Simple solution to multiclassing problem

[Grayhawk]

Not sure if this should go in House Rules. Also, if someone has suggested this exact way of handling the problem, please ignore me

One problem with multiclassing that pops up here from time to time, is the way the stacking of BAB and saves work:

Ignoring the playability of the following build, a Bard/Cleric/Monk/Sorcerer (one level of each) wil have a BAB of +0 but saves of +4/+4/+8.

Simple solution:

Classes who has +0 BAB at first level actually gets +0.5. This doesn't have to be taken into consideration until you take a level in another class with +0 BAB, at which time the two add up to BAB +1.

For saves, only grant the +2 a first level class gets in his good saves if it's also your character's starting level (much like you get more skill points at your starting level). Otherwise change this to a +1.

Assuming the character above started play as a Bard, his stats would change to the following:

BAB of +2 and saves of +2/+3/+5

Below I'll write up the BAB and saves of a 4th level single-classed character of each class, for your convenience:

Bard: BAB +3, saves +1/+4/+4
Cleric: BAB +3, saves +4/+1/+4
Monk: BAB +3, saves +4/+4/+4
Sorc: BAB +2, saves +1/+1/+4

To me, this way of handling the stacking seems way better balanced. What do you think?

 

[I'm A Banana]

Seems pretty flawless to me...but then, I don't have a problem with 5th level characters with a BAB of +0 anyway (they can buff themselves if they've got a problem with it! )

This seems more balanced, though, so works great as a solution if you're worried about that.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

To me, this way of handling the stacking seems way better balanced. What do you think?

I'm not sure I see a problem with excessive multiclassing.

I think your mechanic is absolutely fine, I just think I'm lost as to what the problem is with a guy with a BAB of +0 but has awesome saves.

 

[Crothian]

For BAB what I would do is use the fractional system. Classes either get +1, +3/4, or +1/2 depending on their progression.

 

[Grayhawk]

I'm not sure I see a problem with excessive multiclassing.

I think your mechanic is absolutely fine, I just think I'm lost as to what the problem is with a guy with a BAB of +0 but has awesome saves.

To be honest, it has never been a problem in my own games (my players rarely multiclass).

But I've seen it mentioned as a problem by some, so I'm just offering what I thought was an elegant solution.

(I believe someone suggested something like this before, maybe Sean.K. Reynolds - but I couldn't find it on his site.)

 

[Steverooo]

Multiclassing the Old-Fashioned Way

Given my "druthers", I'd do multiclassing like this:

You choose your multiclasses at first level. Every level, you get the better of BABs, Saves, skill points, etc. from each class, but don't add them together. Skills and abilities come from all classes. Levels are gained at nearly the same XP (see below).

Thus, a First-level Fighter/Wizard/Rogue has +1 BAB, +2 Fortitude/Reflex/Will, 8 skill points, a Fighter Bonus Feat, Simple, Martial, and Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Hand Crossbow), Light, medium, and Heavy Armor Proficiencies, and Scribe Scrolls, plus whatever else a first-level rogue gets. Skill points can be spent on pretty much any skill, as long as it's on the Fighter's, Wizard's, or Rogue's skill list... Yup, this is about the best build in the game... Now for the bad news...

Subtract 20% from XP, forever, for having three classes. Dual-classed is 10%.

The F/W/R, above, is slightly better than a Druid or Monk, due to the BAB & Skill Points, and represents the "Worst Case" abuse of multiclassing. Basically, you couldn't get more powerful than this, as no matter how many multiclasses you add, you don't gain any better saves, BAB, nor skill points. You could get other special abilities, assuming alignment restrictions are met.

The 10% penalty/multiclass might need work, as I haven't tried it in play. Just another idea...

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

Another way to do it is to allow all classes with similar charts to stack their levels. For instance, a Rogue 1/Bard 1/Monk 1/Cleric 1/Druid 1 would have the same BAB as a 5th level rogue, instead of a BAB of 0.

Then again, I've never heard too many people complain about this. I'm a lot more worried about multiclass spellcasting, but can't think of an easy way to fix that.

 

[jmucchiello]

You choose your multiclasses at first level. Every level, you get the better of BABs, Saves, skill points, etc. from each class, but don't add them together. Skills and abilities come from all classes. Levels are gained at nearly the same XP (see below).

This is interesting but doesn't really allow for prestige classes.

 

[jmucchiello]

My first double post! Woot!

 

[Tonguez]

Take Terry Pratchetts 'Rincewind' - nomanially a Wizzard but in reality a multiclass Commoner2/Wizard 0/Expert4/PrColtroon*8/PrCemon-by-Proxy1

BAB +0 Will5/Fort4/Reflx10 Init+10 AC 40+

(all the above are just guesses of course)

*and Ain't Poltroon a cool word? - and what would this PrC look like?