Yeah, good point - the -1 helps with dips that are enhanced by PB scaling but doesn't solve the issue of other class-defining 1st level features being over-accessible to other classes as a 1 level dip. Stalker0's X levels in a class before you can dip into another feels far cleaner in addressing the source of the problem. I'm warming to 3 levels in a class if you want to keep them if you gain levels in another class.
Yeah but when you have to consistently alter enemy types and tactics to deal with one guy in your party, that's a problem in of itself; you're actually warping the campaign around their build. Some people are ok with this, I, personally am not.
Oh I agree but recurring villains can learn weaknesses. Also giving enemies a pet dire wolf or similar beast can often be plausible without looking like you are targetting the character specifically. It might be possible for a spellcaster to use Gust of Wind to move the dwarf out of melee range. If a few enemies can escape they can spread the word to other evil minions.
Um, whether or not you look like you are targeting that player specifically, in this example you are targeting the character specifically, lol.
If you build varied encounters, some of those are going to target characters' weaknesess just be reason of them having weaknesses. That's not the same as targeting a character specifically. Giving an enemy a dire wolf pet is not the same as giving them a dire wolf pet that only targets the character with the low strength. It's throwing in a potential challenge for that melee character to overcome. How they do that is part of the game.
I do sympathise mind you but the shoe is on the other foot for me. My character has been converted each edition, starting out as a human rogue (scout) dual classed with wizard (starting at level 0) turned shadow mage in 2e and converted each edition. Currently she is a swashbuckler, tome warlock, shadow sorcerer and is fun to play even if she lacks oomph. Her thunder was stolen somewhat when a new warlock character came in, min/maxed, cherry picking many of the same abilities that she had so that he does everything better. But because my character stats were designed to meet the 2e rules, she is highly intelligent (not now needed) and her charisma and dexterity are mediocre. At least she has personality.
Her stats were in the right place when she was rolled! And she is perfectly functional with 16 dex and 16 cha. I like that she's intelligent. That is its own reward. But I played through those levels and it's frustrating that a min maxer can avoid all the pitfalls for a brand new high level character. Luckily I am also a DM so letting other players enjoy the limelight is fine. We are customising ways to boost her situationally like a dark gift from Ravenloft or maybe the Dragonlance black wizard feat.
Some players like the notion of multiclassing simultaneously in two classes so restricting it to 5th level seems unnecessary, although there some 'multiclass light' feats that give a flavour that might be made available at level 1. The multiclass section does allow some customisation of class feature allocation at level 1 so this could be tightened. Another option might be to take problematic class features and delay them by siloing them in multiclass feats that you can only take with X number of levels in a class. If they are that awesome, power gamers will still want to take them with the feat tax. The multiclass section would just say at level X you do not gain Y class feature but you may take Z feat.
Sure, 3rd option can be that you must always keep two classes(or more) within one level of each other. That is, 3rd level is then latest for multiclass.
It's definitely a vibe that gets felt more & more strongly but that gets into a rant
... Ttrpgs usually split somewhat into some form of point buy structure or some form of class type structure & both have their benefits/drawbacks. Class based games avoid some of the learning curve & ease of abuse that are often present with pointbuy & it often comes with a bit of frontloading of classes. I don't think that front loaded classes simply existing are a problem that needs to be changed but frontloaded & overly front loaded classes that improve without equipment gating or class level gating in a system that makes it trivial to have multiple baskets of frontloaded features at minimal cost or investment is definitely an awful combo.
I don't think those changes actually do much. All they really manage to do is ensure that multiclass sips tend to start at the levels where thebindip class has its full core toolkit so expanding the dip from one or two levels to four levels presents a near zero cost. A MC subsystem change needs to be fr more comprehensive than that deck chair moving head in the sand bandaid.
Some players also like getting 3 feats and full plate armor at 1st level. Players always want MOAR POWA.
Multiclass feats:
The multiclass rules already detail the things you do and don't get at level 1. Adding a couple of extra restrictions for problematic class features awarded at level 1 or at higher levels would not require massive investment beyond a second page in the multiclass section. It might be that restricting certain class features that grant stackable features with uses based off your proficiency bonus could be changed to half your proficiency bonus for example.
