Speculation: Half-Elf Racial ability

[Lord Ernie]

I'm not sure if this has been suggested elsewhere, but more than a few times over the forums I've seen the idea that a half-elf gets a bonus at-will power based on another class' encounter power. This idea is based on the half-elf pregen for D&DXP, which had a wizard at-will power as an encounter power.

Now... I'm actually thinking it works slightly differently. Based on the D&DXP pregen and the rumour suggested someplace a while back (I don't remember where) that half-elves would be 'good at multi-classing' I looked back at the multi-classing excerpt and spotted the wizard multi-class initiate feat:

Arcane Initiate
Prereq: Int 13
Benefits: Arcana skill, wizard power 1/encounter

My suggestion as to the half-elf multi-class ability, then, is this:
A half-elf may pick a multi-class feat as a bonus feat at first level for which they meet the prerequisites.

This would fit quite well with the pregen, as she certainly meets the prerequisites for the feat. The only thing that she doesn't have is the skill training... for which I have no explanation. However, she does have a wizard at will power as an encounter power, which does follow the benefits from Arcane Initiate.

Maybe even in addition to this, they might get the advantage that they can multi-class with two other classes, but that might be going a bit far.

Thoughts?

 

[muffin_of_chaos]

I'd certainly like it to be that way.

 

[beverson]

Mike Mearls popped in not long ago and confirmed that it's pick an At Will from any other class and use it as an encounter power....

 

[Lord Ernie]

Mike Mearls popped in not long ago and confirmed that it's pick an At Will from any other class and use it as an encounter power....

Ah... in that case, my apologies. I had missed that, and figured this might be a likely alternative. Nothing to see here...

 

[gribble]

A half-elf may pick a multi-class feat as a bonus feat at first level for which they meet the prerequisites.

I know it's already been rebutted, but this doesn't really seem as good to me. Especially given that a human gets a bonus feat in addition to other stuff. I.e.: unless there's language to specifically prohibit humans from taking a multiclass feat at first level it's pretty sub-optimal in comparison to what humans get...

 

[zoroaster100]

I like that the half-elf can pick at at-will from another class as an encounter power. That is the only way to get an at-will from another class apparently. The multiclass feats let you get encounter and daily abilities but not at-will powers, if I remember correctly. So with a half-elf, you can better get the flavor of the other class you are multiclassing with by combining your racial ability with multiclass feats.

 

[gribble]

Agreed, I like it too.

 

[Storminator]

I know it's already been rebutted, but this doesn't really seem as good to me. Especially given that a human gets a bonus feat in addition to other stuff. I.e.: unless there's language to specifically prohibit humans from taking a multiclass feat at first level it's pretty sub-optimal in comparison to what humans get...

Only half-elves will get to have powers from 3 classes, if they want it tho. That's pretty sweet.

And an extra encounter power is pretty fantastic.

Overall, half-elves look like they will be a very well rounded character, which makes them very useful in small parties.

PS

 

[Cadfan]

If they get a floating +2 to any stat, AND +2 cha, then there's no room for complaints about power level. This may not seem like much of a bonus, but I assure you, it is huge.