Paragon Multiclassing: What am I missing?

[Boarstorm]

Or full access to the basic Class Features of the second class.

I'd settle for just one class feature, in most cases.

 

[Destil]

Yeah. The lack of extra abilities at 11th and 16th for multiclass paragon paths is the biggest hole in the system.

Multiclassing needed a little more work, sadly. Expect mystic thurge type paragon classes to be common, even worse.

 

[Danceofmasks]

I think it's in that huge thread of custserv responses, but the powers gained from paragon multiclassing count as powers of your second class.
'Your second class' is apparently interchangeable with 'your class' when replacing lower level encounter & daily powers with higher level ones (upon leveling up).

Although I've largely given up keeping track of custserv responses, since they fail at consistency.

 

[Gladius Legis]

You're not missing anything. Paragon multiclassing sucks and is one of the few things I actually dislike about 4e. It's always better to take the other class' (or your first class') paragon path.

 

[Goumindong]

Paragon multi-classing is only bad if you really need the paragon path powers. In the end, its actually slightly more powerful, especially for a human since they get three at wills they can easily swap one of their primary at wills for one from their secondary classes.

In the most cases, paragon options aren't that great(unless you are a wizard or multiclass wizard, since Bloodmage is terribly overpowered). And since you get powers from "your class" you are able to swap them out. This gives you, at later levels, a slightly higher level power selection of powers that are typically a little stronger. Especially the encounter and and utility powers, which for paragon paths pretty much universally suck.

Paragon multi-classing is also the only way you can get two utility powers from the same class on the same level. Which can be handy(E.G. a paragon multi-classed paladin could take clensing spirit and turn the tide for lots of making saves goodness. Or, you can have pray for more, woo, re-roll damage as an encounter power. A paragon multi rogue can pick up shadow stride and another 10th level utility, A paragon multi-warlord can pick up tactical shift and defensive rally, and i shouldn't have to mention how awesome it would be to have two wizard lvl 10 utilities.)

ED: You do lose out on the level 20 powers which are near universally amazing. But it can be worth it for a better encounter and utility.

 

[Danceofmasks]

PHB p27, under powers
You can always select a power of a lower level when you get a new pick. You just can't pick the same power twice.
So ... if you really like level 10 utilities, then by all means pick a level 10 instead of a higher level one.

 

[Goumindong]

PHB p27, under powers
You can always select a power of a lower level when you get a new pick. You just can't pick the same power twice.
So ... if you really like level 10 utilities, then by all means pick a level 10 instead of a higher level one.

Yes, but trading a level 12 terrible utility for a level 10 good utility is a lot different from trading a level 16 or 22 for a 10.

 

[Danceofmasks]

Well, if you're going to compare a difference in utility powers vs. powers' level + paragon feature ability ...
I know for a fact that as a fighter, +1 to hit on every single attack roll I will ever make till the end of my epic career is priceless ... no paragon multiclassing is going to beat that.
+1 AC and damage bonus from pit fighter? Awesome.

These are static bonuses that make all your actions (or defenses) better.

Having power options is really cool, and fun, and I'd even do it myself (with my silly paladin/warlock), but it's underpowered by a huge margin.

 

[Gladius Legis]

Paragon multi-classing is only bad if you really need the paragon path powers.

You forgot about the PP features, which often make a PP worth taking even regardless of its powers.

In the end, its actually slightly more powerful, especially for a human since they get three at wills they can easily swap one of their primary at wills for one from their secondary classes.

Which is almost universally worthless, except for perhaps Twin Strike, but even that's not worth giving up PP features.

In the most cases, paragon options aren't that great(unless you are a wizard or multiclass wizard, since Bloodmage is terribly overpowered).

Uh, no. And Blood Mage, while great, isn't "OMG teh broken!"

Especially the encounter and and utility powers, which for paragon paths pretty much universally suck.

False. Very false, as you'll see below.

Paragon multi-classing is also the only way you can get two utility powers from the same class on the same level. Which can be handy(E.G. a paragon multi-classed paladin could take clensing spirit and turn the tide for lots of making saves goodness. Or, you can have pray for more, woo, re-roll damage as an encounter power.

Funny that you picked Astral Weapon as an example, which is almost universally considered the weakest Paladin PP, to make your "point." There is NO Lv. 7 Paladin power I'd take in place of Champion of Order's Certain Justice, the Hospitaler's Warding Blow or the Justiciar's Just Radiance.

As for Utilities, None Shall Pass and Strike Me Instead are both great and probably better than most Paladin 10s.

A paragon multi rogue can pick up shadow stride and another 10th level utility

Meditation of the Blade (Daggermaster) and Bad Idea, Friend (Shadow Assassin) are both better utilities than any Rogue 10 utility other than Shadow Stride.

, A paragon multi-warlord can pick up tactical shift and defensive rally,

Bolt Of Genius (Battle Captain) is awesome.

and i shouldn't have to mention how awesome it would be to have two wizard lvl 10 utilities.)

Your spellbook allows you to know two utilites per level, anyway (three with a feat), you just have to change them with an extended rest. But aside from that, Arcane Rejuvenation (Battle Mage) is awesome, and Sudden Storm (Spellstorm Mage) is a solid tactical spell that has some nice uses both in and out of combat.

 

[Gladius Legis]

I don't mind that the actual powers gained at 11th, 12th, and 20th level are a bit weaker than the ones in PPs, because you choose them from a big list, so you gain a lot in flexibility for the loss of raw powers. But I wish paragon multiclassing also gave you an 11th level action point feature, and a potent 16th level feature.

Yes.