before being put out on the field of battle (11th level hit points, at-will swap, level 7 encounter attack power). At 12th level, he gains training in hide armor and a 10th level utility power from his paragon class. 13th level garners an encounter attack from his heroic class, while at 14th, he's learned how to use chain armor. At 16th level, the former rogue gains access to scale armor and a rogue utility power, and at 19th level, he gains his last rogue daily attack. at 20, he gets a level 19 fighter attack, and starting at 21 he gains only fighter powers.[/sblock][sblock=In case you're only reading the first post]Okay, to spur conversation and my own brain, I'm gonna list some pros and cons of each multiclass method in hopes that I can determine if this is a "too powerful" option.
Hybrid
__pros - lesser feat tax than multiclassing; even split of classes; more varied options for feature combinations; no stat requirements. More hit points for tougher hybrids
__cons - Armor has to be "bought" in lieu of a class feature. Class features only function for half of the powers. partial class features from each class; less hit points for more fragile hybrids; potentially fewer skills than most single classes
__optional - Give up paragon path for Hybrid Talent Feat and lower level powers similar to multiclassing. Some combinations are "unfeasible."
Multiclassing
__pros - full class features of one class; no loss of armor for heavy armor wearing main class; Most combinations are feasible within same power source, role, or stat allocation; class features work for all powers; no decrease in hit points for more fragile multiclasses; training in an extra skill when multiclassing across power sources
__cons - Limited options for features from classes; heavy stat requirement for second class (especially armor wearers); 4 or more required feats to "feel" like a multiclass character; no increase in hit points for tougher multiclasses
__optional: Give up paragon path for at-will swap and lower level powers from multiclass.
Paragon Classing
__pros - progression into heavier armored classes without feat/stat tax; full features of main class; one full feature for paragon class; more hit points for tougher paragon classes; no required feats
__cons - required loss of paragon path; less hit points for more fragile paragon classes; "partial" training in skills overwritten or ignored; Class features only function for half of the powers. paragon class overwrites heroic tier class entirely by level 20; fewer valid combinations with required same role or power source; no variability in options, feats, or otherwise.
Interestingly, this exercise has helped me to feel better about the balance of the presented option. It also opens up other choices for "multiclassing" by allowing those creating them to get an idea of what they can include at what cost. Any thoughts?[/sblock]
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